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Paid Opportunities for young people

We're super pleased to announce that applications to our Organisational Development Programme are now open across London, Birmingham and South Wales.

The Changemakers Organisational Development Programme sees 16-25 year olds work with organisations to help them more effectively engage with young people. We are currently recruiting for young people to work in the following exciting organisations, with two more organisations potentially getting involved very soon!

Axiom Housing Association (Peterborough)

Carmarthen Youth Project (Carmarthen)

Charlton Athletic Community Trust (London)

Ethnic Youth Support Team (Swansea)

Genesis Housing Association (London)

Get Connected (London)

Groundwork UK (Birmingham)

Gwalia (Cardiff)

Look Ahead Housing (London)

NHS England (London)

Pogo Digital (Cardiff)

Sport England (London)

Zokit (Cardiff)

You can find out more by visiting http://www.changemakers.org.uk/get-involved.

Deadlines for applications is Thursday 7th August at 9am. Please visit https://www.formstack.com/forms/changemakers-application to submit your application.

Leadership for Employability WE ARE RECRUITING!

Leadership for Employability is a programme aimed to unlock the leadership potential in young people to access employment opportunities.

This programme will be delivered from September to December over 40 hours with additional key dates for talent coaches including a FREE 5 day residential.

There are several levels at which you can get involved.

We are recruiting for the following positions:

Talent coaches (18+ years old)

Host organisations

Changemakers (16- 25 years old)

For further information including application packs, please contact Maria at [email protected] or 07966 523 145.

Blog from a changemaker: emails and chimps and venues (oh my)

Newcastle changemaker, Fionn, has been blogging about his experience organising celebration event re/ACT, as part of his Organisational Development Placement...

After the meeting last Monday (14th Aug), I felt like we were well on our way in preparations of our re/ACT event (4th September). The first thing Lizzie talked me through was our email system (contact: [email protected]), so that I am able to keep up to date with what is going on and respond to people asking questions, which is obviously always good.

As well as this, I designed a Mail Chimp to be sent around to changemakers, organisations and other people who may want to volunteer in at event. Not only was this helpful in terms of the re/ACT event, but it helped me develop my skills for future things which may crop up, where using Mail Chimp would be useful.

Last week I organised it with Seven Stories that we could use the Storylab Studio on the 10th August for the workshop with Annie Rigby (check out our Facebook event here for more information), which is amazing as it is in the heart of Ouseburn; the perfect location for our arts and culture placement preparation to occur. As well as this, the Claires have had a look around Northern Stage to think about how we could use the space on the 11th in the best way and have fed back some amazing ideas.

So that’s email, Mail Chimp and venues. What else have we done over the past couple of weeks? As yes, we made preparations to complete our Gold Arts Award through the project, which is exciting, but I know I am going to have to keep on top of it if I want the Arts Award to be a success. Updates regarding that to come very soon.

So that’s about it for now. Claire H is going on holiday for the next week so won’t have any proper updates until after then.

At the moment I am feeling good about the event although a little apprehensive. Neither Claire H or I know what the event is going to look like exactly but I think that is kind of the point. The workshops with Annie are going to help shape the entire thing. The collaborative aspect of this project is what I love most about it, even if it is a bit stressful in the meantime.

Anyway, I hope you’re all well. This is changemaker Fionn signing off.

Fionn x

Big Wins at the Youth Focus: North East Awards!

We are pleased as punch to announce that our very own John Percival, Changemaker Coach extraordinaire, has won Youth Work Manager of the Year at the Youth Focus: North East Awards. Changemakers also scooped up the award for Most Innovative Project for our collaboration with Tyneside Mind and Youth Focus North East on the project Change Your Mind About Young People. This is a project which seeks to involve young people in the health care they receive from their local GPs. Read more about this here. These awards are a tribute to the incredible work of our staff and the brilliant young people we work with every day.

