Young people get the chance to tackle climate change through National Citizen Service (NCS)

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Leading environmental charity Global Action Plan has been selected to run a National Citizen Service (NCS) pilot scheme in 2012. Up to 30,000 16-year-olds will have the chance to benefit from the scheme, a three-fold increase on the number of places in 2011.

Global Action Plan will be sharing their proven, positive engagement and behaviour change methods with young people who will be implementing creative sustainability projects in their local communities. This will empower NCS participants by giving them new skills and enabling them to have a positive impact in their community.

NCS aims to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people from different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities. It is a voluntary programme for 16-year-olds which focuses on their personal and social development which includes challenging activities, from away-from-home residential experiences to a self-designed social action project.

Trewin Restorick, CEO of Global Action Plan commented:
“89% of young people stated that they would like to see people living more sustainably.* Our NCS project will offer young people the opportunity to learn more about climate change and put sustainable living into practice in their communities.”

Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said:
“I’m delighted we can begin to roll this out further and move towards the Government’s ultimate goal to make this a rite of passage and give every 16-year-old the chance to get involved. The 2011 participants will undoubtedly reap the rewards of their hard work this summer and go on inspired to achieve great things.”

Notes to Editors
For further information or to arrange an interview with Trewin Restorick, please contact Louise Groom on 020 7420 4444, or email Louise.Groom[at]globalactionplan[dot]org.uk.

*Figure is taken from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1053 UK 16-24 year olds. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th January 2011. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 16-24. Copies of the research available – please see contact details above.

About Global Action Plan
Global Action Plan is the UK’s leading environmental behaviour change organisation and, since 1993, has helped businesses, schools, and communities reduce their carbon footprint to positively impact on the environment. Global Action Plan consistently achieves significant environmental and financial savings in the UK by empowering people to take action on energy, waste, water and transport. Global Action Plan is the only charity in the UK to be supported by the United Nations Environment Programme.

About the National Citizen Service
1. The Prime Minister announced National Citizen Service in July 2010. For further information see:
2. Negotiations are currently under way with other potential NCS service providers and we expect to make further announcements shortly. For more information on the nationwide NCS scheme and other service providers for 2012 please contact the Cabinet Office Press Office on 0207 276 0393.

Distributed on behalf of Global Action Plan by NeonDrum news distribution service (http://www.neondrum.com)

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