Tackling barriers to access

• We coined the concept of the “hidden costs of social action” that bar many people from civic engagement – and recommended the provision of free or reduced cost bus travel for NCS participants from low income families, especially those in rural areas.

Ironing out regional disparities

• The new NCS Quality Assurance framework ensures that all young people benefit from a comparable experience wherever they complete NCS, and youth-led social action is now a priority.

The ripple effect - a wider impact

• Professor Mills' work has strengthened partnerships with the scheme via the youth charity sector, and enhanced wider understandings of youth citizenship within the Cabinet Office and DCMS.
• She has delivered invited training webinars to external assessors on research findings and recommendations.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has invited her to share findings and recommendations with an international delegation from the All China Youth Federation.