BYC: Rallying together to inspire young volunteers

BYC logo 100x60

Thursday, 17, Jan 2008 12:00

Yesterday (16th January) the Diana Award and the British Youth Council (BYC) partnered up to hold a Volunteering and Networking Day in London to bring together young people who give up their own time to make a real difference to other people’s lives.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for these young people to discover new opportunities to volunteer, network with well-known youth and community groups, and also, importantly, have a chat with each other.

The event brought together Diana Award Holders, teenagers recognised for inspiring the lives of others, and BYC Campaigners, young people who volunteer to raise awareness of political issues that really matter to young people.

Charities such as St John Ambulance, Barnardo’s, READ International, Millennium Volunteers and volunteering charity v promoted a number of exciting volunteering opportunities across the UK.

Amazing short, medium and long term volunteering projects all across the world were also advertised by Global Vision International.

For more information on volunteering opportunities with the BYC visit http://www.byc.org and to nominate a young person for a Diana Award visit www.diana-award.org.uk

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Helen Deakin

British Youth Council

0207 022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk

www.byc.org.uk

Emma Pelling

Diana Award

020 7624 7533 / 07958 558172

epelling@aol.com

www.diana-award.org.uk

BYC is the national youth council and voice for young people under 26 living in the UK. It represents and involves a unique coalition of young people through their involvement as individuals or through national, regional or local youth organisations. BYC’s coalition includes over 170 national youth organisations such as Girlguiding UK and the NUS and a network of 400 local youth councils and organisations. BYC Campaigners play a key role in BYC’s activities by raising awareness of campaigns, planning and running campaigners and helping out at events

The Diana Award was founded as a prestigious and lasting celebration of the late Princess and her work. The Diana Award is presented to young people who inspire the lives of others. Aged between 12 and 18, holders of our main Award include fundraisers, campaigners, carers, team-builders, mentors, school councillors and others. So far, there are more than 22,000 young Award Holders. A partnership with the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) has also enabled the Diana team to create a special ‘Anti-Bullying Diana Award’ which is open to pupils at both primary and secondary schools.

Please find photos of the panel debate and the event, a snapshot of the audience of young volunteers and a photo of young people visiting the BYC stand attached to this email for use.