Posts Tagged ‘vInspired Cashpoint’
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By vFffion 8th March 13
We have a whole host of female trailblazers to introduce you to…
From leading a team to managing budgets, vInspired Cashpoint offers you a unique chance to get first-hand experience of running your own project, setting yourself apart to all future employers. Not convinced? Take a look at our shiny new film.
Today is International Women’s Day (hooray!) so we’re celebrating some of our fabulous projects led by young women, and inviting you to apply to become our next leader.
Athlete in the making?
Alice, 21, got £500 to run ‘Street Squash’ – furthering her ambition of becoming a sports coach and giving young people in her area something new to do.
Alice got loads of her friends involved and together they managed to organise fun squash sessions for 30 young people.
Watch out team GB – the next generation of sports stars are catching up!
Unleash your inner teacher
Fancy teaching others to cook, read or paint?
Beth, 23 got her lab coat on and used a £385 cashpoint grant to lead weekly science clubs for young girls. Not only is this great from an educational perspective, but also takes a big step in opening up a project to females that is so often automatically associated with boys.
Beth is busy learning to teach simple but fun scientific experiments and getting valuable hands-on experience working with young children- check out the coats and glasses.
Are you a budding teacher or community worker? Use your passion to teach others!
Putting the spotlight on you
Ever wanted to run your theatre or dance company? Kimberley, 18 got £494 to do just this. She ran a three week performing arts summer school and organised a public performance to celebrate all the hard work she, volunteers and young participants put in.
In her own words, ‘‘vInspired Cashpoint has allowed me to do something I thought was impossible to do at this stage in my life’’. Good work Kimberley!
From cookery classes and climate change action days to photography projects days we support young people to turn their ideas into reality and get noticed.
So, if you’re stuck for an idea start off by asking what you love doing and what you’d like to do in the future – the best projects come from the heart and reflect your own skills.
Here’s more info, guidance and directions to apply. Go for it!
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By vJoe 20th September 12
Paul Clewett, 22, is a young social activist from Plaistow, Newham.
For the last five years Paul has volunteered with his local youth centre The Swift Group.
He has now been awarded a vInspired Cashpoint grant to run his own social action project – Newham Language Swap, to promote different community languages spoken in Newham.
We recently caught up with Paul to talk about this project. Here’s what he had to say…
Hi Paul. First of all, tell us a bit about your Cashpoint project….
My idea is the Newham Language Swap, for using languages as a tool for promoting cultural identity. It’s all about giving people the skills to pass languages and information on in their community – resulting in empowering different groups to feel that their language is valuable.How did you come up with the idea?
I’m a language student and my last paper focused on minority languages in Spain and Luxembourg. There’s currently a lot of discussion in the European Parliament about how the exclusion of certain languages excludes some cultural groups and disempowers communities. This got me thinking about different languages spoken in Newham and how I could address the issue locally.In what ways to do you hope your project will impact others?
There’s a lot of young talent in the area. I want to capitalise on that. The project will let young people see that their community languages are important and influential and can lead to employment opportunities. I hope that as a result of this project, language tandems in Newham will be set up where people can regularly come together and exchange cultural information.Do you think your project could have a positive impact on your own future?
It will hopefully allow me to add another dimension to my degree and help me with activities such as debating. I also feel that it will bring me closer to people in my community, with more direct contact and face to face interaction with Newham residents.So do you think the experience will help you to achieve your career goals?
Yes, my career goals are internationally and culturally motivated so my project will complement that. It will help me with my degree and allow me to adopt a different perspective that may not be considered by my lecturers and other students. It could definitely improve my employability prospects and the entrepreneurial aspect of the project in particular will allow me to develop great transferable skills that I can take into the workplace.
How do you feel young people are viewed by the general public?
I’ve found that in Newham the public are quite supportive – but with the general public, opinions are harder to pin down. Post-riots, there are negative perceptions. The general public has a mixture of views; there is definitely some ignorance – but also a lot of positive expectations for young people.What would you say to encourage other young people to sign up to try volunteering or apply for a vInspired Cashpoint grant?
I would say that applying for a Cashpoint grant and launching your own project is not as hard as it may seem and it is definitely worth a try. Volunteering itself helps you to think through things in a pragmatic way and develop valuable skills for the future.
Inspired? Find out more about vInspired Cashpoint, get further inspiration with our top 10 Cashpoint project ideas, and apply for funding over on vinspired.com.
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By vSarah 4th September 12
Sarah Corrigan from Junction49 tells us why the site is going from strength-to-strength, and how you can now get funding for your project through Cashpoint.This week is a big one for Junction49 as we reach our 5th Birthday. Since it first launched in 2007 we’ve worked with young people and organisations all over the country to deliver projects – from working in universities and youth clubs to schools. Earlier this year we were welcomed into the vInspired family and we have gone from strength-to-strength with hundreds of engaged young people working together to make a difference within their local communities.
