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By vJoe 14th May 12
Tom Mower, 22, from Leeds is down to the final five of a global competition run by GVI to volunteer around the world for a year.
Over the last four years, he’s given over 1,500 hours of his time to volunteering. Tom tells us all about his extraordinary story so far and why volunteering is so important to him….
My name’s Tom and I’m proud to be a volunteer-aholic. Why? Because I find volunteering to be great fun, really rewarding, and beneficial for myself and others. For me, volunteering isn’t just something to put on my CV or something to do when I’m bored; it’s a huge part of my life and my volunteering experiences have really shaped my view of the world.
My addiction to volunteering has taken me from Leeds (North England) to the amazing Amazon rainforest and to South Africa, to music festivals and government meetings, and to allotments and beautiful countryside.
It started when I moved to Leeds in September 2008 for university. I soon discovered that volunteering doesn’t mean doing boring work for free, it’s about having the opportunity to do something you’re passionate about, having a great time, and meeting lots of fantastic, like-minded people.
In my first two years at uni, I volunteered as part of a human rights and environmental campaign group, People and Planet. I had great fun running a ‘bottled water funfair’ as part of our successful campaign to make Leeds University Union the first in the country to replace all bottled water with re-usable bottles.
After several successful campaigns I realised that creating real change and having tangible impacts locally is a huge motivator for me. So much so that I realised that’s what I want to do with the rest of my life!
That’s when my volunteering addiction got really bad/good…
I decided to take a year out to volunteer as an Environmental Education assistant for a local community charity, Groundwork Leeds. I helped on all sorts of fantastic projects in schools and communities, lasting from a few hours up to 10 weeks.
I’ve also volunteered doing scientific research in Ecuador and helping with conservation on a game reserve in South Africa with GVI.
While in Leeds I’ve also done peer mentoring, first aid, conservation, youth work, festival stewarding and loads more… the choices when it comes to volunteering are pretty much endless!
Here’s what I learnt:
There is very little on Earth that is more rewarding and gratifying than seeing the happiness of others grow thanks to the time and effort you spend with them.
What’s more, through my volunteering, I have finally found a career that I really want to follow in Environment Education.
So my advice would be to really embrace volunteering and do as much as you can – whatever your interests there will be something to suit you.
Try new things. You’ll experience so much more of what life has to offer, you’ll meet loads of interesting people and gain some new friends, and you’ll probably learn a lot about yourself along the way.
So do what I did, get out there and volunteer… but be warned, it’s so good you’ll soon get addicted!
You can vote in the GVI Around the World competition via Facebook. Closing date is this Friday, 18 May.
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By vJessM 11th May 12
TGF!! The phrase has a whole new meaning to me this week… for five days I haven’t spent more than £1 a day on all my food and drink. “Why, oh why?!” I hear you ask. Well, to raise awareness about global poverty and the 1.4billion people who go to bed hungry every night, I’ve done the same as part of the Live below the Line Campaign.
It’s staggering that nearly a fifth of the people on the planet live on less than a pound a day for all their food, fuel, shelter, clothing. Going to bed hungry every night, in fact, being constantly hungry all week, certainly makes you think about the vast inequality and unfairness of the world. The fact that we have an obesity crisis in the West while people are hungry in the South, to me, represents a global system in chaos.
So, has the campaign made me think? Yes. Have I raised awareness? I hope so. Have I raised money? Some.
But, to my surprise, the Live below the Line campaign has made me think far more about food poverty in the UK. I was aware of the issue, particularly because Team v ran an amazing food poverty campaign last year to tackle the problem.
On Sunday morning I was walking backwards and forwards between Sainsbury’s and Tesco because economy beans are 47p at Sainsbury’s and 44p at Tesco and that makes a difference when you only have 500p for your weekly shop. It’s brought home to me just how hard it must be for the millions of people in the UK who are living on, or below, the poverty line. To eat a well-balanced diet would be tough, to eat your 5-a-day would be nigh on impossible.
I’m not pretending to have any answers to global food security, obesity, food poverty, underpaid farmers, food subsidies and the whole host of other complex issues that surround the seemingly straightforward business of feeding ourselves but I do know we all need to think more about it.
For more information on poverty in the UK check out this Joseph Rowntree Foundation report. Join ONE’s campaign on food security.
Which issues or campaign would you care enough about to give something up?
