The hard work of young people across the country on the National Citizen Service was celebrated by the EFL Trust last week. Brentford FC Community Sports Trust engages thousands of young people aged 16 and 17, delivering National Citizen Service (NCS), programme funded by the Government. This is replicated by other community organisations across the country.

The EFL Trust, the charitable arm of the EFL, oversees the work of club community organisations and spent time last week rounding up the work done on the NCS programme. The NCS experience gives young people a clearer idea of what they want from their future. They take on fresh challenges, get a taste of independence and be given a platform to have their voices heard and deliver a social action project that will positively impact their local area.

This year's programmes have affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. This summer teenagers aged 15-17, responded by volunteering thousands of hours, to help rebuild their local community with ‘Keep Doing Good’ by NCS. Those due to go away this summer on NCS  volunteered in their local community to plan and deliver a social action project, leaving a positive impact by supporting local food banks, care homes or helping local charities get back up running.

A full look at some of the work done on the NCS programme this year can be seen on the EFL Trust Twitter feed here. You can also search for #NCS on social media. Some key case studies can be seen on the EFL Trust website.

Through the English Football League Trust, over 1.8 million hours of voluntary work has been delivered addressing local and national issues which young people are passionate about such as mental health, the environment and plastic waste. In partnership with EFL Trust, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust won the contract to deliver NCS from 2020 onwards joining 65 delivery partners that will be managed by EFL Trust. For more information, please email the Trust's NCS Manager at [email protected].