County's NCS stars host day to remember for local families

Children and families receiving support from Oxfordshire charities were treated to a special day out by graduates of the county's National Citizen Service scheme.

The teenagers, who raised nearly £40,000 for local causes during their summer course, hired an open-top sight-seeing bus as a treat for their guests.

Passengers included service users of Helen and Douglas House children's hospice, learning disability charity Yellow Submarine and Asylum Welcome.

NCS graduates joined their guests on a memorable open-top bus ride to take in the sights of Oxford

"Brilliant day"

NCS Community Engagement Officer for the county council Jon Clark said: "It was a brilliant day out for everyone involved. The young NCS graduates who set this up just wanted to give something back to local young people and give them a day to remember."

The council's Chairman Cllr Zoe Patrick welcomed the young graduates and their guests outside County Hall, before the hour-long sight-seeing tour set off to take in some of Oxford's most famous landmarks.

Coffee and pizza was provided by sponsors Starbucks and Dominos, and City Sightseeing Oxford also hired out one of their buses at a cut price to support the event, which took place on Saturday, 17 March.

NCS in Oxfordshire

The NCS in Oxfordshire has grown each year and has earned a reputation as one of the country’s leading schemes. The course provides a unique blend of outdoor education, social action projects and workshops, boosting the confidence and personal development of thousands of young people in Oxfordshire, and providing valuable skills for work and life.

Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services Steve Harrod said: "Our NCS graduates are a credit to their families and local communities, and this was a wonderful way for the class of 2017 to sign off.

"We’re very proud of the fact that our Oxfordshire NCS programme brings together young people from all backgrounds, achieving a real social mix in which stereotypes are challenged and lifelong friendships are made. I’d like to wish all the young people the very best of luck in whatever they go on to do next.”

Applications for NCS Summer 2018

Places are still available for all 16 -17 year old’s from across the county to join this year's NCS programme. Anyone interested in applying or finding out more about what the course has to offer, should visit our web page www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ncs or call 01865 328200.