If you’re aged between 18-24, you can have the chance to lead your very own campaigns by applying to be part of Team v!
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By vTracey 10th May 12
Last week at vInspired, we had the pleasure of welcoming John-Paul Flintoff to speak at our regular Innovation Lunch. These lunches provide an important opportunity for vInspired staff to meet, learn from and be inspired by individuals who are using their skills and talents to make a difference.At first glance, John-Paul’s credentials don’t mark him out as someone who wants to change the world. As an experienced journalist, writing for the Financial Times and Sunday Times among others, it’s easy to imagine Flintoff as a cynical old hack, with little interest in making a difference. However, it’s clear within minutes that Flintoff is different.
Indeed, it was precisely his own journalistic investigation into sweatshops in Manhattan that inspired him to learn how to make his own clothes – and then encourage others to do the same. ‘These days, we don’t make things, we just buy them,’ he explains – an approach which dulls our own sense of agency and our understanding of how clothes are made.
He shows off his attire, and explains how with the help of his Great Aunt Peggy, a YouTube group called ThreadBanger and a second-hand treadle sewing machine, he learnt how to cut patterns and sew his own shirts and jeans. The results are impressive and Flintoff is fiercely enthusiastic about the learning and discovery process that underpins his new hand-made wardrobe.
He explained how a network of friends, relatives, a local seamstress, a haberdashery and online resources helped him to perfect his art: ‘Every time I made a mistake, I thought YES, I’m one step closer to getting it right.’ And when you find out that he now grows hemp and nettles so that he can spin his own yarn to make Y-fronts, you can see how far he’s come.
Changing the world
Flintoff’s latest project is no less awe-inspiring – he’s out to change the world and to share his world-changing tips with others. He’s the first to acknowledge that it’s a pretty ambitious goal, and that anyone who says they want to change the world runs the risk of being laughed at – or at least perceived as a bit odd. But he’s steadfast in his view that we all have the creativity, resources and passion to make positive change happen. As Flintoff points out, ‘We all make history, all the time – through the infinitesimally small actions that we take (or don’t take) every day.’
We’re already change-makers, whether we know it or not, and Flintoff’s latest book, ‘How to change the world,’ is designed to help us direct our energies towards the things we most want to change. ‘Be clear about what needs fixing’ advises Flintoff – once you know precisely what the problem is, you’ll be better equipped to identify possible solutions.
He also encourages a step-by-step approach to making change happen, by crowd-sourcing ideas and solutions, cherry-picking your favourite ideas and taking action. ‘Don’t over-think the problem – it will become huge, alarming and too big to deal with,’ he explains. ‘Each step leads you further down the path of change, so start now and get on with it!’’
So, who cares if people laugh or think you’re a bit odd? You CAN change the world. Starting now!
John Paul Flintoff’s new book, ‘How to change the world’ is available now.
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By vJoe 10th May 12
Priya Desai is a Speech Language Therapist and Children’s Author.
Here, she explains why children’s literacy is so important to her and why she wanted to get involved in Team v’s latest campaign to improve children’s literacy through the power of story-telling at a recent reading workshop run by Team v Harrow…
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Dr Suess, I Can Read With My Eyes ShutAs this Dr Suess quote suggests; learning to read is empowering and takes a reader on a journey of discovery. In this day and age, where we have so many distractions; computer games, ipads, iphones. It is easy for reading practise and reading for pleasure to be sidelined.
There are SO many reasons for why learning to reading is essential and a skill which cannot be overlooked in a child’s early years. Books introduce a whole new world for children; one they can learn from, one they can enjoy.
As a child learns to read, they will learn new words and develop their own imagination skills, which will directly impact on their own writing and storytelling skills. Therefore, it is essential that parents and caregivers, support reading skill development and find the time to do so.
Learning to read is all about, “Practise, practise, practise”. Not only reading school books, but also signs on the road, words on packaging, headings on a newspaper. It’s all about trying; trying to recognise letters, familiar sound groups, familiar words, wherever you are in your environment.
I recently took part in a reading workshop run by Team V in Harrow. It was wonderful to meet the children that attended the workshop and hear about the stories they like to read. I read them one of my books, Jake Monkey-Tail; I enjoyed hearing each child’s responses to the story and also what part of the story they enjoyed the most.