Bursting with ideas
The range of ideas on Junction49 really is widespread and there are projects being set up by young people aged 13-25 all across the country. Whether you’re interested in doing something to do with mental health, employment, sport or perhaps even something entrepreneurial there’s a project waiting for your help.
What’s your idea?
Perhaps there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but didn’t know how? Or there’s a cause that you’re really passionate about raising awareness about? Whatever it is, as long it’s led by young people and aims to make a difference we want to hear it.
We’ll support you
Through Junction49 you’ll get your own page dedicated to your idea. You can use it as you like, updating a diary of your experience as you go, and adding photos and videos to show off and showcase your achievements. You’ll receive support from me to help make your idea happen, including help to plan the project, the opportunity to connect with others and promotion. The best bit is that if you need funding you can apply to vInspired Cashpoint for the cash and we’ll support you with everything else you need to get your idea set up.
You’re Hired Event
If you’re looking for inspiration check out this video featuring Junction49er, Ebuni, who set up employment seminars for young people with support from Junction49 and cash from vInspired Cashpoint.
To get started, head on over to www.junction49.co.uk or send an email to help@junction49.co.uk with any questions. You can also keep up to date with the latest goings on over on Twitter @junction49.
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By vEsme 2nd August 12
vInspired Cashpoint is offering funding – up to £500 – to young people who want to set up a local project to help their community.
To give a little inspiration, we’ve decided to share our 5 favourite ideas so far, each with an example of a specific project that we would gladly fund.
In fact, some of the below are already up and running with our funding – so we’re actually revealing some secret formulas of what makes a successful Cashpoint application!
So if you’re 14-25 years-old and have an idea of your own, what are you waiting for?
The full list of our top 10 Cashpoint ideas can be found here.
How to get funding to help young people….
Project idea: run child literacy workshops
Make reading easier and more fun for children by holding weekend reading sessions. Develop fun activities like acting out scenes, re-imagining endings and getting children to write their own stories to spark their interest. You could identify children who might benefit through local schools by liasing with teachers.
What could a vInspired Cashpoint grant fund? Notebooks, coloured pens, pencils, session refreshments, CRB checks and volunteers’ expenses.
How to get funding to improve inter-generational relationships…
Project idea: run coffee mornings for elderly and isolated people
Rent out the local community centre once a week and hold a coffee morning with games like dominoes and bingo and home baking. Your young volunteers and the elderly would get a chance to interact and get to know the other generation a bit better, and they could swap skills, games and memories.
What could a vInspired Cashpoint grant fund? Minibus hire, ingredients for cake baking, refreshments costs, dominoes and bingo set, and venue hire costs.
How to get funding to improve the environment….Project idea: turn some unused public land into a community garden
You could get local people involved, advertise for volunteers at community centres and youth clubs, and ask your local councillor to come to an opening ceremony.
What could a vInspired Cashpoint grant fund? Basic gardening equipment, seeds and plants, publicity materials, refreshments for the ceremony, travel costs to remove waste and volunteer expenses.
How to get funding to increase sports participation….
Project idea: run Olympics-inspired track and field try outs
Inspired by the Olympics? Get people in your local area to try out some of the sports they may not have thought of before You could hold some practise sessions and a mini tournament. Talk to your local sports centre and see if any of their staff would like to help you out, or whether they could loan you the venue or some equipment for free.What could a vInspired Cashpoint grant fund? Publicity materials, equipment hire, medals, venue bookings and energy drinks.
How to get funding to inspire your community through the arts…
Project idea: run free sculpture and craft classes
If you’re good at art and feel you could share your skills, why not run workshops for the people in your community and then hold an exhibition of everyone’s work? The pieces could then be donated to local charities.
What could a vInspired Cashpoint grant fund? Your budget could include basic craft materials, flyers, table and chair hire for the exhibition, refreshments and CRB costs if you’re working with children.
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By vJoe 14th June 12
Recently we asked vInspired staff:
“If you could choose one social action project to set up to make the world a better place, what would it be?”
Here’s part two of their answers (part one here). Feel free to add your own in the comments section below!
Improving access to education
I feel really strongly about giving girls and young women equal access to education and employment. Often in developing countries, poorer families can’t afford to send all of their children to school. More often than not it is young males who are chosen to go to school, over their sisters. I would love to set up a project using online technology such as Skype, so that girls in rural areas of developing countries can receive the same educational opportunities as their brothers, and so go on to live financially independent lives.
Sharing neighbourly love
Araba, Public Affairs & Policy Manager
I’d set up a project that would get neighbours speaking to each other like a neighbourhood swap day where neighbours could swap their unwanted items with each other. Growing up in London I knew most of the people that lived down my street but that seems to be increasingly rare.
