FAQs for Parents and Guardians
Is there a deadline for applications?
How much does it cost to take part in NCS?
What should a parent/guardian do if the participant can’t attend?
Can parents and guardians visit during the NCS programme?
Where do participants stay at night?
What ratio of staff to participants is there?
What happens if a participant is homesick?
What is the provision for Ramadan?
How do you make sure the programme is safe for young people?
Is the NCS programme inclusive for all young people?
Do you insure personal belongings?
Is there a deadline for applications?
Places are limited for the FF NCS Programme 2012, Apply now! so that your child don’t miss out!
How much does it cost to take part in NCS?
The Future Foundations NCS programme is a once in a life time opportunity. We only ask participants to contribute £50 to take part as the scheme is part government funded. This includes all costs throughout the duration of the programme – food, accommodation and activities.
NCS is an inclusive programme. A limited number of bursaries are available. For more information about bursaries see our ‘Apply Now’ page. Alternatively, please contact the FF team for more information on 0203 432 3450 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
How can I pay?
We accept payment by the following methods: PayPal, electronic payment (BACS) or by cheque (online/telephone). You will be prompted during the registration process for payment. To find out more about the registration process please see our ‘Apply Now!’ page.
What should a parent/guardian do if the participant can’t attend?
Demand for places is high, so please let us know as soon as possible if your child cannot attend so that we can make the space available to someone else. In the event of a cancellation, please see our cancellation policy .
Can parents and guardians visit during the NCS programme?
All parents and guardians are invited to attend ‘The Parent Showcase’ event at the end of the week 2, which will be hosted at a university local to you.
Where do participants stay at night?
The first residential will be at Wellington College in Berkshire. Participants will be camping and staying in school boarding houses during the week. Boys and girls will stay in same sex accommodation and tent areas which will be kept separate from each other. Staff will be on duty rota at night times to ensure the safety of participants.
The second residential week will be at a local university (see ‘Where & When’ for more details) which is in/close to your home city. Participants will be staying in university accommodation, boys and girls staying in same sex accommodation. Participant will have their own rooms in separate floors and/or corridors to the opposite sex. Participants will only have key access to their own floor/corridor and room.
Future Foundations are very excited to being hosting this part of the programme at universities venues. It is a great opportunity for participants to sample life at university whilst being mentored from students of that university. Same sex staff will perform duty rotas in accommodation blocks during this week.
How will participants travel?
Participants will travel to and from Wellington College by a specially hired coach. During weeks 2 and 3, participants will travel mostly by public transport, minibus, or on foot. Participants will be accompanied by staff during all journeys.
What ratio of staff to participants is there?
Future Foundations is looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with all young people on the NCS programme. With a staff ratio of 1 staff member to every 5 participants, the programme offers a great opportunity for participants to make the most of support and mentoring throughout the NCS experience.
Participants will progress through the programme in teams of 16, with a team coach and at least two mentors supporting each team. In addition, each regional group of students will be supported by a Team Leader and Assistant Team Leaders to ensure that all needs are catered for throughout the duration of the programme.
Team coaches are experienced and trained facilitators who work supporting the personal development of adults and young people though key life stages.
Team mentors are university/SIFE students who have a lot of experience in implementing their own social action projects and who have also had experience of working with young people.
What happens if a participant is homesick?
Should a participant become homesick, we would look to find the best possible solution with both the participant and parent/guardian. We would discuss the issue with both parties and do all we can to help the participant complete the programme.
What is the provision for Ramadan?
Future Foundations have put arrangements in place to support students observing Ramadan during the summer. For more information please click here .
How do you make sure the programme is safe for young people?
Future Foundations takes the safety of all young people and staff involved in programmes very seriously. For more information on how we ensure everyone’s safety please see the ‘Ensuring Safety’ page .
Is the NCS programme inclusive for all young people?
FF is committed to making the programme accessible to as many young people as possible. We are able to accommodate a large range of special needs as long as we are informed of them during the application process. If you would like to discuss any questions regarding inclusivity, then please contact a member of the Future Foundations NCS management team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 0203 432 3450
What should my child bring?
FF will supply all specialist equipment. We will supply an equipment list of what your child should bring once your application has been successful. If you have any questions regarding equipment, please contact a member of the Future Foundations NCS management team at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 0203 432 3450
Do you insure personal belongings?
We are not able to insure personal belongings brought onto the programme. For this reason, we do not recommend that participants bring any expensive pieces of equipment or unnecessary valuables on to the programme (e.g. mobile phones, jewellery, electronics) Participants do so at their own risk and FF will not be held liable in the event that any item or money goes missing
Important Information:
Welcome Booklet [3MB]
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Testimonial : Participant
I feel more confident when I am part of a larger group now that I have taken part in NCS and I have found that I can join in team tasks by finding a specific role for myself that I am comfortable with and that helps the group complete their task. I am going to still be involved with The Children’s Society after NCS finishes as part of a young people’s steering group helping to support the new project and give young people’s views on what they are doing. I think it is a brilliant idea to do this.
Daniel Jenkins, Billingham
Testimonial : Participant
Throughout the NCS programme my communication skills have developed and I have communicated with a range of people that I did not know before the NCS programme. I also learnt that I do not need to follow the crowd and I am able to make my own decisions. I would like to keep giving to the community and I have spoken to my workers to say that I would like to become a volunteer for the NCS programme for next year if this is possible.
Kirby Weegram, Hartlepool
