Groundwork To Deliver NCS In Wigan And St Helens

National Citizen Service (NCS) is set to expand its delivery network to include hundreds of partners, including Groundwork, who will now be a delivery partner in Wigan as well as St Helens, in a move that will provide better value and experience for young people across England and Northern Ireland.

Charities, activity centres, football clubs and local cricket clubs are all part of the new network dedicated to making NCS an unforgettable experience for young people.

Programme costs are expected to reduce by 30% in real terms by 2024 when compared with the programme’s creation in 2009. This saving has been achieved by utilising economies of scale, removing duplication and reducing overheads.

NCS Trust will now manage delivery of NCS in three areas – the south west, north east and London – with four partners overseeing six other regions. These partners are Reed, Ingeus, EFL Trust and new partner, Manchester-based social enterprise, The Growth Company, who will oversee delivery in the North West.

Groundwork has been a delivery partner for NCS in St Helens since 2015. During this time, it has supported over 800 young people to complete the programme, raising £39,000 for local charities through social action projects.

Michael Lynas, Chief Executive, NCS Trust, said the recommissioning will “tie together learnings from the last ten years. Using the Trust’s experience to provide better value for money and linking it with our passion for serving local communities.

“In addition to cost savings through economies of scale the new network will also provide dedicated community engagement partners who will work with our partners and local councils to ensure that the unique needs of young people across England and Northern Ireland are met.

“I’m incredibly proud of everything that NCS has achieved in the last ten years. As it moves into the next phase of its life, I’m confident NCS can make a more significant difference for our young people and their communities than ever before.”

Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of The Growth Company, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been awarded this contract for NCS delivery across the North West. It’s a fantastic opportunity that will enable us, in collaboration with our local delivery partners, to reach more than 15,000 16-17 year olds across the region each year. I’m confident it will complement our existing provision for young people and make a real and lasting difference to those whose futures will be greatly enhanced by their NCS journey.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Feeling part of a local community can bring huge benefits for young adults, both personally and academically. It is great that NCS will be funding a network of small, local organisations here in Greater Manchester and across the country to deliver great experiences that truly reflect local priorities and resonate with young adults. Here in Greater Manchester young people are at the heart of our future plans and we want them to work with us to ensure they have the access to all the support and opportunities they need to get on in life.”

Colin Greenhalgh, Programme Director for Employment and Skills at Groundwork said: “We are extremely proud to be a delivery partner for NCS in both St Helens and now Wigan. Like Groundwork, NCS is all about encouraging and enabling young people to achieve their true potential and take social action to improve communities. We are really looking forward to being part of a delivery network that will help to change places and change lives.”