A reverse inter-generational project
I was thinking of a reverse inter-generational project, whereby the older generations teach young people skills that have been forgotten along the way. My mum was a massive baker and taught me how to cook and bake cakes and even though she is an excellent seamstress, she never once showed me how to sew. So an environment where the older generation can teach the younger generation how uses these skills would be ideal!
Community eating project
Fay, Marketing Intern
I would set up a community eating project. I hate the idea of eating dinner alone, but know that this is the reality for dozens of people in my community. For a small contribution group meals could be held weekly at schools, in people gardens, church halls and community centres – the money made could be used to feed the less fortunate. This would also be a great opportunity for the coming together of people of all ages and a chance to create a tighter bond within a community.
Tackling food waste
Jenni, Director of Marketing & Communications
I’d tackle wasteful food issues…Setting up “BOGOF” teams at every supermarket for people who buy ‘buy one get one frees’, and then know they can hand them over after they’ve bought them. I’d also organise weekly visits to people’s homes to see if there is stuff in people’s fridges/houses that they aren’t going to eat/going to throw away, and work out how to redistribute to those who need it most.
Feeling inspired? We’re handing out grants of up to £500 to 14-25 year-olds to set up their own community projects with vInspired Cashpoint.
Alternatively, why not check out Junction49, where young people share and develop ideas to set up their own projects?
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By vNirja 23rd May 12
How much for the pants?
From auctioning underwear to visiting terminally ill patients, the celebrities who give their time to volunteer get a ‘thumbs up’ from vInspired. It’s time to shine some light on celebrities who practise a little less conversation and a little more action…
Justin Bieber
On Valentine’s Day, JB didn’t canoodle with his ‘boo’ – Selena Gomez, instead he flew six-year-old cancer patient Avalanna Routh to New York whose parents started a Facebook campaign to meet her favourite celebrity; the duo feasted on cupcakes, played board games and just had a fun time. Jealous much?
Kate Winslet
After witnessing the troubles undergone by a friend and her autistic son, Kate Winslet started The Golden Hat Foundation, which works towards helping people with autism lead fuller lives. She also launched a book filled with poetry and quotes on autism from her famous friends; celebrities include Justin Timberlake to Ricky Gervais , all wearing a hat that has been passed along.
Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton
The whole world was turning their wedding into the spectacle of the season, but instead of reaching for the wedding registry the royal couple graciously requested their guests to donate money to their charity – The Royal Charity fund; the proceeds went to support 5 charities of their choice. The couple finalised on Action on Addiction, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, The Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery.
Emma Watson
Emma wants to be known for more than her Harry Potter image and is doing a jolly good job of it. Emma Watson launched a sustainable clothing line for fair-trade company People Tree. The initiative saw Emma travelling to Bangladesh to dabble in a bit of dress making and see how the clothes were made. The profits made by People Tree go into running the local school and day care centres.very vInspiring!
Johnny Depp
When not engaging in his movie personas (you know facing headless horsemen, slaughtering people to use in his delicious baked goodies and all that) Johnny Depp provides support to children in need. The deed that wins the gold star is recording an encouraging tape message for a seventeen year old girl, who was in a coma. Johnny also auctioned his knickers – the winner bidding £1600! The money went to Helen & Douglas House – a children’s hospice in Oxfordshire.
Take action!
There’s a good chance your knickers may not even sell for a penny or your last experience with DIY fashion involved knitting with your gran, but if celebrities can take up volunteering in their hectic schedules – so can you!
So get started and get thinking; if you could start any volunteering opportunity of your choice, what would it be? Please share your comments below!
Aged 14-25 and have a great idea for a community project? We’re handing out grants with vInspired Cashpoint! Find out more and apply.
If you’re 13-25 and have a simple project in mind or just need to get in touch with like-minded volunteers visit Junction49 – the place where young people share and develop ideas.
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By vJoe 18th April 12
With the re-opening of vInspired Cashpoint now in full swing, staff here at vInspired towers have been full of inspiration and ideas for social action projects to change the world!
So earlier this week, I decided to ask each of our lovely vInspired team to answer the following question:
“If you could choose one social action project to set up, unrestricted by time or resources, to make the world a better place, what would it be?”
The first of two instalments of our answers have been shared below! Let us know which is your favourite – and feel free to add your own to the list in the comments section!
