Good News Stories
Live Sound Promotions
19 year old Jamie Symons from Plympton is this month's winner of The Kids Are Alright award.
Like the other winners we have profiled throughout the year, Jamie has impressed those who know him and work with him through his voluntary service.
Jamie was nominated by Youth Worker Nicola Green, who works with him at the Rees Centre in Plympton.
“Jamie founded a music project called Live Sound Promotions,” said Nicola. “The group organises gigs for young people and supports young people accessing music venues across the city.
“He also has a vision for how the monthly Gig Nights at the Rees Youth Centre can work to provide a safe space for young people to perform, and a positive activity on Saturday nights. Jamie recruits performers, sorts the set lists and designs the promotional publicity.
“Jamie has shown dedication to developing the Rees Centre Gig Nights and has been an inspiration to other young people at the Centre. He is very hard-working, and he's now branching out and has promoted a number of local bands.”
Jamie's Mum Michelle echoed those sentiments about Jamie's industrious nature, “He has three morning paper rounds, a Christmas job at Next and a part time job at Londis. That's all on top of his volunteer work.
“We're very proud of what he does for local young people. It's all done in his own time and for no money. He also helps Plymkids theatre company whenever they're putting on a show. I know he'd like to get a job in the music promotion industry, but maybe Plymouth isn't the best place for that.”
The evening The Shopper caught up with Jamie he was, not surprisingly, setting up a gig at The White Rabbit on Bretonside.
“It's the Live Sound Promotions Christmas Party,” explained Jamie, “we have about 14 acts tonight.”
We asked him how it all started. “I was at the Rees Centre back in the day, when they tried to organise a gig for the youth. There were not many bands and not many people turned up. I wanted to help, so I jumped on board and for about 18 months I've been bringing in bands and promoting
the events.”
The events began drawing crowds of up to 200 young people, and Jamie and the team at Rees had to bring in security to help them cope. The Rees Centre is still the venue for these events, but unfortunately some of the funding has been cut so they are not as regular as they once were.
Jamie's exploits helped him to become the runner up in the Herald's Young Business of the Year award in 2009. In 2010, Jamie was also involved in planning and supporting the music aspect of the Youth Services summer music event at Saltram.
“I'd like to progress in keeping music live in Plymouth. Lots of bands don't come down this far, and I'd like to see bigger bands come here so that younger bands can have a chance to support them – that's my aim. I want to do some work experience in London with Booking Agents. As well as my work with Plymouth Music Collective, this would help me make more contacts with bands.
“As for the Rees Centre, if we had some money we could improve the facilities for gigs to attract the bands.”
If any young people want to get involved and help, they can contact Jamie at Live Sound Promotions on Facebook.
“I'd like to thank all the Youth Workers at the Rees Centre,” said Jamie, “and Mum and Dad for supporting me, and the people who attend the events – without them it wouldn't work.”
The last word goes to Nicola Green at the Rees Centre, “It's good to see Jamie win an award like this, as he shows what young people can achieve when they're given the right opportunities and support.”
30th November 2010
Young People Making a Difference in Politics
The members of Plymouth’s Youth Parliament and Youth Cabinet are this month’s winners of The Kids Are Alright Campaign.
Sarah Heffernan, the UK Youth Parliament Co-ordinator with Plymouth City Council Youth Service, said in her nomination of the team: “July 2010 was a big month for the Plymouth Youth Cabinet and Plymouth's Members of Youth Parliament (MYP).
“Firstly, 11 of the group took part in Relay for Life and raised £413.43 for Cancer Research UK. Relay for Life is a 24 hour relay event from midday Saturday until midday Sunday at Brickfields race track. One person from the team must be on the track at all times. This gets really hard at 4am and the group overcame their sleep deprivation to complete over 300 miles together with six of them achieving marathons and one even covering the distance of two marathons!
“July was also an important month for young people in Parliament as the MPs debated whether to permit the UK Youth Parliament to return to Westminster to debate on the historic green benches. After much debate between the MPs and lots of lobbying from the MYPs to our local MPs, we are pleased to announce that our three local MPs voted in favour of the young people being allowed in the commons and the motion was carried forward with a majority of 499 to 21.”
