Neither is there any enthusiasm among young people I work with. Those who have heard about it seem to assume it's something to do with the Army Cadets - one said he didn't want to spend next summer standing in line and getting shouted at.
Attempting to counter the militaristic overtones of national service, the government's project outline focuses on community action and voluntary work. But it falls into the trap of tokenistic participation, laying out a packaged programme for young people to consume without any real input.
Other elements are just bemusing. The brief states that "a set of structured tasks involving visiting and helping the local community" will "be completed in a residential setting away from home". Is it facetious to ask how the young people will help their "local" community while staying miles away?
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