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!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight past finalists in each category with video and pictures. Their stories are just a few of the billions of examples of what young people are doing to make a difference in the UK. If you’re out there making a difference too…share your story and enter the CHANGEit awards.

Now, meet Christina:

Christina, 16, has been volunteering in Action for Stannington since the age of 12. Zumming up and down Stannington on her 50cc scooter, Christina is able to organise activities and tasks, keeping her peers out of boredom. Jobs such as gardening for older residents, looking after the local park, art and craft, recycling or simply chill out afternoons are often led by Christina. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Christina has had the opportunity to meet every Sheffield’s Lord Mayor for the last four years, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, Nick Clegg MP, South Yorkshire’s Lord Lieutenant, South Yorkshire’s High Sheriff and HRH The Duke of York (true!). Same as any other young volunteer in Action for Stannington, Christina comes from a socially disadvantaged background; yet she has been able to put her energies and enthusiasm to good use. Christina and her peers would rather be out and about doing something worthwhile, rather than sitting long hours attending boring meetings.

CHANGEit is thrilled to have been able to recognise the fantastic work Christina does, and hopes to recognise thousands more like Christina during 2010!

Rajeeb Dey was a finalist in the 2004 Spotlight awards (the awards Common Purpose and Deutsche Bank ran just before we started CHANGEit in 2008). Later, he went on to found ESSA, the English Secondary Students’ Association, an organisation that works to give young people a voice. And more recently, he’s been working on Enternships.com, fantastic new way of connecting new enterprising organisations, with bright young talent.

Enternships.com gives students and graduates the opportunity to build employability skills by working with the world’s most cutting edge entrepreneurs and start-ups. Every corporate values entrepreneurial work experience on candidates CVs, while some of the most talented and creative minds have ultimately chosen the entrepreneurial route. Whether you want to learn how to be the next Steve Jobs or Richard Branson, or simply have a CV that stands out from the rest – check out Enternships. You never know what opportunities might be available!

Just goes to show you how young people can make a difference, Raj has been doing it for years, and you can do it too (perhaps with a bit of help from ESSA, Enternships or CHANGEit!)