At the end of July, Plymouth's two MYPs attended the UK Youth Parliament annual sitting which is a 5 day residential where they attend training sessions, debates and work on the national campaigns for the year ahead. One of the MYPs campaigns is to improve the media image of young people and the pair managed to rack up six media mentions between them with four radio interviews and two newspaper articles about the event.
As well as being lots of fun, the annual sitting is hard work with days starting at 9am and finishing at 9pm.
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The MYP’s and Cabinet meet every week to work on their highlight issues that affect young people’s lives. The group often meets with representatives of different organisations where they are consulted about services in Plymouth, and where they get to ask some challenging questions. They also sit on interview panels, take part in activities and attend local events.
According to some of the MYP’s and Youth Cabinet that The Shopper spoke to recently, their voluntary work boosts their self-confidence, teaches skills like public speaking, and gives them the opportunity to do something about issues that they are passionate about for young people.
Sarah Heffernan commented: “All of this hard work and dedication is the result of 18 young people from all across the city, giving up their time voluntarily to try and build a better future for the young people of Plymouth. They are a fantastic, diverse bunch of people to work with and I’m so proud of all they’ve achieved this year.”
Want to find out more or get involved?
Elections are held in Plymouth every January where the members are voted in by their peer group. Plymouth has two Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) and two Deputy Members of Youth Parliament (DMYP). Once elected they commit to between two and five hours a week working on their campaigns and representing the young people of Plymouth with issues that affect their lives.
The Plymouth Youth Cabinet is made of 12 young people aged between 13 and 19. Their aim is to support the Plymouth Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) and Deputy Members of Youth Parliament (DMYP) in achieving their goals as set out in their local, regional, and national manifestos.
If you would like to find out more or get involved, pleased get in touch:
Phone: 01752 667579 or 07818 511378
Fax: 01752 265792
E-mail: UKYP@plymouth.gov.uk
Websites:
www.plymouth.gov.uk/ukyp
www.plmyouth.co.uk
www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk
31st October 2010
Efford youth make a difference
This month’s award from The Kids Are Alright campaign goes to members of the Efford Youth Forum, who were nominated by Senior Youth Support Worker Kirsty Harris.
“I nominated this group as they have worked very hard over the last few months in preparation for a community event in Efford - the Happy Valley Day” said Kirsty.
“The entire group took part in working the event and had a fantastic time meeting other community members and groups. The group dedicated approximately 25 hours towards this event and managed to raise funds for their chosen charity the NSPCC.”
Efford Youth Forum is a group of between 5 and 8 young people aged 13 – 19, meeting every week at Efford Youth Centre. The Forum is represented at meetings of local community groups such as ‘Friends of the Valley’ and ‘Heart of Efford Community Partnership’.
“The Forum is a way for young people to have a voice in their community about things that they think need to happen or change for the better, working with the help of other local community groups,” explained Kirsty. “The community groups also know that the Forum will be there and they can give them information of how they would like youth to be involved in local issues, which the Forum members bring back to the Youth Centre.”
“It’s about helping and improving the local community” added Shannon.
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Over the last 12 months, the Youth Forum has been involved in two ‘Happy Valley Days’, and they have raised funds both times for NSPCC.
But it is much more than just fundraising. For the first event in March this year, the Forum members had to organise a stall selling food and drink, as well as a raffle. They were given a budget which they had to manage, and they were also tasked with preparing and distributing posters to promote the event. Forum members wrote letters to local businesses explaining the fundraising objectives and asking for donations for raffle prizes. They also completed a huge cookery task, producing 400 rice krispie cakes at the Youth Centre to sell on the day.
“They gave up their own time to do all this,” explained Kirsty. “If they hadn’t done it, then it wouldn’t have happened. They did really well from start to finish.”
A popular feature of the food and drink stall was a selection of ‘mocktails’ – non-alcoholic cocktails designed by the young people.
On the day, they raised £213.76, and later presented a cheque to Alison Armer of the NSPCC.
But that was just the start for Shannon Peters and Amy Hatrey. “When we met Alison she explained about the work of the NSPCC, and that it costs 40 pence just to have a call connected and handled. That made us want to raise more money for them.”
