National Citizen Service provides young people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to take on new challenges, learn new skills and make a difference - an opportunity which is completely free with JLGB. You can go on holiday, watch the Olympics and still have the time to join us for NCS! Experience adventure activities outdoors, and develop new talents that you'd never imagined. You'll take part in a skills-building week where you'll learn anything from cookery to event management! What matters to you in your community? You'll meet a fantastic cross-section of local 16 year-olds and you'll work as a team to tackle a social action project of your choice. It may be a renovation, environmental or design project, producing a film promoting your local area, fundraising for a youth centre, elderly care or a hospital...you decide.

You will - gain confidence; learn new talents; meet new friends; challenge yourself.
You won't - get bored!

The NCS actively promotes a cohesive society, a responsible society and a more engaged society and we want you to be part of it - and the best part of all? It's 100% FREE!

NCS is a government funded scheme and it is completely free to take part in. As a sign of commitment from the you, we do ask for a payment of £50 upon application which will be returned to them upon completion of the scheme. However, since there should be no barriers to participation, in circumstances of genuine hardship assistance with this payment can be arranged

NCS has four main and distinct phases, all of which need to be completed in order to graduate from the scheme. It comprises three full-time weeks (not weekends)

The first week is a residential stay, Monday - Friday, at an outward bound activity centre in Essex. The second week is residential also, and takes place from Monday - Friday at a local campsite. Week three also avoids the weekend, and you will be based at a local school and returning home each night. The fourth section is a 30 hour social action project - the exact times of when these 30 hours will be completed are to be decided between individual members of your group, so you may decide to do it over a long weekend, or over a few weeks after school etc.

NCS is designed specifically for those in year 11 or 12.

Whilst applications are ongoing, places are filling up fast. To be sure that you and your friends get a place - sign up now!

The easiest way to apply is online, but if you would like a paper copy of the application form, or to apply on the phone then please contact us on 020 8989 5743.

JLGB's NCS programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, and we work hard to remove barriers to participation for young people. We have highly experienced support staff who are trained to work with young people who have a variety of needs - please do not hesitate to call or email us to find out how we can best accommodate you/a young person you care for.

JLGB have been providing religiously sensitive activities and camps for Jewish young people for 116 years, and understand fully the need for adherence to specific religious dietary laws. For NCS we will be working with Caterplus, a hugely versatile catering company who are able to meet the dietary requirements of a wide variety of dietary needs. You will have the opportunity to state dietary preferences upon application, and whilst representatives from Caterplus will be available to talk to on induction days, do feel free to call or email and discuss any queries.

GCSE results come out on Thursday 23rd August. The programme finishes after breakfast on the Thursday morning which should allow participants to be collected from the camp site to pick up their results.

Groups will be put together according to their choice of skill, please let us know if you wish to be with a friend and we will to our best to make it happen.