Saoirse on a screen near you

Saoirse Sullivan, 17, was selected as one of 20 graduates to take part in the campaign following her amazing aptitude, which was recognised during her time on the programme, and the enthusiasm Saoirse has shown since, in encouraging more young people to sign up to NCS after spending last summer taking part in the four week programme.

After being named as an NCS Leader in October 2015, Saoirse was invited to take part in an advertising and photo shoot in London shot by Creative Director, Giorgio Testi, who has worked with some of the most culturally important bands and brands in the world, including The Rolling Stones, Oasis, Adele, Adidas, Red Bull and Converse.

The television advertisement shows friends from NCS being reunited to relive their NCS experiences through 360° projections of footage filmed during the programme.

It first aired on January 17 on ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky as well and run until the end of February, as well as in cinemas throughout February.

Saoirse says: “NCS was one of the best experiences of my life and I can’t believe I’ve been able to relive it all over again as part of the advertising shoot. What started as four weeks of my summer holidays has resulted in lifelong friendships, a new found confidence in stepping out of my comfort zone and an amazing experience that will stay with me forever.

“I’d say to any young person considering taking part in the programme to sign up straight away. You may be feeling apprehensive, but remember that everyone else is in the same position too!”

Saoirse is just one of hundreds of teenagers who’ve taken part in NCS in Milton Keynes. The four week part-residential programme is open to 16 and 17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland and costs no more than £50. It aims to help young people take the next step in their lives with confidence by mixing with other young people, learning practical skills that prepare them for life after school and home and taking on exciting challenges.

The first week is spent at an outward bound facility participating in activities such as abseiling, water rafting and canoeing. The second week teens live away from home, typically at local university halls of residence, learning how to be self-sufficient, developing new skills and finding out more about the needs of their local community.

More than 200,000 young people have taken part in the government-backed programme since it started in 2011.

Zoe Clark, NCS Relationship Manager says: “It’s so great to have one of our graduates involved in this exciting advertising campaign.

“Like hundreds of other young people that come through NCS every year, Saoirse came out of the programme feeling empowered and eager to spread the word.

“From abseiling and rock climbing to living away from home to running your own community project–this campaign brings to life what NCS is all about through the voices of the young people that have transformed their own lives through the NCS programme.

“We hope it will encourage teens to sign up for this year’s programme, which is set to be our biggest yet.”

Readers can see Saoirse on screen until March 13.

To find out more information about NCS or to sign up to NCS visit NCSyes.co.uk

You can also find NCAS on Facebook at facebook.com/ncs, follow it on Twitter @ncs, on Instagram or Snapchat at NCSYES, or subscribe to the NCSYes channel on YouTube.