[pictured, left to right: John Percival, Lizzie Nixon and Adam Clements, our Changemakers team in the North East, at the awards ceremony]

The ceremony was held on Tuesday April 8th in the Stadium of Lights. It was an uplifting celebration of the fantastic work done by so many individuals and organisations in the North East for young people. We felt very lucky to be in a room with such a hardworking, inspirational group of people. All those who were honoured and nominated for the awards were incredibly deserving, and we feel motivated and inspired by their work and accomplishments.

We look forward to a year of continuing hard work and progress. Thank you so much to Youth Focus: North East for these honours. We're hugely grateful.

A warm welcome to the Diaspora Changemakers Cohort of 2014!

We are hugely thrilled to be beginning a new iteration of The Changemakers Experience in collaboration with Comic Relief and RSA for a fantastic group of future leaders. The programme kicked off with two 'Discover' days in London and Newcastle, taking place on 15 March and 21st March respectively.

Our Discover day is a key element to our programme; it is the first step prospective changemakers take upon the journey of self-awareness and inner discovery that we seek to support them through. Though it is technically an assessment day, and part of the application process, it is as much an opportunity for applicants to assess us as it is for us to assess them. Our programme is unique, and undoubtedly asks for a level of bravery and commitment that not everyone is necessarily in a position to offer. The Discover day gives applicants the chance to dip a toe into The Changemakers Experience and see whether it is something they want to move forward with.

The Discover days held in the past several weeks were, by all accounts, huge successes. The participating staff were enormously impressed by the diverse range of young people who attended. This particular round of our programme is aimed at 18-35 year olds of African heritage who are committed to changing themselves and the world around them.

Everyone put their all into the day, staff and applicants alike. 'It was an amazing Discover event,' said Changemakers coach Maria Sykes of the London event. 'So many inspiring potential changemakers, and I look forward to working with them in the coming months'.

Acceptance letters have now been sent out, and the programme begins in earnest for this bright new cohort on April 11th with Inspire, our 3-day intensive residential weekend. In follow-up interviews with other cohorts, the majority of changemakers cited this weekend as a challenging and rewarding element of their experience on the programme. Many said that it was their favourite part. We wish our newest cohort luck, and cannot wait to see the great things that they will undoubtedly produce as they continue through their Changemakers Experience.

3rd April 2014

Pop Up Talent - A Continuing Success

Changemakers has been working in partnership with the Foyer Federation on Pop Up Talent since February 2013, delivering a series of Pop Up Talent Shops around the country. These shops aim to connect local young people with various employers and industries through an exhibition supported by the presence of Pop Up Ambassadors. These ambassadors are young people charged with the task of engaging and recruiting young people from the area to come and see the shops, and supporting them to explore the offerings on the day. Youth unemployment is, as we are all well aware, a significant challenge in this country. The Pop Up Talent Shops seek to help young people uncover their inner passions and discover new ways to work.

In the last week of March, three Pop Up Talent shops were held in Braintree, Handsworth and Cardiff. The Braintree Shop was a huge success, and all who participated were pleased with the day. A tremendous selection of employers exhibited, and a representative from The Big Lottery Fund attended. Similarly, Handsworth was also a success, with over 80 young people attending the event.

Our Cardiff shop, the final event of the Pop Up Talent shops in Wales, was delivered with a similar success. Casino croupiers, live musicians and even a DJ made appearances throughout the day, creating an atmosphere and getting young people through our doors. The DJ even gave a scratching lesson to one of our excellent Pop Up Ambassadors. The shop took place on the day of the teachers' strike, and though it appeared that many young people stayed at home, we still managed to secure great numbers and were sad to say goodbye to Wales for the time being.

The success of the shops is encouraging, and it's been fantastic to meet so many young people across the country. Watch this space for more updates as further shops pop up!

Diaspora Changemakers

Diaspora ChangeMakers is a new project that seeks to identify and bring together the UK’s most promising leaders of African heritage with a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa.

Led by the RSA with Comic Relief and Unbound Philanthropy, the programme will involve a number of activities, including the creation of a new ChangeMakers network, and leadership development courses.