This always interests me because whatever a child enjoys most is what they will take away with them, and this is what will then inspire them in the future. Perhaps when they need to write a story or perhaps, depending on the context of the story, when they need a boost of confidence in their own lives.
On hearing about Team V, I was immediately impressed by the initiative and hence keen to be involved and help out in any way. Patrick, who represents Team V Harrow, impressed me with his confidence and enthusiasm in supporting and encouraging the literacy needs of young children within his community.
The Team V volunteers are not only a caring and passionate group of individuals but also inspirational role models for their own peer group and younger children within their community.
Priya Desai
Speech and Language Therapist and Children’s Author
Team v leaders have done an amazing job running reading and story-telling workshops all over the country, just like this one in London:
Year two of Team v is now open for recruitment – if you want to change the world, one brand-new campaign at a time. apply now!
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By vKate 9th May 12
Are you up for a challenge? Team v are on the lookout for sparky, energetic young people – ready to change the world one campaign at a time!
Why should I apply?
Not only would being a Team v leader contribute enormously to your community – but the experience would give your CV the edge for the future, gaining valuable skills that make you stand out in whatever you want to do.
It doesn’t end there; on completing the programme you will receive a scholarship of up to £1,000 to help you plan your future.
But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some Team v leaders have to say about their experience:
“I’ve spent a brilliant 8 months being a Team v leader and I can’t recommend it enough!”
“Just had a job interview that I would not be qualified for without @vinspired_teamv. Want to get some amazing skills? Apply for the next cohort!”
“An amazing opportunity to get out and make a real difference”
What’s involved?
If you become a Team v leader you will recruit and lead a team of volunteers to help you roll out 3 innovative campaigns in your community.
You’ll also attend action packed training residentials, arming you with the skills you need to create positive change.
Last year’s campaigns
Team v had awesome success in its first year with leaders tackling the three following social issues in their communities:
Food poverty
One of the highlights from last year was Team v leaders giving food to over 6,000 people who needed it most at Christmas.
Loneliness amongst older people
Loneliness affects 1 in 10 older people in the UK. Team v Leaders did a fantastic job tackling the issue – organising social events for older people, running focus groups and awareness raising in their communities.
Improving literacy amongst children
1 in 3 children don’t own a book, 25% of children don’t think reading is important… But together, team v leaders are changing that, visiting schools and setting up story-telling workshops and groups across the country. Go Team v!
So if you want to create positive change like this on your doorstep – look no further!
How do I apply?
If you are 18- 24, living in England, passionate about making a difference and able to commit to 4-6 hours per week of volunteering apply online now.
If you have any questions about Team v don’t hesitate to contact us drop us an email at teamv@vinspired.com or call us on: 020 7960 7039
Follow us on Twitter @vinspired_teamv
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/vinspiredTeamv -
By vMarita 8th May 12
Update: The deadline for entries for the prize draw has now passed. Thanks to everyone who submitted their awesome ideas!
Calling all budding DJs!
Our friends at Ministry of Sound DJ Academy are offering one lucky volunteer the chance to attend their one day Introduction to DJing course (worth £250) on Friday 25th May 2012!
The winner will be trained at legendary London super club Ministry of Sound by some of the biggest DJs in the business; with full behind the scenes access to all four of the clubs’ DJ booths throughout the day.
The course is specifically designed for beginner and intermediate DJs and covers everything from basic techniques to advanced DJ skills.
You’ll get expert advice from legendary DJ’s in dance music history, a goody bag with CDs, VIP passes to the club and a certificate.
Plus you’ll get the chance to submit a mix to the DJ Academy team for the chance to be selected to play at one of our exclusive new talent events at the club!
Sam Barlow, DJ Academy Manager, explains why they’re running the competition:
‘Here at Ministry of Sound DJ Academy we have two main focuses: number one, educating the next generation of future DJs, and number two, discovering this generation’s new and upcoming talent.
“We’ve put together this really special competition to give young people who deserve it most, the opportunity to get behind the decks and spin their favourite tracks on THE BEST night club sound system on the planet!’
To be in with a chance to win this EPIC prize, just answer the following question by posting a comment on this blog post:
You’re DJing at Ministry of Sound and are asked to dedicate a song to all the young volunteers in the crowd – what song would you dedicate to them and why?
The closing date for entries is Tuesday 15 May. Our judging panel will select the most inspiring answer and the winner will be announced here next week. Get your DJ thinking caps on!