And so, with just two weeks notice, the girls got going again, this time for the July ‘Happy Valley Day’ under the umbrella of Efford FM, a one-day radio station that broadcast to the local community from the event in the valley.
Heart of Efford Community Partnership donated money for raffle prizes, and Amy and Shannon bought the prizes, contacted businesses for donations and in the end raised another £120.75 for the NSPCC.
They also presented a two hour radio show at the end of the day, helped by Darren Essery and Jodine Baker. During the show they profiled all the activities at the Efford Youth Centre, as well as the Summer Activities Programme, giving much needed publicity reaching young people who would later use the Youth Centre’s services.
Shannon and Amy, both 18, are currently studying Childcare and Youthwork respectively at Lipson Community College, and they are both aiming for places at Marjon next year on the Youth and Community Work degree course.
“Kirsty and the team of Youth workers here have really inspired us for this,” said Shannon. “Some people think that Youth Work does not achieve much, but it obviously does as you can see from our experiences.”
“It’s helped us loads, and given us loads of experience” added Amy. “We’ve learned new skills, like organisation, budgeting money, people skills.”
“The Forum members also sit on panels helping to decide on PAYP bid awards,” added Kirsty.
As well as college and Uni, Kirsty sees a good future for Shannon and Amy. “These girls are now going to be the leaders of the Efford Youth Forum, planning and programming events and activities, acting as peer mentors encouraging 14/15 year olds to get involved. They’ll lead it, with my help, not the other way round.
“Youthwork opens up lots of doors and opportunities, you meet so many people and the job is really varied, every day is different,” she added.
For Shannon and Amy, their time working on the Youth Forum has inspired them to believe in their ability to make a difference, and to aim high for their futures – they more than deserve the TKAA award for this month.
The last word goes to the girls, “We just want to say THANK YOU! to Kirsty, she’s been great.”
30th September 2010
Ricky's coaching effort earns him award
Honicknowle youngster Ricky Harris has come a long way since the Kickz youth football project came to Honicknowle Green when he was 14 years old, in 2009. He was spotted by Plymouth Argyle’s Kickz Co-ordinator Mickey McCloskey, who asked him if he would like to volunteer helping to coach with Kickz.
“I had been thinking about my future, and wanted to get involved with sport, so this was too good an opportunity to miss,” said Ricky, now aged 16. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a little boy,” he added.
Plymouth Argyle’s ‘Football in The Community’ team partners with the Police and Fire services to bring Kickz to Honicknowle on a regular basis, taking the ‘Soccerena’, a ready made pitch set-up, into the area for the youngsters to play on and receive proper coaching, all for free.
Ricky has been giving up his time to volunteer three evenings a week for the last 18 months, helping coach young people between the ages of 11 – 19 in football skills. He has also coached with Argyle’s Mini Soccer initiative during the school holidays.
Mark Lovell, PAFC Community Scheme Manager, said, “Ricky is a good role model for Honicknowle where he has gained respect from his peers and inspired others. He has been a great asset to the Kickz sessions, he’s a young ambassador to his local community and shows others that there are opportunities available to them within the Kickz programme.”
In fact, Ricky has done so well over the last year and a half, that Plymouth Argyle have offered him a two year coaching apprenticeship, starting in September, where he will be developing his skills as a coach, and earning an NVQ in sports development, leading to a nationally recognised coaching qualification.
“Doing this has really boosted my confidence,” commented Ricky. “I really enjoy it when the young people we coach ask me to show them how to do this or that. I show them, and then they get it and do it themselves – it’s great to be part of that.
“We learn respect for adults through this, by relating to the coaching team, and it also helps keep us out of trouble and gives us a way to get into sport.”
“I want to thank everyone at Argyle for the opportunity they have given me for the future, I appreciate all they’ve done for me,” Ricky added.
Ricky’s Mum Karen echoed Ricky’s appreciation of Argyle when she said “I’m really proud of Ricky for what he’s achieved in school and out of school, and thanks to Argyle for all they’ve done.”
31st August 2010
Dan’s the man… with help from his friends
Daniel Swabey and the team of young volunteers from the Kool Kids Club.JPG)
at Granby Island Community Centre (GICC) are June's winners of The Kids Are Alright award.
