Have the summer of a lifetime.

SCHOOL leavers in Devon are being given the opportunity to participate in a pioneering new project aimed at getting young people involved in their local communities.

The Summer of a Lifetime programme is giving 16-year-olds the opportunity to take part in a range of activities and projects in collaboration with local communities and businesses.

It is part of a small handful of pilots being run across the country.

The National Citizen Service is the government’s flagship youth initiative currently piloted by 12 organisations across the UK. Young Devon and the Southwest Consortium, made a successful bid for one of these pilots with over 400 places available for those living in Devon.

Devon County Councillor Christine Channon, cabinet member for schools and skills, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for 16-year-olds to take part in a really exciting new programme, which will not only give them a summer of exciting activities and challenges, but will also provide them with a breadth of skills and knowledge to equip them for further education, work or training.

“We’re looking for young people to come forward with ideas about how they can involve whole communities in this project, and for private businesses and other community members to tell us what they would like to see in their areas, or how they can help young people with this programme.

“We’re delighted to be chosen as one of the pilot areas in the UK, which will provide us with the funding to enable us to deliver this programme, and showcase the creativity and talent of Devon’s young people.”

The project will take place during the summer holidays and run for three weeks full-time, including two weeks’ residential which could include activities such as abseiling, mountain biking, sea kayaking, quad biking, horse riding, canoeing, sailing, surfing, dance, and archery.

There will be a further 30 hours on a part-time basis, where young people will get the opportunity to design and deliver their own project in their local community, working with business leaders and other young people to improve their local area.

For more information visit www.ncssouthwest.co.uk, email ncsenquiries@youngdevon.org or call (01626) 356720.