Here they are – the WINNERS in the 2009 CHANGEit Performance category! We’re really proud of all these campaigners who have taken action, big or small, to make a difference in their local communities.

Fairway Court Garden

Ryan, age 17, from Westham was fed up with bad press about young people in his local area and decided to take action to show that young people can do more than cause trouble. He recruited a number of young people to design and build the Bedford Rose Garden at a local elderly residence. The garden, which they maintain since the residents aren’t able to, has become a symbol of their good work and already changed perceptions about young people in their town.

Who Cares?

Dede, Ian, Holly and Kirsty, aged 16-18, from Co. Durham are all young carers who wanted to raise awareness about what it’s like to be a young carer. They developed displays and hosted events called Who Cares? to raise awareness amongst their peers and to provide information and training for teachers, youth workers and local authorities who work with young carers.

Time4Change

The Time4Change group, aged 13-18, from York are all young people with varying special needs. Though many go to special schools, some had attended mainstream schools in the past and felt that there are a number of very small changes schools can make to ensure that there is better access and inclusion in the school atmosphere. They toured a number of schools and created a DVD and booklet to help schools think about simple, inexpensive changes they can make, from changing paint colour to putting in ramps.

Popular Vote Winners –> Youth Anti-Binge Drinking

A Youth Action Group in Stockport with 9 members, aged 14-18, took on the task of raising awareness in their local areas and schools about an Anti-Binge Drinking campaign. They created a DVD and have run sessions in schools to provide peer education on the dangers in the hopes that young people will have a better understanding and drink responsibly when they get older.