Daniel (20) is the Senior Play Worker alongside Kimberley Holbrook (18). Amy Darlington (18), and Lisa Holbrook (24) are Senior Volunteers, and completing the team are four more Volunteers: Michael Tippett (15), Lee Bromley (18), April Davey (15) and Jess Richards (16).
“I was aware we had a very young team, that’s why I asked Lisa to join – initially for one evening a week but now she’s here all the time, I sort of conned her into that,” said Daniel. “She is the Mum of one of the children, and she has brought a steadying influence.”
These eight young people, headed up by Daniel, currently run the Kool Kids Club every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening at GICC, where they have up to fifteen 4-13 year olds to look after and keep busy for two hours each evening.
The success of the Club is due in large part to Daniel and Kimberley’s initiative in 2008, when they rescued it from closure.
In 2008, when funds ran out and the club was about to close, Daniel and Kimberley, who were volunteering at the time, approached Sam Swabey (Chief Exec of GICC) and asked if they could continue the work themselves. Sam set them a number of challenges to prove themselves, which they overcame, and with some new funding from PAYP and DRCP they were up and running.
“I’ve been at the Club since I was a youngster, so has Kimberley, and I know how much it has meant to me. That’s why I wanted to make sure it carried on,” said Daniel.
“We put together the bids for funding, and began to plan sessions, supervise them and advertise the Club.”
Sam pushed them in at the deep end according to Daniel, “It was sink or swim really, but we achieved what we set out to do and it really built our confidence that we could continue to run the Club. Sam got us started, found the initial support and then let us stand on our own feet. On behalf of the team, I’d like to thank Sam and PAYP and DRCP for giving us the kick-start we needed.”
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As well as the evening sessions during term time, Daniel and the other volunteers run a holiday club, from 10 – 3 Monday, Wednesday and Friday during school holidays, which attracts up to 30 children between the ages of 4 and 13.
“Seeing someone like the child we have with ADHD, who cannot stay in school, but stays in the club the whole time, really motivates me,” said Daniel. “Devonport has been improved a lot over the last twenty years, and working with young people is part of that.
“I get a buzz off the things the kids achieve, and seeing them enjoying themselves makes volunteering here better than getting paid,” he added.
The experience Daniel has gained is already helping him, as he has just finished his first year at University where he is studying to be a primary school teacher. As well as the benefits for the children, Daniel says that the volunteers are all developing useful skills in their roles too. “Kimberley is about to complete her NVQ level 3 in Childcare. Amy, Lisa and Lee are also doing their NVQ’s, and the fact that all the volunteers have planned and led sessions successfully means that they are developing in confidence and skills. That’s another buzz for me.”
Alongside the regular staff, who come mostly from the Devonport area, there are two volunteers on placement from The Prince’s Trust and Future Jobs Fund. The recognition by other organisations given to the Club is also backed up by referrals from Social Services who regularly recommend that children join the activities.
“Seeing children achieve things that they never used to be able to do gives us all a good feeling,” said Daniel. “I’m learning with them as they learn, and it’s good fun. I don’t know many people who love their work as much as I do.”
During the Summer Holidays, Kool Kids Club will be open from 10am – 3pm for children aged 4-13. Details of how to apply for a place are available from Daniel Swabey on 01752 300201, alternatively you can drop in at Granby Island Community Centre during one of the sessions and ask to see Daniel or one of the team. The club is open to children from anywhere in Plymouth.
Can you help with funding?
Bids for funding are currently lodged with PAYP, but if you, or your organisation, can help with funding please contact Daniel on 300201 – the work they are doing in Devonport is having a positive impact in children’s lives.
30th July 2010
Ben is rewarded for his voluntary work
Ben Morgan, 15, is a winner of The Kids Are Alright Young Person of the Month Award for May. Ben, from Devonport, volunteers at both the Frederick Street Centre and Granby Island Youth Club. He spends 3-4 evenings a week at Granby, and 1-2 evenings at Frederick Street, so he’s a busy lad.
He was nominated by Marion Lee-Cerrino, who said, “I would like to congratulate Ben. He is an excellent role model, an active volunteer at Granby Island Forum and the Youth House Forum at Frederick Street. He has been peer educating members in the South West, explaining the Youth House project and its model to youth clubs, and successfully applying to Phoenix Education Trust for a £5,000 grant to develop democratic education through inclusion. Well done Ben!”