To enter you must be:
• Over 15 years of age – under 18s please see Competition terms and conditions
• Be registered on vInspired.com and have at least 4 hours logged on your vInspired volunteering profilePlease be sure to read our full terms & conditions before entering
For details on the course, please visit the Ministry of Sound DJ Academy website: http://www.ministryofsound.com/club/dj-academy/courses/
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By RachaelRoberts 4th May 12
Rachael Roberts, 25, from Colwyn Bay, began volunteering last year to get experience for a Speech Therapy Career.
Hear how she got on….
I’ve been interested in progressing my career since I graduated with a Psychology Bsc in July 2010. With this in mind I decided I needed to get relevant experience before applying for my Speech therapy Msc…
I had previously volunteered during my degree and credit it as the quickest and easiest way to gain experience and build a network of relevant contacts. I used my days off from my part-time job to venture out and meet influential people who may know of opportunities to work with young people with speech, language and communication needs.
So I decided to research as many relevant organisations on Facebook as possible (including Vinspired), it wasn’t long before a relevant event to attend caught my eye. I went along to the ‘Communication counts’ event run in collaboration between Afasic Cymru, a charity which supports parents of children people with speech and language impairments, and the NHS.
It was right up my street as it was exactly my area of interest – communication difficulties in young people. Although I wasn’t able to sit in for the talks, I was able to network at the event and introduce myself to the Afasic Cymru development officer.
We got talking about my wish to volunteer, to which she encouraged me to attend an informal drop-in session regarding a youth club she was setting up in Old Colwyn (near me!!)…
How coincidental was this! I then furthered my research regarding Afasic Cymru. As I was already working as a part-time youth worker I was able to sign up for an OCN in youth work at the weekends.
This enabled me to count my volunteering towards a recognised qualification and towards my vInspired hours. This opportunity enabled me to work alongside a speech therapist and community centre manager as a youth worker for Afasic Cymru on a weekly basis.
With this ‘foot in the door’ I was able to apply to Vodafone’s World of Difference campaign, which enabled me to access funding to work full time for Afasic Cymru for two months.
Had I not volunteered for Afasic Cymru this future opportunity simply wouldn’t have been possible.
I am now half way through my placement for Afasic Cymru, with lots of experience under my belt. I’ve also recently had an interview for my Speech therapy masters. I doubt I would have got this if it wasn’t for volunteering with Afasic Cymru.
If you live in the area, Afasic Cymru has a great family fun day to mark its 10th Anniversary based in Faenol Fawr, North wales. For more information, get in touch with Afasic Cymru.
Why not use volunteering to gain valuable professional experience? Search our careers-related opportunities.
You can also give your CV a boost and get formal recognition for your volunteering with our vInspired Awards.
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By vJoe 2nd May 12
Last year, a group of young people from across the country came together to have one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of their lives.
Summer of Lifetime is an amazing programme that gives year 11 and 12 students who’ve finished their school studies the chance to enjoy a summer jam-packed full of fun activities – trying new things, setting up community projects, learning new skills and making friends for life.
The young people who took part in last year’s Summer of a Lifetime recently paid a visit to our office in London and I decided to take the opportunity to ask them: why was Summer of a Lifetime such a life-changing experience?
Here are the inspiring thoughts of one of the participants, Linda….
This might sound dramatic or whatever but before last summer, if someone had asked me: “can volunteering change lives?” I would probably have said “no”, but this programme has allowed me to witness first-hand the difference that volunteering can make to others – and yourself.
I remember the first day that I met the people in my NCS team. We were all so different, coming from various backgrounds and I couldn’t really picture what type of team we’d be. But by the end of the second week we already felt like a kind of family (sorry for the cheesiness)!
The Summer of a Lifetime experience has changed all of our lives in a positive way – especially for one guy from my group whose life was completely transformed by the programme.
He told me about how he was at the edge of a gang, mixing with people he shouldn’t have. He felt he had nowhere to turn, so when a youth worker approached him about the Summer of a Lifetime programme he knew that this might be a chance to turn things around. He was pretty sceptical and a bit scared, but decided to join anyway – a decision that proved to be one of the best he ever made.
Now, when I think of all the people that I met during the Summer of a Lifetime experience, I can’t help but smile. And now whenever anyone asks, I say: “Yes, volunteering can definitely change lives – and it can change yours too.
