“Scheming” – by Jon. 2009 CHANGEit Photography finalist.

According to research published in the magazine Children & Young People Now, 98% of 12- to 25-year-olds feel that the media always, often or sometimes represents them as antisocial.  That’s alot of young people! 

That’s why organisations like CHANGEit are aiming to share good stories about youth, and better yet, support them in speaking for themselves and taking action on the things they’re passionate about.  The other day we learned about another great project that’s aiming to help young people speak out through their writing – My Voice: Write or Wrong?

My Voice is a bursary scheme that wants to help 13 to 19 year old writers develop their skills.  They are awarding nine bursaries to young people who are passionate and committed to developing their writing, can write in a variety of styles including poetry, fiction, journalism and plays and can demonstrate through their writing an ability to look at the issues of our time (Example: contemporary life for young people; freedom of expression; preventing violent extremism or young people in the media)

Bursary winners will be mentored by professional writers, have a chance to share their own writing to a large audience, receive book tokens and work with local libraries to help select great books for young people. 

If you’re a young writer or know a young person who fits the bill, tell them about this terrific opportunity.  More information can be found on the My Voice: Write or Wrong? website.  The deadline for applications is 5 October 2009 so get writing!

If you are already active in your local communities – perhaps as a student representative, or a trustee of a local charity, or on your local residents association committee, the About Time programme can help you consider your next steps in your public life career. The programme is specially designed to help with the transition from local appointment, to a regional or national one.  You’ll be introduced to senior board members, the principles of good governance and their practical application, and have an opportunity to reflect on your own strengths and motivations to make sure you can make the best contribution to public life. The programme is also a great development opportunity, with skills workshops to ensure you’re a more effective board member, and advice and help on the application process and techniques.

Placements on the training sessions are fully funded by the Anchor Trust.  For more information, or to download an application form visit the About Time website.  

There are still a few places left for the first programme on 12 & 13 November 2009, but be quick!

Just last week our finalists met with the team at Junction49.co.uk, a website designed for 16-25 year olds to share their ideas and campaigns to get support and followers. Terrific resources so check it out! www.junction49.co.uk

The CHANGEit team also met Battlefront Campaigner Tom, who’s working on a Random Acts of Kindness campaign and formed ‘The Do-Gooder Army’.  Tom and other Battlefront campaigners will be featured in a new Channel 4 show…but they’re looking for more campaigners!  So get on line and ‘Muck In‘ with Battlefront to see if you can share your campaign on TV. Even if you don’t have a campaign…you can still vote for your favourites!

CHANGEit is here to help though. We’ve put together a bunch of resources and tips to help you with your campaigning. But we know we can do more.

We want to hear from you! What would help you CHANGEit? Leave us a comment below or send us an email at changeit@commonpurpose.org.uk. We’ll gather all your thoughts and do what we can to help!