Ben has been volunteering at Granby since he was thirteen. “I went to the Youth Club for a while, and then it was almost closed, so I joined the forum to help keep the Club going,” said Ben.
Over the last couple of years, Ben and others have been responsible for helping raise funds for the Youth Club, at events like the annual November 5th Bonfire in Devonport and Summer fetes.
Ben’s work at Frederick Street is with the Youth Forum, who are instrumental in the Youth House Project. “The Youth House will be run by young people for young people,” explained Ben. “We will have plenty of things for young people to do, and also ‘sanctuary rooms’ for people with brain injuries, where they have lots of stimulation as part of their ongoing therapy.
“We’ll also have office space to rent out which is how we will partly fund the project.”
Land for the Youth House has been set aside by City College Plymouth, near to its Kings Road site by the old railway embankment. Ben and the Youth Forum team have already got architect’s drawings for the building, now they are looking to secure the planning permission and raise the funds.
Ben’s hobbies include designing computer games and reading, which he does in the little time he has left outside of school, where he aims to go on to study A levels and then University, to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.
30th June 2010
Harrison's deserved award
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A 21-year-old student from Plymouth who has already raised thousands of pounds to help deprived children in South Africa has set himself a massive £20,000 target this year.
Harrison Nash, who lives in Mannamead, went on a gap year visit to South Africa in 2007, taking advantage of the opportunity to work at a school and children's home in Port Elizabeth.
What he experienced so moved him that he has dedicated much of his life since - in between studies – either working as a volunteer in South Africa or raising money for the Protea Primary School and the Maranatha Children's Home.
Harrison has already raised £6,000 to help the youngsters in Port Elizabeth and last year went through the exhaustive process of setting up a registered charity in the UK to boost his fund-raising efforts.
The charity is called Maranatha Care Children and Harrison has set up a website to promote the work in South Africa and to encourage financial support from individuals and organisations in the UK and elsewhere in the world.
Harrison organised an official launch for the charity at The Treasury in Plymouth at the end of last year, raising £600 on the night and promoting the charity to more than 80 guests.
Harrison, who is in the second year of a social work degree at Plymouth University, attended Devonport High School for Boys and then spent a year working with his father's marketing company in London.
"I went to Port Elizabeth for my gap year project and have been back five times since," he said.
Harrison is spending his Easter break from university in Port Elizabeth, personally funding the trip, as he has done for all his visits. He will be spending the summer months in South Africa as well.
"All the money we raise goes to the work of the school and children's home in Port Elizabeth," he added. "The money we have raised has already helped in so many ways and has made a huge difference to the lives of these youngsters."
He said that funds raised had helped towards the cost of an extension at the children's home which meant that four more children could be accommodated and also paid for occupational therapy for the youngsters as well as membership of a Scout group for 15 of the children, which provided a host of weekly activities for them.
His dream this year is to raise £20,000 and he is already well on the way, having raised £3,000 in the first couple of months of the year. "I have been overwhelmed with the support I have already received. A friend is doing a sponsored sky dive for the charity and two others are taking part in a marathon to raise funds.
"It's amazing how much support people are prepared to give. Now that we have launched the website people can donate online, which will be an important way of raising funds going forward," he said.
Harrison explained that the ethos of the primary school and children's home is to provide a future for children who have come from an extremely abused or deprived background. The school is called a 'safe place' for youngsters who have no family or have been removed from their families because of neglect or abuse.
The children's home is a 'cluster foster' home for children and young people who have been taken into care to provide them with a safe and secure environment.
"Our aim is not only to provide a suitable home environment, but also to safeguard the futures of those in care," he said. "All children are entitled to grow up in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. But at Maranatha Care Children we also want to empower children and young people to fulfill their potential.
"We want to safeguard the future of young people in care coming to the end of their secondary schooling. It is about opening doors in allowing education and training to continue, and empowering care leavers to lead healthy and fulfilling independent lifestyles that do not put them back in an environment where they find themselves at risk of the very factors that forced them to flee in the first place."
