Celebrating Volunteers Week in Newcastle

To mark national Volunteers Week, the an annual celebration of volunteering and volunteers, the vinvolved team in Newcastle joined forces with the Volunteer Centre Newcastle, Ouseburn Trust, Norcare and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative at the heart of Newcastle City Centre on Saturday 6th June, to promote volunteering to the Newcastle public. The team were situated at Greys monument with the Launchpad bus (see www.launchpadnortheast.org for details) handing out certificates, flyers and leaflets about volunteering. Changemakers staff were supported by their YAT (Youth Action Team) and talked to people about their volunteering experiences.

Volunteer Day at Hadrian School in Newcastle

On the 29th of April, the Changemakers Newcastle office team, along with some volunteers, visited Hadrian School in Newcastle to help improve their facilities for young people.

Hadrian school is adapted for disabled children. From 2 to 11 years old, young people can go there and enjoy a fabulous space, which includes a dark and ultra-violet room, a swimming-pool, a beach, a gym and lots more...

The volunteers were in charge of improving the garden areas and also painting some of the buildings and surrounding areas.

There were two groups of volunteers - one from De Paul UK and one from the Kumasi Project. De Paul UK’s ‘Drive Ahead’ project, which is based in London, Newcastle and Birmingham, is a six week programme (10 weeks in Newcastle) that offers the basis for young people to explore their employment and training needs alongside introductory driving lessons.

The Kumasi Project works with 150 unaccompanied young refugees and asylum-seekers in Newcastle and enables them to meet and take part in group work and social activities. It also offers support and advice relating to social services and asylum processes.

All the volunteers worked extremely hard, in two different teams, and by the end of the day, they had managed to paint the railings in black, the walls in beige and they also made a pathway in the garden. At the end of the day, the volunteers were left exhausted, but it was worth it because it was for a really good cause.

For more info, contact the Newcastle Team.

North East London Flexes its volunteering muscle at YAT event

The power of volunteering was on show at Ilford Town Hall on Saturday, 25 April and over 1,000 local residents came to see. 56 volunteers helped make the event a runaway success.

Youth Action Team – North East London, vinvolved East London and Redbridge Youth Services organised the Million: Dare (to be all you can be) event to promote volunteering to young people in Redbridge.

 

The Youth Action Team (YAT), wanted to deliver a community event to highlight the existence of local volunteering opportunities, established youth information and advice outposts, whilst celebrating local youth achievements.

Entertainment included the Black Ice Cheerleaders who performed and executed perfect stunts, JFI Karate Club and Streetz Ahead and Dance Express, where street dance was seen at its best as well as Bollywood dance acts.

Inside the venue organisations offering young people a diverse range of opportunities included the Redbridge Youth Service, Ilfomation, CLAPA, Redbridge Forum, Redbridge Museum, Connexions, East London Youth Action Team, Streetz Ahead, Changemakers, Jujitsu Club in Fairlop Waters, Salvation Army Shop, FiND and vinvolved east London.

The event was captured in wonderful clarity by two brilliant young volunteer photographers, Daniel Leckstrom of Changemakers and Melisa Biltekin.

Councillor Brian Lambert said, "It's fantastic to see young people from all backgrounds coming together to deliver this exciting community event.”

Colin Chapman, Head of Redbridge Youth Service commented: “I was impressed by the huge turnout and the impact that volunteering is having on young people’s confidence.”

For more information about the Youth Action Team, contact Sadia Ur-Rehman.

Celebrating 6 months of the Future Leaders' Programme...

Last night, 12 Young Advocates who for the last 6 months have been working hard as part of Changemakers’ Future Leaders Programme, celebrated the completion of their projects at a prestigious celebration event in Swindon.

The event, held at the National Trust in Swindon included keynotes by Adam Nichols (CEO, Changemakers) and Andy Sawford (CEO, LGIU), presentations by the Young Advocates into the successes of their projects and the legacy they have left within their Host Organisations, and a poster display outlining the Young Advocates’ journey throughout the 6 month programme. Each Young Advocate was presented with a certificate by Richard Roberts (Chair of Trustees, Changemakers) as recognition of their commitment to the project. Delegates were also treated to drinks and canapés and were given time to network.

The event marked the culmination of 6 months of hard work for the Young Advocates in improving the involvement and participation of young people within their Host Organisations. Just some of the projects which were celebrated included developing a youth-friendly membership pack for the National Trust, researching the obstacles new volunteers faced at Raleigh International, analysing youth-initiatives delivered by local authorities through the LGIU and and looking at how local authorities can better engage young people in Barnet and Tower Hamlets.

All Young Advocates were supported by their Changemakers’ Champions and Sponsors throughout the 6 month programme and at the event.

Sophie Aston, Programme Manager – Future Leaders said, “The event celebrated the work of the Young Advocates and the role that they and the Host Organisations are playing in youth participation. Congratulations to all of the Young Advocates whose projects have taken their Host Organisation a step further in engaging and involving young people.”

Changemakers is now preparing to recruit its next round of Host Organisations and Young Advocates. For more information on this programme, please contact Sophie Aston on 020 7702 1511 or by emailing Sophie Aston.

Newcastle celebrates with young Changemakers

Changemakers' vinvolved team in Newcastle hosted a celebration event last night at the Life Centre in Newcastle to celebrate the achievements of the 16-25 year old Changemakers we have worked with throughout Newcastle and Northumberland on the vinvolved project.

The young Changemakers themselves were in attendance along with the organisations that have worked on the vinvolved project. There were presentations from volunteers about their projects and experiences, including films and slideshows. There was also entertainment from Urban Dance Babes (a group of young dancers from Ashington), a demonstration from Boardroom (an urban arts centre based in the West end of Newcastle) and music from Auburn acoustic (two young singers from Ashington).

Some of the young volunteers also received a v50 certificate from Changemakers, as recognition for their volunteering, hard work and commitment.

Changemakers Chief Executive Adam Nichols commented: “Celebrating the achievements of our young Changemakers is always a pleasure for us. Hearing about their projects, and importantly the enthusiasm they have brought to them, is always inspirational and very affirming when so much publicity around young people is negative.”