Changemakers is offering a transformational opportunity that starts with a six-month leadership programme – The Changemakers Experience. Our innovative approach will empower and equip you to make a positive change in yourself and in the world around you.

We are looking for inspired, ambitious and motivated 18-35 year olds of African heritage who are committed to changing themselves and their world.

Watch this space for details for how to apply!

North East young people graduate from leadership programme

This week, fifteen young people from across the North East graduated from leadership programme ‘The Changemakers Experience’.

The programme is run by charity Changemakers and provides a life changing and inspiring leadership experience to young people aged 16 – 25, empowering and equipping them to make a positive change in themselves and the world around them. At an event held at The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, the young people, known as ‘changemakers’, celebrated their achievements over the past few months and were presented with certificates to mark their successes in the programme. Over the last three months, the group, who are from Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside, have developed their leadership skills in areas such as communication, decision-making and resilience. They have then gone on to design and deliver social action projects within their local communities. Emma Ramshaw, 25, one of the participants in The Changemakers Experience said: “Changemakers has given me confidence, laughs, friends, and experiences I never thought I would have. It’s also given me the ability to take a step forward in my life to make changes that I’ve always wanted to do but I never thought I had the ability or opportunity to do, and to challenge my fears.” James Thackray, Chief Executive of Changemakers, said: “I was thrilled to celebrate the changemakers’ graduation with them. They have all achieved a huge amount over the last few months and have been on their own leadership journey. And their journeys don’t end here. They will now join our network of changemakers and continue to lead positive change in the world around them.”

NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. For further information, please contact Sarah Hyder at [email protected] or on 07557 748274. 2. Changemakers has been working in the North East since 2001, supporting young people across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Northumberland to unlock their leadership potential.

Apply now to join our leadership programme

We currently have opportunities for young people in London, the West Midlands and the North East on the Changemakers Experience, an inspiring and life changing leadership experience which will empower and equip you to make a positive change in yourself and in your world. We are seeking out inspired, ambitious and motivated 16-25 year olds who are committed to challenging themselves and becoming part of a movement of changemakers. The Changemakers Experience starts with a three month leadership programme which is made up of: - A two night / three day residential - Skills development days - Social action project - One-to-one coaching sessions - Graduation After this programme you become a changemaker and join the Changemakers Movement which includes opportunities to stay involved through networking, volunteering and further development. Click here for more information about the programme. Click here for an application form. Further details about this programme and about opportunities available in each of our regions can be found at: www.experiencechangemakers.org.uk The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 9th August 2013.

New internship opportunities this summer

This summer Changemakers is launching its first ever internship scheme. Opportunities range from roles to support on the design of our marketing materials, on recruiting young people onto Changemakers' programmes, and on the development of our alumni opportunities. As part of the role, all interns will receive travel expenses, real world work experience, professional skills development and an employment reference. Interns will also get the opportunity to access leadership training. The internships will run throughout June - September, with certain internships focused on particular months dependent on relevant Changemakers activity. We are flexible around the other commitments of candidates. Further details on the internships are listed below. An application form for all roles can be found here. Please refer to individual job descriptions for further information about how and when to submit your application. Engagement Intern Newcastle A job description can be found here (deadline: 12 noon Monday 17th June 2013) Engagement Intern Birmingham A job description can be found here (deadline: 12 noon Monday 17th June 2013) Engagement Intern London A job description can be found here (deadline: 12 noon Monday 17th June 2013) Movement Interns Location: one intern based in Newcastle, one intern based in either London or Birmingham A job description can be found here (deadline: 5pm Friday 28th June 2013) Design Intern Location: London A job description can be found here (deadline: 5pm Friday 28th June 2013)

Opportunity to gain skills and experience in youth work

Changemakers in partnership with The Rank Foundation is pleased to announce a full-time internship opportunity working as a Coach to young people, from September 2013 - April 2014 (with the possibility of an extension to June 2014). Changemakers runs a three month programme for young people aged 16 - 25 called The Changemakers Experience. Your job will be to help us deliver the programme and to coach young people whilst they are on their leadership journey. The position is voluntary however a weekly allowance as well as accommodation, travel and food expenses will be paid to the successful applicant. The programme is funded by The Rank Foundation under The GAP Scheme – a volunteering and community leadership programme. By being part of The GAP Scheme you will also be offered funding to study a Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work, as well as being given time to make the most of The Rank Foundation’s exciting sailing and residential opportunities. Further information about the opportunity can be found here. An application form for the role can be found here. If you’re interested please complete an application form and email it to [email protected] by 10am on Monday 17th June quoting ‘GAP Scheme’.