There are about 20 children aged from seven to 20 at the Maranatha Children's Home and a similar number of children aged five to 14 at the Protea Primary School.
Harrison wants to use funds raised by the charity to help towards the cost of providing long term education and job opportunities for the youngsters.
"We want to offer these children the support they need; giving each child the individual attention and love they have not received. We want to open the doors for private education and additional therapy, where these children will see their potential realised. However with a lack of financial support such visions become hard to achieve.
"Our central ethos is long term involvement and looking at empowering and protecting the children and young people through to adulthood and their integration into society and independence, " he added.
For more information or to make a donation visit www.maranathacarechildren.com.
Young Entrepreneur TJ ...
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TJ Trueman is just one of the teenagers awarded for his positive contribution to society, at The Kids Are Alright launch event.
19 year old TJ, who lives in Stoke, is something of a young entrepreneur. He runs an independent record label, Vibe Productions, working with young people who love music and performing. At the time of our interview, he was planning a studio album mix with the youngsters, which he aims to sell in local record stores.
He also teaches street dance to people between the ages of 13-25, mixing ballet and modern, with break dance and hip hop, and performs as a DJ.
“There’s lots of talent out there,” said TJ, “and the way the younger people get involved in this project proves that they don’t all just waste their time. Music is a great way for them to express their feelings, and it’s fun for me too.”
But life has not been a bed of roses for TJ. As a black Asian, originally from Thailand, he experienced some racial abuse when he was younger, usually in the form of ‘mickey-taking’ as he puts it.
TJ also struggled academically, and says that his GCSE results “weren’t brilliant”. It was only at the age of 17 that he was finally diagnosed with dyslexia, which explained a lot of his difficulties with schoolwork. “Until then I thought I was thick, and people said so.”
But he turned those negative experiences into something positive: “I thought I’d best do something for myself. The people who took the mickey out of me aren’t going anywhere yet, but I am. I know a lot of kids get bullied at school. My advice is try to let it go and get on with your life.”
TJ truly deserves his award, and is a good example of how young people every day are using their lives to contribute something good for their communities. He had a final word for his step-Dad:
“My step-Dad has been the best I could have. He taught me to wake up every morning and think ‘If I don’t do it, who will?’” That advice seems to have stood TJ in good stead.
You can find more positive stories about young people, post your opinions and take our survey, online at www.thekidsarealright.co.uk. And if you know of a young person or youth group doing great things in Plymouth, why not nominate them and get them the recognition they deserve?
If their story's picked as the best for that month, they'll win a £50 shopping voucher and a certificate - and of course, have their story published! Nominate them online at www.thekidsarealright.co.uk.
Ex-Homeless Teen wins Kids are Alright Awards
A FORMER teenage tearaway who turned her life around has been crowned Kid of the Year at an awards ceremony recognising positive youth contributions.
Michelle Ewart, 19, from Wisbech, beat eight other finalists to win the prestigious prize, chosen by readers of the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard newspapers.
Michelle was presented with a trophy and £150 of shopping vouchers by Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Julie Spence during The Kids Are Alright Awards at Wisbech Fire Station on Monday 29 March.
Three years ago, Michelle became homeless after breaking the law and getting into trouble at school. She was referred to the young people’s careers advice service Connexions and went on to complete the Prince’s Trust Award and a 12-week course at Wisbech Fire Station, aimed at boosting young people’s confidence.
Michelle now volunteers as a youth worker in Murrow and Parson Drove, helping other young people unlock their potential.
She said she was surprised to win the Kid of the Year Award, crediting Connexions adviser Dawn Carter for helping her transform her life.
Emily Hill, 13, of Whittlesey, and Abbie Ross, 18, of Friday Bridge, were declared Kid of the Year runners-up, receiving trophies and prizes of £50 in shopping vouchers each.
Emily raised over £2,250 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, moved by the plight of her friend Siobhan Southwell, who had to have her kidney replaced in 2007. She raised most of the cash by climbing up Mount Snowdon when she was just 10.
Abbie recently spent six months volunteering at a school, orphanage and hospital in Kenya, helping some of the world’s poorest children.
