Cameron takes on senior NCS role
Adam Offord
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Former Prime Minister David Cameron is to take on a senior role within the government's flagship National Citizen Service (NCS) it has emerged.
Cameron, who resigned as Prime Minister following the EU referendum result, and subsequently stood down as MP for Witney last month, said the programme was one if his "proudest achievements" in office and represents "the Big Society in action".
He will take on an unpaid role at the NCS Trust as chairman of NCS Patrons. Cameron said he will bring together a senior cross-party and cross-sector group of patrons and ambassadors who can help NCS reach more young people.
?The NCS programme was first piloted under the coalition government in 2011 and sees young people aged between 15 and 17 take part in a four-week programme involving an outdoor challenge, skills sessions and a social action project.
?Writing in The Telegraph, he said: "By bringing together expertise from every part of society we can embed NCS in our national fabric.
"We can support NCS Trust and its network of charities that do such an incredible job.
??"And we can continue to build this special movement - empowering our young people to be united in their diversity, with the skills to get on in life and the compassion to support each other.
"That is the vision for NCS that I had all those years ago when I first thought about developing the programme; and together we now have the opportunity to make it a reality for generations to come."??
??Cameron added that he is "delighted" that new Prime Minister Theresa May is "continuing the vital work to support NCS" and that the government is introducing the NCS Bill.
?"With cross-party support, this will create a Royal Charter to secure the NCS Trust as a permanent national institution that can ultimately offer a place to every 16- and 17-year-old," he added.
??"That should be our goal - not necessarily a compulsory programme, but one that is universally available and becomes a normal part of growing up for every teenager."
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Cabinet Office data published last year showed 57,609 young people participated in the programme in 2014, well below the 90,000 target set by Cameron as Prime Minister.? Figures for 2015 are not yet available.