Time4Change helps schools improve accessibility

The Time4Change group 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.

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!

Closing the gap between young and old - The Friends of Heriot Grange

Nearly everywhere you go, you're likely to hear adults talking about young people causing trouble and young people saying adults don't understand them. Most of the time, this is because adults and young people don't always have a chance to spend time with each other and learn what the other's life is like.

The Friends of Heriot Grange are six young people from Hartlepool who are closing that gap by spending time at a local elderly residence. They were winners in the 2009 Innovation category of the CHANGEit awards for their campaign to plan more activities that bring people of all ages together and inspire more young people at their school to volunteer to spend time with the residents of Heriot Grange.

Take a look at a day at Heriot Grange:



Campaigns about closing the age gap and any other action that is making a difference to people in a UK community, are exactly what CHANGEit wants to recognise. If you're running a campaign, have an idea to create change or know a young person who fits the bill, nominate them for a CHANGEit award today!

Meet Christina: CHANGEit Winner and Volunteer

Nominations for the 2010 CHANGEit awards are underway, so we thought what might be helpful, is to introduce you to some of the past winners so you can see what kinds of unique, fun and inspiring projects the CHANGEit awards are all about.

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!

Calling young people to take action and CHANGEit

That's right! CHANGEit is now officially accepting nominations for the 2010 awards. Are you volunteering, campaigning or taking action to create change in your local area? We want to hear from you.



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.

Going to the cinema? Can you spot CHANGEit?

If you're planning to go to the cinema any time soon, keep and eye out for CHANGEit. Common Purpose and Deutsche Bank have launched a batch of cinema postcards to help spread the word about the opportunities available through CHANGEit. So keep your eyes peeled and if you find them, post them to friends, family and colleagues who might know someone to nominate, hand them out to friends who have ideas for campaigns or pin them up on your wall and nominate yourself!

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

CHANGEit wants your pictures!

Are you savvy with a camera but need a subject? Why not take pictures of young people volunteering or campaigning!

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! For more information visit www.changeit.org.uk.

CHANGEit is making changes...

True to our title, CHANGEit is making changes again. This year, we've totally re-designed the website with useful lesson plans and campaigner tools, a press centre, a new blog and lots of fun features and photos. We've also added another category - a photography contest! We're looking for young people's pictures of 'campaigning in action that has been started or helped by young people.

So get your cameras out, your ideas organised and your mouse ready. CHANGEit opens for nominations starting tomorrow - 1 October 2008!

To submit a nomination, visit www.changeit.org.uk!