The Kids Are Alright Awards marked the end of the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard’s multi award-winning, youth stereotype-busting Kids Are Alright campaign. Speaking at the event, editor John Elworthy said the campaign had helped the newspapers re-examine their coverage of young people.
Mr Elworthy said: “The Kids Are Alright has been a fundamental assault on society’s perceptions of young people. We’ve championed a very different side to that often reported in the media, reflecting not just a positive side but covering stories of individual courage, stamina, fortitude, ingenuity and a steely-eyed vision for the task in hand. It’s been an encouraging experience and one that has won over many of those cynics who expressed to me the unlikelihood of sustaining this campaign over a prolonged period. Well sorry cynics, you were wrong. The evidence is here tonight.”
Twenty-six young people and fifteen youth teams were honoured for their positive contributions to the Fenland community throughout the evening, which included entertainment by Cambridge breakdance crew Dance Offensive and drama students from Peterborough Regional College.
Dignitaries attending the awards included Chief Constable Julie Spence, Chief Fire Officer Graham Stagg, Fenland district councillors Steve Garrett and Ken Mayor, Wisbech Mayor Yvonne Lawrence and Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Jill Tuck.
The evening was hosted by Fenland Youth District Councillors Phoebe Nickalls and Siana Rawlings.
Launched last February, The Kids Are Alright challenges youth stereotypes by highlighting positive contributions young people make to their communities. It’s used weekly newspaper coverage, posters and events to get its message across.
The Kids Are Alright also involves the Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board, Fenland District Council, Fenland Youth District Council, Connexions, the Fire Service and Cambridgeshire County Council.
The Kids Are Alright was recently crowned Community Campaign of the Year at the EDF Energy East of England Awards and has also scooped the Youth Justice Board’s Best Communication in Youth Justice Award.
All of the artwork for the campaign has been designed by Wisbech graphic design student Beth Moore, 20, and features local youth.
See www.cambstimes.co.uk/content/cambstimes/kidsarealright/default.aspx.
31st March 2010
Oli Dives into Fundraising!
(Click the image to download full article as a PDF)
Sixteen year old Oli Milroy really does turn some of our perceptions of young people on their heads. Oli recently won an award from The Kids Are Alright campaign for his outstanding contribution to charity work and voluntary community work. Currently studying four A levels at Plymstock School, in his ‘spare’ time Oli carries out a wide range of voluntary activities, including Sky Diving from 15,000 feet, for charity!
“The sky dive was incredible,” said Oli, “it was a massive adrenaline rush. I’m not very keen on heights, so it was good to help me overcome that fear.” The sky dive was in aid of the Drake Foundation, a local charity which provides a fund for community projects in Plymouth, and took place at Dunkeswell airfield.
So far, the sky dive has raised £600 with money still coming in. The funds raised will be matched by the government’s Grass Roots funding, so the final total will be over £1,200.
Oli has done a number of stunts to raise funds for the Drake Foundation, including having his legs waxed. “That really brought tears to my eyes, but I did it twice,” he added.
Nowadays, he is more involved in organising fundraising events, but has plans for the future. “I’d love to cycle from John O’ Groats to Lands End, or walk from Newquay to Plymouth, to raise more money,” said Oli.
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Oli loves long distance walking, using skills he has learned as a Scout (he is now an Explorer). Having himself completed both the 35 and 45 mile Ten Tors challenges, he also helps to train the junior Ten Tors team at Dunstone Primary school.
Another string to Oli’s voluntary bow is working as a volunteer for the Police, from whom he has received a Good Citizenship award for involvement with a Week of Action and also the ‘Don’t Get Plastered’ campaign, which aimed to reduce the incidence of teenage drunkenness.
So what’s next for Oli? “In April, I’m going to Auschwitz with the charity ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’. The idea is to learn from being there, then come back to Plymouth and organise presentations to raise awareness of the horrors that happened there, so that we can learn from history and not repeat the same mistakes ever again.”
Like many people, Oli believes that the perception of young people is often negative because of two main things: the actions of a small minority, and the way that the media portrays the problems of youth more than their good side.
“The Kids Are Alright is a brilliant campaign,” said Oli, “we’re not all bad!”
For more information on The Kids Are Alright, or to take the online survey and record your views of young people, visit www.tkaa.co.uk.
