Gabriella Cilmi launches the vinspired National Awards nominations

Tuesday, 31 August 2010 12:00 AM

Do you know a young person or a youth worker who embodies the spirit of volunteering and deserves recognition? Someone who has helped their local community, overcome personal adversity or made a big difference to the lives of other people? If so, why not nominate them for a vinspired National Award?
Chart topping singer Gabriella Cilmi and v, The National Young Volunteers' Service are pleased to announce that they have just opened nominations for the second vinspired National Awards ceremony. Scheduled to take place in March 2011 at a secret London location, they are on the hunt to find the most exceptional young volunteers across the land.
Gabriella hosted a music masterclass at Body & Soul London on 25th August to launch the call for nominations with volunteers from the charity and winners from the 2009 vinspired National Awards. Gabriella said, "I am so proud to be part of the vinspired National Awards, the work that these young people do for other people is inspirational."
Anyone can nominate (although you can't nominate yourself) and anyone aged 16 - 25 and living in England can be nominated. Young people don't have to be engaged in a v project - they can be involved in any kind of volunteering activity with any organisation but must have made a difference between August 2009 and July 2010. There is also an award for the best youth worker - so third sector workers in the industry also have an opportunity to get involved. Nominations close on 30th September 2010.
Terry Ryall, v CEO says: "The vinspired National Awards are a wonderful way of formally acknowledging all the good work of young volunteers across the country, challenging the negative image of young people and championing the positive contributions they make in today's big society. "
The categories:
Based on input from young people the award categories have now been updated and include:
. The Fresh Award for best new volunteer
. The Spirit Award for the all round commitment to volunteering; embodying the spirit of volunteering
. The Connect Award to recognise innovative and effective efforts to bring communities together
. The Legend Award for outstanding leadership
. The Shout Award for campaigning
. The Triumph Award for overcoming personal adversity or enabling a community to rise above a challenging circumstance
. The Unite Award for team activity
. The Energy Award for outstanding contribution to youth volunteering (for youth workers)
The inaugural vinspired National Awards launched last November with a star studded ceremony at the IndigoO2 with performances from Tynchy Stryder, Gabriella Cilmi, Lady Sovereign & Bashy and was hosted by presenters James Redmond & Jameela Jamil.
Other famous faces to endorse the event included: HRH Prince William The Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister and Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Deputy Prime Minister and entrepreneur and businessman James Caan.
HRH Prince William said:
"The winners of the vinspired National Awards highlight the diverse range of volunteering opportunities that are available to young people. The awards showcase what can be achieved when young people apply their remarkable energies and determination. They also demonstrate the enormously positive contribution 16 to 25 year-olds can make to our society through volunteering."
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Deputy Prime Minister said:
"The vinspired National Awards are an opportunity to do something that we do not do often enough - recognise the amazing things that young people do. Young people across the country are giving their time to tackle some of the toughest social and environmental issues facing us today."
For more information about the nomination process and the different ways you can get involved with the National Awards please visit: http://vinspired.com/rewards/nationalawards
For further information about v, the vinspired National Awards or for interview opportunities with Gabriella Cilmi then please contact:
Fred Chesher, fred.chesher@shinecom.com, 020 7100 7100
Jenny Mitchell, jenny.mitchell@shinecom.com, 020 7100 7100
Notes to Editors:
About v
v, The National Young Volunteers Service aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. It does this by funding voluntary organisations all over England to create inspiring, diverse opportunities and by helping to overcome barriers that stop people from taking action to improve lives, communities and the planet. v's aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated.
v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement.
See www.vinspired.com for more information (including full copies of our research)
About Body & Soul
Body & Soul is the leading UK charity to support children, young people & families living with or closely affected by HIV, to help them come to terms with the devastation of an HIV diagnosis
To provide a safe, confidential and supportive environment for children, teenagers and their families living with, or closely affected by HIV.
To utilise a holistic approach in supporting the well-being of each individual.
To enable and facilitate peer support and promote user involvement.
To facilitate skills and provide information to enable informed life choices.
To enable children and teenagers to access the organisation as primary service users independently of an adult.
To provide a cost-effective service, unique from other agencies in the HIV sector.
To advance education and awareness in all matters related to HIV.

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