NCS was set up to address some of the most urgent challenges in society today: social cohesion, social engagement and social mobility. 15 to 17-year-olds join the programme to push themselves outside of their comfort zones to learn skills for work and life, often based around making a difference in their community.

It was a pleasure to visit the local National Citizen Service programme, based at East Berkshire College – Langley Campus to speak to participants preparing for these projects.

After a question and answer session, I heard about their experiences on the programme and their social action plans in local settings.