22nd March 2010
Vox Pops from Event Launch
There was a meeting of the older generation with the younger, when 91 Year old Mr Searle chatted with Kids Are Alright award winner Darryl Hurt and the Shopper’s Ian Pilkington.
Mr Searle had travelled to Plymouth for a holiday from his home in Somerset, and was enjoying listening to the music and watching the young people hurtling around the skate park.
“I like to see young people happy,” said Mr Searle, “They don’t do enough for young people today, they need more stuff like skate parks. Where I live, there’s nothing for them to do. It’s wrong.”
Mr and Mrs Mercer, from the Wirral on Merseyside, were two more visitors in town for the day, who were having fun watching all that was going on.
“It’s only really a handful of young people that spoil it for everyone,” said Mr Mercer, 71. “I don’t understand their music, but live and let live.” When asked what the differences were between young people today and those of his generation, Mr Mercer had some firm views, “Compared to me, they get away with murder. A lot now seem to have no respect for anyone.”
“But some of the older people, the way they speak to the younger ones, can also be nasty,” added Mrs Mercer.
Mr Mercer had more to say: “A lot of old people see all these kids and they won’t go anywhere near them, due to fear. I don’t think they understand them, and the media gives them bad publicity – you never see good stories about them.”
Those views were echoed by Ian Smith, aged 51, who is an Extended Services Co-ordinator with Plymouth City Council: “My generation were told we were the future of the country, right from when we were at primary school. We were affirmed. I don’t see much of that nowadays. Now it’s so negative. But this day is brilliant, it’s what they deserve, they are our future. We all have a duty to give them these positive messages.”
Simon deGroot is the Volunteer Centre Manager for Plymouth Guild. The Guild interviewed people throughout the day, about their perceptions of young people. “Plymouth Guild is the lead organisation in another project called ‘Generations Together’,” said Simon, “Today we’ve had a mix of opinions. Some say they feel intimidated by groups of young people, but others balance that by saying it’s just a minority warping the public perception. Many people mentioned the media as seeking to present bad news in general, rather than reporting something inspiring, creative and productive.
“We asked young people ‘If you had the ear of those in power who could change things, what would you say?’ Their response was ‘Give us a chance.’”
Elaine Shotton, one of the event organisers, was delighted that the day had gone so well. “Our aims for this event, and for the next year, are to raise the profile of young people in the city and to get generations talking to each other. Usually in town on a Saturday groups of young people are avoided by the older people out shopping. Today, they’ve all mixed together – it’s been a nice vibe, a really nice day.
“It’s also been good to see Youth workers, Police and Fire services side by side. The Police had a few games of football in the Muga (the Plymouth Argyle Kickz project football arena), it was good for young people to see them get their jackets off and get so involved.
“I think this is a sound footing for the launch of our website (www.tkaa.co.uk), where people can find out so much more about the Kids Are Alright campaign.”
8th March 2010
Skydive Oli Milroy from Plymstock School
Oli Milroy is a student at Plymstock School. He has always dreamed about doing a Skydive from an early age and now that he is 16 he has decided to make the jump to benefit his community. When Oli heard about the Drake Foundation and the work it does for local volunteer and community groups he started thinking about ways to help.
Oli is a popular pupil at Plymstock School and he is often looking for ways to help his community. He has found many ways of raising money from leg waxing, netball and sponge the teacher. He is a keen outdoors enthusiast being an explorer for the 1st Elburton unit and completed the ten tor’s several times.
Oli is also a Police cadet in his spare time, he’s completed one week’s voluntary work for the police, he has been awarded a police good citizenship award for the work he’s done within the community.
The Drake Foundation is very proud to have Oli working with them. Steve Davis the CEO of the Drake Foundation said “Oli is a remarkable young man with a passion for helping others. He is extremely motivated to support his community. All of the people I know that have met Oli are amazed by his commitment and drive”.
Oli has booked his skydive on 6th March 2010 at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton. He intends to raise as much money as possible over the next few months.
The Drake Foundation will put the money into the Plymouth Grassroots Challenge; this will ensure all of the money Oli raises will be matched by the Government and then available for community groups to apply for grants.
Good Luck Oli !
6th March 2010
