I am a huge believer in teaching our kids life skills, they are paramount to their growth and future contributions to society. I also believe there is only so much we can teach them as parents before we need to let them go and gain a few skills for themselves without our influence. Having grown up abroad I had the privilege of experiencing many diverse cultures first hand, and this is partly why I am so pleased to have been asked to share my thoughts on the NCS programme. It really will give our young people skills for life not just for summer.

My own daughter is 15 this year and is very keen to join next year’s programme. And to be honest so am I. Sure I can teach her how to iron, clean, cook and be a nice human but the proof as they say is in the pudding! How will the skills I have taught her fair when she is out there in the real world? How will she cope with cultural differences? I hope she embraces them as I have taught her, but until she is given the opportunity we won’t know for sure.

The NCS programme offers an opportunity for young people for diverse backgrounds the unique opportunity to share in a single experience. Helping them to become better individuals within their collective social groups and ultimately better citizens within wider society. And lets face it with the current state of media,