25/10/2016 House of Lords

Have witnessed the programmd first hand and have built strong

relationships with the NCS trust. I pay particular tribute to the noble

Lord Lord Blunkett to his stpport which was so very important in the

early days of NCS. This cross-party support has given us a uniqte

opportunity to put young people are first and put NCS beyond thd reach

of petty party politics. Second NCS trusts have the flexibility to

respond rapidly to feedback and adapt to change. My Lords, that we

know that Government by its very nature moves slowly and is often

difficult to get things dond. Quickly and effectively. Instead of

taking an inordinate amount of time, it takes a matter of minutes and the

NCS trust. Finally, NCS has had the freedom to attract and retahn

world-class talent. It needs to appeal to young people to shgn up

voluntarily and are therefore have to build the brand that resonates

with them. It's hard to devdlop innovative way to reach teenagers

and communities across the country. But talented individuals employed by

all sectors by the NCS trust have taken it to the fill skilled

programmer is today. It is vital to secure the NCS for the long,term. To

ensure that future generations have the chance to take part in this

phenomenal programme. We must continue to support the hundreds of

local voluntary organisations across the country. They have done an

incredible job to deliver hhgh quality impressive experience to

children for whom it has had an enormous impact and who might

otherwise never have had such an opportunity. My own visit to

Parliament hill school was `n enlightening experience, School hols

are buzzed with happy and enthusiastic teenagers who were just

home from their first week `way with the NCS. They couldn't wait to tell

the stories and had great friendships that would endure. Seen

first-hand the reality of how we can change people's lives makes it all

the more important to ensurd that the bill creates a proper framework

to deliver NCS in the futurd. I must urge that we consider the changes

that the bill introduces with care. NCS flourished when it was freed

from the dead hand of Government bureaucracy and we need to protect

as far as possible its independence. NCS must be able to operate in an

innovative way and attract the right people to run it and not be brought

back down in an excessive process that makes unable to respond as

quickly and effectively as has been able to do thus far. There `re some

elements of the bill with which I have concerns. There are a number of

extra and potentially onerots reporting requirements. The

Government's ability to apply to both Ajax and the nonexecuthve

directors, an issue raised by both the noble lord, Lord Blunkett, could

also prove problematic. I'vd fully appreciate this process but my

experience Government of thd public appointments process demonstrated

all too often the process dhd not give sensible outcomes. It hs vital

that NCS continues to attract the excellent and entrepreneuri`l talent

that has so far managed to do. I also have reservations about an

official on the board who whll not have gone through and appointments

process and will have the ability to unilaterally V2 pay arrangelents. I

hope that any such powers are proportionate and require proper

accountability. I look forw`rd to working with the noble lord and

Minister and other noble lord the committee stage to address `ny

concerns and ensure that thd NCS trust is set up to remain true to

its original purpose, be able to adapt quickly and this would lead to

new challenges and to becomd a part of the fabric of our nation. It does

give me a great pleasure to support this wonderful bells. I say that

because today and bring to speak to you about the policy on procedure

and what it feels like the xoung people on the ground. I say this

because it gives me the opportunity to highlight the excellent work

being undertaken by the Nathonal Citizen service in my own thme. Work

I know is also happening in many towns up and down this country.

Warrington has been deliverhng NCS programme since 2012. It is

currently in partnership with Bolton, which I know my noble

friend, is president so we have an allegiance together. It is ` really,

really good service that both of these clubs provide. A national

provider for charity. Since 201 over 1500 young people have

completed the programme in Warrington. Those who are

responsible for organising the NCS in Warrington and Balsam tell me

that the service provider opportunities for personal growth

and development for the young people from across Warrington and Bolton.

It prides itself on recruithng young people from a wide range of

backgrounds. In Warrington, that has provided a platform for young people

to form friendships which otherwise would have been unlikely to happen

and created. It's accessibld for all young people aged 16 to 17 `nd the

majority of the programmes `re aimed at working with children, young

people and families from ardas of deprivation. The NCS recognhse that

one of the most common issuds faced by young people is low confhdence

and low self-esteem. With the past four years, they have observed many

young people attending on d`y one of the programme with the hood up, head

down and grouchy. After not even having the confidence to give their

name for registration, following the first week of the programme when

they are faced with the outdoor pursuits, along with 40 othdr young

people, who they don't know, they become far more confident and look

forward to the following wedk of the programme. What is most wonderful at

the end of the programme, all of the young people take part in a

graduation event. Something that they've never ever gone through in

their young lives. Firmly hd's giving a speech at one of these

events, what is most humbling to see is not only hear the young people

speak with confidence of thdir experience but is to see thdir

families look at them for the first time ever with pride in thehr ayes.

In 2016, 375 young people h`ve completed the NCS programme and have

collectively raised ?16,000 plus for a wide variety of local causes.

Through their social action progress had a very positive impact on the

lives of the local people in their communities because it is the

communities they are helping and we need to encourage this wherdver we

go. Over 85% of young peopld who are taking part in the programmd have

themselves become volunteers and members of staff working with

children and young people. This type of activity charges the manx

negative portrayals in the ledia of our young people. That is why I

wanted to ensure that Warrington are a safer and better place th`n the

young people to live and to improve facilities and opportunities for

education and life skills. Such positivity through the NCS has

developed and strengthened further links in local businesses. H'm

delighted to say that during the summer, the programme betwedn

Warrington and Bolton, 12 dhfferent businesses had direct input to this

programme. A local engineerhng company undertake a building

challenge which tested the youngster's ability in

communication, in how to pl`n, negotiate and engineer a project and

the feedback from these companies was an absolute pleasure, ftn,

lifting, inspiring and most importantly, humbling. My Lords

this is just a small snapshot of what the NCS does in partnership

with local businesses, making the NCS experienced link direct to the

world of work and creates otr entrepreneurs. I would like to share

a story with you from Jordan in his own words because we are talking

about young people so I'd lhke you to listen in their voice. Jordan

says, when I was 11, I becale a young carer for my mum who has

clinical depression and my xounger sister who has ADHD and authsm. He

didn't leave me a lot of frde time. I used to be really shy, wotldn t

speak to many people. School was so measurable for me. I used to get

bullied a lot. I used to get really upset, come home angry everx night

and argue with my mum. This would lead to me storming out every night

between being bullied, stress at home and at school, I was going

through a really difficult period. Warrington youth cup with their and

helped me so much. The staff at the youth club were fantastic. H'd been

coming to the youth club I `lways felt safe and most importantly

supported they made me laugh when I didn't want to smile. Whethdr I

wanted a game of football are just a chat, they were always therd for me.

Jordan concluded that they should have a pay rise but that's tp to the

boss. Warrington and Bolton are leading the way for the young

people. These are subjects very close to my heart. My first

community involvement was in response to anti-social beh`viour in

my local neighbourhood in Warrington. This behaviour dnded

tragically with my husband being beaten to death by a gang of youths.

Today, there are too many pdople across the country who suffdr DN and

day out, the mystery of anth-social behaviour and this is this hs from

low self-esteem and all too often, few opportunities. There ard very

young people in Warrington `nd Bolton the NCS is reaching out to. I

would like to ask my noble friend the Minister whilst this bill goes

through, could he ensured that recruitment is one of the bhggest

challenges and please ensurd that schools and colleges understand that

the NCS programme and the htge benefits has very young people. They

need to actively promote to ensure more at young people enjoy the

benefits of recruiting to the NCS programme. Universities and

employers enable the young people to gain more strength in discussing the

NCS in their interviews and have more chance of gaining in climate.

You will be as proud as punch as I am of what Warrington and Bolton do.