Kate, Projects Assistant
I’d set up a project facilitating young people to grow vegetables and plants and set up their own pop up stalls and shops in their local communities to sell their produce for a profit. I think cultivating your own produce, spending time outside and owning your own enterprise is really rewarding.Leigh, CEO Office Intern
I’d organise a local community based fashion show with a twist: trends from well-known fashion labels which continue to exploit ‘slave labour’ will be paraded down the catwalk while narrators (replacing the predictable sales pitch) reveal the name of, and shocking facts about, the wages and working conditions of those who make the products. It would act as an awareness raising tool to educate people about the often hidden abuses behind some of our everyday fashion favourites.Ffion, Young Leader Programme Coordinator
I would organise huge monthly parties for refugees and asylum seekers. I would convince glamorous and high profile venues to donate their space and enrol the support of DJs, caterers, theatre and dance companies to have a night of fabulousness and glamour. I believe that refugees and asylum seekers are unfairly discriminated against and given bad press without much justification. Everyone loves a boogie!
Cem, Digital Intern
My Idea is inspired by a vInspired Facebook post I recently saw. People always say that when they’re out and about they can never find a bin, which causes litter. So to highlight the problem I would get people to get creative with drawing attention to local bins. I’d create a Pinterest account and create a group called Binterest and encourage people to post a pic of their work and also geotag it!Danielle, Special Projects Manager
My project to change the world would involve creating more community gardens in which people could grow their own fresh food. I like this idea because it brings people together, gives people access to healthy food for next to nothing, reduces transport emissions, and in the long run could help the global food crisis by encouraging people to eat local.
Got any more of your own ideas to add? Leave a comment below!
vInspired Cashpoint is re-open for business, giving young people aged 14-25 the funding to turn their ideas for community projects into a reality! Find out more on our website.
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By vJoe 17th April 12
Vinspired Cashpoint has officially opened for business once again, giving young people the opportunity to bring those ideas to life.
We’re offering grants of up to £500 to enable you to change your community for the better.
What’s Cashpoint all about?
Ever wished you could make a positive difference to an issue that affects your community, but not sure how to do it? Cashpoint can make it happen.
If your idea is chosen, we’ll give you the support to get things off the ground. But the best thing about Cashpoint is that you’re in charge.
You’ll have total control over your chosen project and can bring about the positive change in your community just the way you imagined it.
What kind of projects could I run?
As long as your idea is for the benefit of helping others – we’ll consider it! The possibilities are endless…
In 2010 Bashir, 21, from Newham, received funding through Cashpoint to assist with Engage and Raise, his idea for a youth led project which aims to support young people who are not in full time education or employment (NEETS).
His project armed young people with the tools and advice to find their way into work schemes, education or paid employment.
Bashir Ali received a Cashpoint grant in 2010
Bashir said: “Seeing the change in people is the best feeling. Hopelessness turning into hope makes it all worthwhile… The thing people have to realise is that most youths, who are caught up in crime etc, really do want to change. This is what I have discovered.
“Volunteering is great, it makes me care even more about the things I already care about, such a my community, and young people being given a chance”
This is just one example of the kind of thing you could run. But we’re always open to new and interesting ideas. Over the six years that Cashpoint has been running, young people have used their creativity and passion to develop all sorts of projects, including:
• Stand-up comedy sessions to help young people build their confidence
• Cycling lessons to help give young women from Bangladeshi communities independence
• A community ‘earth ship’ to educate local people about eco-friendly living
How do I get involved?
Inspired by some of the ideas above? Want to change your community for the better?
If you’re between 14-25 years-old, you can register your interest for vInspired Cashpoint now.
Any questions?
Unsure about your project idea? Still have questions about how vInspired Cashpoint works?
Post your feedback and questions below and we’ll try and provide you with the answers.
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By vSamantha 16th April 12
Want to be a part of the largest, and longest-running, annual day of volunteering? Free between 20 – 22 April 2012? Here’s your chance to put your social action ideas on the map!
This year, as part of Global Youth Service Day (20-22 April) we want to know all about your ideas to make the world a better place.
Global Youth Service Day is a time for young people across the world to do awesome things in their local communities, and make a positive change all over the globe.
It’s actually a whole weekend, so you’ve got plenty of time to think of ways to make something happen, and to put it into action at the same time as other young people in every time zone on the planet!
Turn your ideas into action with vInspired Cashpoint
What’s more, through our vInspired Cashpoint funding programme, you actually have the opportunity to bring these ideas for social action projects to life! Anyone between the ages of 14-25 who has an idea to solve an issue in their community – we want to help you solve it.
How? We are offering grants of up to £500 to get your project of the ground. That’s right, you come up with the ideas – we’ll give you the support to make them happen.
So what are you waiting for? Make your idea a reality on Global Youth Service Day 2012 and apply for your vInspired Cashpoint grant!
Get involved!
We are incredibly proud to be leading the way for GYSD in the UK in 2012, encouraging young people and organisations everywhere to get involved and do something brilliant.
You can share your social action ideas with us now on Facebook or on Twitter using #gysd and #vCashpoint.
Visit our GYSD pages now and apply for a vInspired Cashpoint grant.
Let’s go global!
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