Their project was so successful, they were even asked by the council to review a number of their buildings and the DVD has since been used by many schools throughout the UK. Their hard work, creativity and dedication to the cause is what made them one of the winners in the 2009 Performance category. To find out more about their project, check out the video below:

If you or someone you know has taken action on an issue or cause like the Time4Change group, send in a nomination to the CHANGEit awards. There’s only 1 week left before the deadline on 11 December 2009 so act fast! Nominate today!

Unlike other awards, we’re not concerned about your exam marks, academic achievements or how many GCSE’s you have. (Don’t get us wrong…education is REALLY important!) But, at CHANGEit, the focus is more on the kinds of activities you do and the ways in which you have an impact on the world around you. Do you spend your time winge-ing? Or do you volunteer in the community, mentor a peer, fundraise for charity or find creative ways to turn negatives into positives? Taking part in or leading activities that have a positive impact on your community means you’re changing the way society works and building a better future for everyone. It’s that kind of activity CHANGEit wants to recognise and reward!

So if you’re taking action, want to get involved or are interested in showing the world the change you see around you – get involved with CHANGEit! We have training, support and cash prizes of up to £750 to award to finalists in three categories:

• Innovation – for people who have an idea to improve their community but need training or support to get started
• Performance – to celebrate the achievements of young people who have already taken positive action in their local areas.
• Photography – young people’s photos that capture campaigning in action or images that illustrate the change you see in the world around you

Don’t miss out! It doesn’t matter what kind of action you’re taking, if it’s positive, creative and having an impact we want to make sure you get the recognition you deserve. The deadline to send in your ideas, photographs and campaigning successes is 11 December 2009.

The North East Business & Innovation Centre has a division called Big Ideas. They’ve developed a Big Idea Generator to help you think up new ideas! Just type in your question or problem, and it’ll ask you a whole variety of weird questions to help you think about all the aspects of your issue. You never know what ideas it’ll help you come up with.

When you have your great idea, submit it for an Innovation award and you could win the training and funding to get your big idea off the ground. Go ahead…get generating!

Remember…you don’t have to be a superhero to make a positive change in the world. Anyone can CHANGEit!

CHANGEit is looking for photos of young people and ‘campaigning in action’. We want to see all the great things young people are doing so we can help spread the word! Is there a volunteer group in your area that is making positive change? Do you have a friend who has taken action to change something in their school, club or community? Do you participate in campaign activities? Take your camera or borrow someone elses and get snapping!

CHANGEit has prizes of £250 for winning entries and will display all finalist photos at an exhibition in central London and online.

It’s a terrific opportunity! Find out more about the photography contest.

This year, prizes are available in 3 categories:

Innovation
for young people who have big ideas but need help getting them off the ground

Performance
for young people who have already launched campaigns that are making a difference

Photography
a photo contest for young people to capture campaigning and change in action

So put on your thinking caps, nominate yourself or your friends and dust off your camera to find the change that’s happening throughout the uk.

Nominations will open on 1 October.