The former prime minister is taking on a voluntary role within a third sector young persons organisation
Former Prime Minister David Cameron has a new job and it’s in the third sector.
A month after he stood down as Member of Parliament, Cameron has announced he is taking on the role of Chairman of the National Citizen Service (NCS) patrons.
NCS is a fantastic example of the positive and inspirational role young people can play in our modern, vibrant society - David Cameron
The UK-wide young person’s volunteering service was set up by Cameron in government in a bid to encourage 16 and 17 year olds to volunteer.
Writing on his Facebook page, Cameron said that creating the programme was “one of my proudest achievements”.
“I often get stopped in the street by parents who tell me what a difference NCS has made in the lives of their children; and I regularly receive letters from young people who have so enjoyed taking part themselves,” he wrote.
“From the pilot projects that I began as leader of the opposition to the full-scale programme that we have today, more than 275,000 young people have now taken part in what has become the fastest growing youth movement of its kind anywhere in the world.”
The programme sees 16 and 17 year olds from across the country come together for around four weeks, usually in the summer.
First, they complete an outdoor challenge – usually staying away from home – that takes them outside their comfort zone and makes them work in teams.
Then they live together back in their local area, learning from local businesses and community leaders and developing skills for working life, from preparing a budget to delivering a presentation.
Finally, they make their own mark by planning and delivering a voluntary social action project that gives something back to their community.
Referring back to his flagship Big Society project, which many later said had failed, Cameron added: “Overall, NCS is a fantastic example of the positive and inspirational role young people can play in our modern, vibrant society. It is the Big Society in action.
“I am delighted that my first role in my life after politics is to continue my association with this fantastic programme by becoming Chairman of NCS Patrons, bringing together a senior cross-party and cross-sector group of patrons and ambassadors who can help NCS to reach more young people.”
Cameron made the announcement on the same day that the Westminster government introduced the National Citizen Service Bill.
The bill aims to create a Royal Charter to secure the NCS Trust as a permanent national institution that can ultimately offer a place on NCS to every 16 and 17 year old in the UK.