Apply now for an exciting role to support young people shape health services

We are recruiting for a new role to support us successfully deliver our exciting new programme ‘Change Your Mind About Young People’, aimed at giving young people in North East England the opportunity to shape their local health services. Funded through the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund from the Department of Health, this programme will support 20 GP surgeries across Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Gateshead to promote service user voice and reduce inequalities among young people through volunteering. The model works by recruiting a Volunteer Coordinator (aged 16-25) in each GP surgery who will support a team of young volunteers to research and represent the voice of young people who use or could use the GP surgery. Working alongside the GP surgery, the Volunteer Coordinator will feedback their findings, along with recommendations, to support the GP practice to become more ‘youth friendly’. We are recruiting for a ‘Facilitator’ who will lead the recruitment of GP surgeries onto the programme, and then support the involvement of the GP surgeries and the Volunteer Coordinators throughout the programme. We are looking for someone who can engage effectively with GP surgeries and will drive this exciting programme forward. The job description and further information can be found here. If you would like to apply for this role please return a covering letter telling us why you want the role and what you have to offer to the role, along with a copy of your CV by email to John Percival at [email protected]. The deadline for applications is 5pm Wednesday 12th June 2013.

Changemakers appoints new CEO

Youth leadership charity Changemakers has announced today the appointment of James Thackray as the organisation’s new Chief Executive. James comes to Changemakers from a successful career in the voluntary sector. He has provided consultancy support to a number of high profile charities including CLIC Sargent, Breast Cancer Campaign and St Paul’s Cathedral, and was previously Head of High Value Fundraising at Action for Children. James moved into the charity sector after a career in the advertising industry. Changemakers’ Chair of Trustees, Arwyn Thomas, welcomed James to the charity, which has provided leadership development opportunities to thousands of young people aged 16-25 across the UK. Arwyn Thomas said: “This appointment follows a highly competitive process and we are looking forward to working with James who brings a strong track record in fundraising and building teams. James has the confidence, enthusiasm and drive to build on Changemakers’ recent achievements and our current business strategy, and to increase the reach and impact of the organisation.” Talking about his appointment, James said: “Changemakers’ passion for developing the skills, confidence and values of young people is invaluable and its firm belief in the leadership potential of young people is compelling. I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on Changemakers’ vital work with young people and to be part of the exciting next stage of its development.” Notes to Editors: · For further information, please contact Sarah Hyder at [email protected] or on 07557 748274. · About Changemakers: Changemakers is a charity founded in 1994, whose mission is to unlock the leadership potential of young people. Its vision is a world in which young people have the skills, confidence and values to lead positive change, in a society that supports them to do so.

Your chance to shape the new Pop Up Talent programme

Changemakers, the Foyer Federation and Good People have been successful in our bid to the Big Lottery Fund to roll out the exciting new 'Pop Up Talent' programme. Pop Up Talent is a modern twist on how and where young people connect with employers. Using new spaces and conversations, young people are building the skills, attitudes and networks to find and create work in the 21st Century. Following a pilot of the programme, which featured in tonight's episode of Channel 4's The Secret Millions, the Big Lottery Fund is funding the roll out of the programme in London, Birmingham and South Wales. As part of the Pop Up Talent programme, Changemakers is recruiting 15 young people from London, Birmingham and South Wales to join a Youth Leadership Team to influence and shape the programme. If you are passionate about making a difference to youth unemployment and want to use your skills and ideas to create a new, innovative approach then we want to hear from you. To find out more and apply to be part of the Youth Leadership Team please download the application pack here.

