Being part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be an amazing experience. We are passionate about volunteering, inspiring young people to get active and showing the world that young people contribute massively to society in a positive way. Keeping our fingers crossed we get through to the next stage!

Applications for most events are now closed but see how you can get involved at http://festival.london2012.com/

UK Youth’s AGM was yesterday – Voice members not only attended, getting to meet some really influential people within and out of UK Youth, but gave an awesome presentation to the whole AGM. Ryan, NE rep, even did some rapping!

UKYV members Rachel, Carys and Meyada became Trustees of UK Youth and are now part of the board which makes decision as to how the charity is run.

Our next meeting is in Stratford Upon Avon on 18th – 20th where will begin planning on our 2012 conference! Watch this space!

For regular updates follow us on Twitter

(@ukyv)

Check us out on Facebook

http://tinyurl.com/65o4ynw!

UK Youth’s project Hearing Unheard Voices (HUV) has been nominated for the NCVYS Young Partners Award.

Last Friday, UK Youth’s Participation Worker and me attended the NCVYS Young Partners South Regional Showcase event at Baden-Powell House in London – giving us the chance to promote the HUV project and see what others have been up to.

As well as getting involved with the other workshops, I helped to present a workshop about HUV. It was a bit scary talking in front of a group of 15 people I didnt know but I was really feeling up to the challange! We discussed the challenges of campaigning and issues that young people were campaigning about such as homelessness – I was able to give an insight into my own expeirence in this area and explained how working on the HUV project allowed me to progress on to UKYV.

We also showcased all the work HUV has done with its young partners such as podcasts, videos, mini protestors and use of social networks.

The Award Ceremony will be on 15th October in London which 9 HUV members and me will be attending – hope we win!! Fingers crossed

The scariest part of the day was going on the underground on my own but I did it and feel really proud of the whole experience.

Craig, North West rep

We helped to sell raffle tickets and sell t-shirts, and helped to serve food. It was great fun and helped to raise funds for an amazing charity!!

Rachel Aston UKYV Chair

I attended the event to show my support, listen to others and have a say! The young people had been given topics in regards to the riots and were asked to discuss them. Groups and individuals represented these mini dicussions and then came onstage for 1 minute to describe these. I think just hearing what each others had to say was a great opportunity and the young people looked very empowered.

I found it very inspiring that about 200 young people could come together in
one room, in their own time and talk about the riots. Some interesting things were said, there were a lot of young people who felt very excluded from their communities, lots of young people saddened by what had happened, some thought this was to be expected after recent cuts etc, but there was the general view that if we work together we can achieve what we strive to achieve; one girl came onstage with her 2 year old daughter and spoke about her future, some teenagers talked about discrimination and lack of police-citizen communication and respect. All of these young people held the idea that the society they are growing up in, is not working for LOTS of different reasons.

I think we tend to blame one thing – police, government… but it isn’t
one thing. We can pinpoint each tiny thing that has contributed to this mess, but the important thing for me is there are people willing to make change and these young people are becoming aware that they need to be the change. I think events such as these would be great on a more regular basis- these
young people felt like they had nowhere to go, and events like this seem to get
them heard more. I guess this is the job of UK Youth Voice – so i look forward to
getting more in touch with this dis-engaged peers over the next coming year.

If we want to build bridges we need to stop whinging and put the effort in. We need to multiply this positivity, and I am sure we can.

Sally, London rep for UKYV

UK Youth Voice

For more info on the UK Youth Voice conference please visit: http://ukyouthvoiceconference2011.eventbrite.com/

• Young People for Inclusion

• St Peter’s Youth Committee

• Thurrock Youth Forums

• Peasedown Youth Centre

• Plume School

• South Canning Detached Youth Project

Congratualations to the successful applicants! Cant wait to see you at the conference!

Tickets for the conference are on sale until 24th June – for more info and to book your place please visit

http://ukyouthvoiceconference2011.eventbrite.com/

UK Youth Voice

UKYV have been given a bursary that will allow us to offer 20 places at only £45 each – deadline for applications is 6th May. For more info and an application form, please contact Claire Dever (claire.d@ukyouth.org)

UKYV

TICKETS FOR UK YOUTH VOICE’S ANNUAL NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ARE NOW ON SALE!!!!

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER YOUR DETAILS PLEASE GO TO:

http://ukyouthvoiceconference2011.eventbrite.com

SEE YOU THERE!!!

UKYV

Well done to Jade and Sammie for delivering such a fab presentation and congrats to Jack who did a sterling job as Mr Compere. Thanks to Dean, Craig, Carys and Rachel for plugging the conference and networking so well – you were described as “inspirational” and “passionate” by many of the delegates. What a great day!

UKYV