On the back of an amazing summer 2016 NCS program with Rotherham United, Emma Thompson was successfully selected to take part in the National NCS Leaders week. A program ran by the NCS Trust in which a group of young people from across England and Northern Ireland were chosen to take part in a jam packed week in London. Emma was shortlisted from 10,000 applicants to one of 107 which is an amazing achievement in itself.
The NCS Trust sent Emma a train ticket, Oyster Card and information of her travel, as well as an information pack for herself and her parents ahead of the program. This was the first time Emma had travelled alone which she said was, ‘nerve racking but exciting,’
On the departure day Emma excitedly boarded her train to London wondering what the experience would hold in store. Emma recollects arriving in London to “lots of friendly faces from the NCS illumine” who guided all of the graduates to the NCS trusts offices in Kensington.
Throughout the week the Graduates had a variety of exciting experiences and attended a number of events planned by the NCS Trust to broaden their knowledge and develop their skills. The group were given a tour of parliament and were fortunate enough to meet the local MP John Heeley. During the visit the group were also fortunate enough to experience an audience with the Inspirational one hand pianist, Nicholas McCarthy, who shared his story with the group, and encouraged them to never give up on their dreams.
There was lots of fun to be had too during the Leaders week with the young people taking on the London challenge where the groups had to navigate themselves around the city, completing a variety of fun challenges. This gave the group chance to put the skills learnt on NCS during summer into practice whilst further developing their teamwork, communication and social skills.
Emma told me how astonished she was at how the NCS programme has developed her “Before NCS I was shy and timid and would never speak up in a group. I can’t believe that 6 months on I have just delivered a presentation to Michael Lynas the CEO of the NCS Trust in Central London. I am so proud of everything that I have achieved and truly believe that if you want something enough anything is possible”.
Tony Buck,Youth Engagement Officer for the English Football League explained, ‘the long-term vision for Leaders week is that we invest into a small group of NCS grads, to train, equip and expose them to experiences that will develop them as leaders. The time and commitment NCS invest into these young people provides them with the skills, and confidence to go back to their regional youth boards and local providers as leaders, to inspire other young people to continue to use the skills they developed on NCS in their local communities. Tony stated ‘I didn’t know Emma prior to Leaders week but having worked with her on the week and since. I can wholeheartedly say that Emma is one of the strongest members of the Regional Youth Board and I am convinced she will continue to achieve great things through her continued involvement in NCS.’
Rotherham United CST are proud to be the leading provider within the Yorkshire and Humberside region with a staggering 111% turn up against sign up rate. We are now recruiting for our summer 2017 programs. Over half of our places have already gone, with wave 1 being completely sold out. To express interest or for any queries, please contact The NCS Team on 01709 827767 orncs@rotherhamunited.net. “NCS…it all starts at YES!”