Have a summer to remember this year. If you’re currently in year 11, sign up to Summer of a Lifetime now!
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By vTraceyP 1st May 12
Cydney Butler, 23, Volunteers as a Peer Educator at Brook in Milton Keynes.
This month, we’re launching our all-new Volunteer of the Month Awards to celebrate the outstanding contribution of young volunteers across the country.
Introducing our first Volunteer of the Month winner….
Cydney Butler
As a young mum Cydney has a special interest in offering support to others in her position. She delivers sexual health lessons to young people in a variety of settings.
Cydney’s constant commitment and empowerment of young women has proved a true inspiration to all those around her.
Her nominator describes Cydney as: “Reliable, passionate and amazing! We feel extremely fortunate to have her.”
Meet the winner!
Hi Cydney, how does it feel to win volunteer of the month?
I feel quite honoured really. It’s a special feeling
How do you feel you’ve made a difference to others and is there anything you’re especially proud of?
Through my work at Brook I have been able to encourage people, improve their confidence and tell them: ‘just because you have done it once doesn’t mean you have to do it again’. By being involved as a young mum I have been able to challenge misconceptions about teenage pregnancies and let people know that you don’t get things handed to you on a plate.
When did you start volunteering and why?
I started volunteering 3 years ago. I originally attended a programme for people involved in domestic violence. Through that programme I was given the opportunity to get involved in the ‘peer education course’, which led to me getting involved with Brook and recieving my v100 award last November.
What do you do outside of volunteering – and what are your hopes for the future?
I’m a part-time employee and a full-time Mum. In the future I’d love to continue my work at Brook. When my children are a bit older I can see myself having a career in education, training and managerial work.
Which issues do you care about most? If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the one thing you’d change?
I’d make sex education, information and contraception more accessible to young people.
What would you say to encourage other young people to volunteer?
To anyone that hasn’t done any volunteering I’d say: try it. You get so much out of it. I was sceptical at first but it has honestly given me something priceless.
Has a young volunteer you work with made an outstanding contribution that has gone above and beyond what was expected of them?
They could be our next Volunteer of the Month!
To nominate someone, you just need to be an approved vInspired Awards provider and the nominated volunteer needs to have received one of our vInspired Awards.
Find out more on how to apply and our full criteria over on our website.
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By vBlessing 27th April 12
Blessing Maregere is currently a member of the vInspired Youth Advisory Board. He started his own contract cleaning company at the age of 16 and since founded Bright Futures Enterprise to inspire, educate and motivate young people to become successful.
Check out Blessing’s words of advice to any young people who want to become their own boss…
A lot of young people want to become their own boss but don’t know where to begin. But I believe it’s possible for any young person to follow their dreams and do what they love.
Before starting my first business at the age of 16, I was volunteering with community youth groups with a helping hand from organisations like vInspired. Volunteering provided me with a whole new network of people and organisations who believe in young people’s potential.
Through a combination of growing experience and networking, I developed the confidence and belief to get out there and give things a go.
My first business was a contract cleaning company that I launched in 2009. I spotted a gap in the market and just went for it. I was managing a team of six cleaning staff and managing a number of cleaning contracts, from student halls to local offices.
In the press, young people are often portrayed negatively. So my most recent project has been to set up a youth-led social enterprise called Bright Futures Enterprise with a mission to inspire, educate and motivate young people to become successful entrepreneurs.
We run enterprising events and provide mentoring and coaching to aspiring young business leaders.
I believe anyone can become an entrepreneur if they put their mind to it. For any young people out there who want to set up their own business or start a youth project, here are my 3 top tips to get your ideas of the ground:
Network
Networking is the key to success – it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know. So get out there and network with likeminded people you never know which invaluable contact or person you might meet.
Seek a business mentor
Going solo and starting up in business can be lonely, so having a mentor is key to help guide you to success. It could be a business contact, or even a friend or family member to bounce your ideas off – having someone to provide you with moral support, guidance and encouragement can make the world of difference
Passion
Do what you love and love what you do! You need passion to make your dreams a success -without passion it will never work. Choose to work on the things that are really important to you – if you care about them enough, you’ll stick with them.
If anyone wants support, information or mentoring on becoming your own boss, check out www.entrepreneurblessing.co.uk
You can explore your entrepreneurial side by applying for vInspired Cashpoint, which is giving out funding for 14-25 year-olds to set up their own social action projects.
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