Pompey in the Community (PitC) will engage with thousands of 16-17-year-olds by delivering National Citizen Service (NCS), a four-week programme funded by the government.
They won the contract to continue the delivery of the popular scheme from 2020 onwards, joining 65 other delivery partners that will be managed by the EFL Trust.
NCS is one of the fastest-growing youth programmes, connecting with 500,000 young people since its pilot in 2009.
The experience will give participants a clearer idea of what they want from their future. They will take on fresh challenges, get a taste of independence and be afforded a platform to have their voices heard, while also delivering a social action project that positively impacts their local area.
Through the EFL Trust, more than 1.8 million hours of voluntary work has been undertaken, addressing local and national issues which young people are passionate about, such as mental health, the environment and plastic waste.
PitC has delivered the NCS programme since 2012 and worked with more than 2,000 people in that time.
Those taking part have provided in excess of 120,000 hours of social action work in Portsmouth, including mental health awareness campaigns, renovating community centres and engaging with elderly care homes.
Jack Ancell graduated from NCS with PitC in the summer of 2018 and believes that the programme has changed his life.
He said: “NCS was one of the most amazing things I have done. I signed up because I wanted to try new things like water sports and learning life skills.
“I’ve got so much confidence from meeting and talking to new people, as well as leaning how to organise events which engage many people.
“My favourite part of NCS was carrying out our social action project, where we held a tea party for a group of people affected by dementia and created a short film to raise awareness for the condition.
“Since taking part, I have become a local and regional Youth Board Member. My one piece of advice for someone thinking of signing up is ‘just go for it’! Taking part in NCS was the best experience.”
"As a team, we are extremely delighted to have won the contract to deliver NCS for the next five years."
Katie Aris, head of NCS at PitC is delighted to be part of the new network of delivery partners.
She said: “As a team, we are extremely delighted to have won the contract to deliver NCS for the next five years.
“We are very proud of what we have all achieved since 2012 and are excited to be able to continue engaging and inspiring the young adults of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight through their NCS experience.”
Michael Lynas, chief executive of NCS Trust, added: “I’m incredibly proud of everything that NCS has achieved in the last 10 years.
“As it moves into the next phase of its life, I’m confident NCS can make a more significant difference for our young people and their communities than ever before.”