Young people and celebrity Dave Fishwick redesign the job centre in Channel 4 series

A radical new alternative to the job centre will be put to the test on TV this Sunday (7 April, 8pm, Channel 4), as young people from the Foyer Federation’s network set up a ‘Pop Up Talent Shop’ – designed to encourage young people into the work place and to introduce employers to people they would not ordinarily consider hiring. But unknown to the young people involved, the project is also in the running for up to £2 million of Lottery funding if it succeeds. The project, supported by entrepreneur Dave Fishwick, features in the Channel 4 series The Secret Millions where the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has joined forces with Channel 4 to highlight radical ideas tackling some of Britain’s big social issues. The five-part documentary series follows five famous Channel 4 faces as they work with charities to develop new projects, meanwhile secretly trying to help secure up to £2 million of money from the Big Lottery Fund to turn their big idea into reality. Behind the scenes the Foyer Federation has teamed up with Changemakers and social enterprise GoodPeople to develop the idea and submit a joint bid which, if successful, will secure significant funding to launch the Pop Up Talent programme in south Wales, Birmingham and London in 2013. This week’s episode reveals whether or not the bid has been successful. Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund was part of the secret assessment filming. He said: “It was great to see a project in action, ahead of deciding whether or not it was worthy of further investment. Tackling youth unemployment is important and complex and a lot had to come together at pace if the Foyer Federation were to make a success of their proposal. People will have to tune in to find out how things worked out for the young people of Harlow." Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of the Foyer Federation, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this ground breaking new partnership between the Big Lottery Fund and Channel 4. The series has given us the opportunity to demonstrate how bold thinking and a radical new approach can create a different conversation between young people and employers, which develops and promotes their talents for the world of work.” Notes to Editors For further information, contact: The Foyer Federation: Joel Attar on 0203 116 6931 / [email protected] or Andrew Noquet on 07967 150221 / [email protected] Channel 4 for The Secret Millions: Cecile Quinney on 020 7306 1095 / [email protected] Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 / Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572 For further information about the series: http://www.channel4.com/info/press/programme-information/the-secret-millions

Awards nomination for Wonders of the North Festival

We're delighted that our Wonders of the North Festival has been shortlisted for a North East Youth Work Award. The project has been nominated in the Youth Arts / Culture category. The Wonders of the North Festival took place last summer and aimed to inspire young people across North East England to feel engaged and excited about London 2012. Top cultural organisations from the North East were brought on board to participate in the festival. Each of the organisations supported a group of young people to lead a project which explored and celebrated their ‘wonder of the north’ during the opening week of London 2012, connecting young people in the North East to the nationwide celebration. The results were impressive and ten exciting Wonders of the North events were created for the Festival throughout Newcastle and Northumberland, ranging from a dance performance celebrating the North Star at Alnwick Playhouse, to a flash mob performance at the Grainger Market created by New Writing North and Northern Stage. The 2013 North East Youth Work Awards are being organised by the Regional Youth Work Unit - North East and the ceremony takes place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland in just a few weeks. Further information about the awards can be found at http://www.rywu.org.uk/2013-north-east-youth-work-awards-shortlist-announced.

Apply now for The Changemakers Experience

We currently have opportunities for young people in North East England on The Changemakers Experience, an inspiring and life changing leadership experience which will empower and equip you to make a positive change in yourself and in your world. We are seeking out inspired, ambitious and motivated 16-25 year olds who are committed to challenging themselves and becoming part of a movement of leaders and changemakers. The Changemakers Experience starts with a three month leadership programme which is made up of: - A two night / three day residential - Skills development days - Social action project - 121 coaching sessions - Graduation After this programme you become a changemaker and join the Changemakers Movement which includes opportunities to stay involved through networking, volunteering and further development. For more information about the programme and how to apply, please visit: www.experiencechangemakers.org.uk The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 15th March 2013.

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