V: Young People to decide on their role in Big Society

Tuesday, 1 February 2011 12:00 AM

London - 1 February 2011: A new national campaign - Big Society's Big Mouth - which asks young people what role they want to play in society was launched today by v, The National Young Volunteers' Service. The initiative, which will be conducted online and via local community action events, will culminate with young people taking their proposals for change to government in April 2011.

This campaign is a response to new research (1,000+, 16-24 year olds) which found that:

. Over two thirds (67%) of young people don't know what the Big Society means for them, only 25% have heard of it
. Almost half (46%) of young people don't trust the government to make the right cuts
. When asked what they thought the best thing the coalition had done, the majority couldn't think of anything
. More than a third of young people (36%) feel that the coalition cares less about them than the previous government

Phase one of Big Society's Big Mouth invites young people to join the discussion at a new online platform - BigSocietysBigMouth.org - which will reach out to young people across the country. Young people from all backgrounds will be invited to discuss the problems they face in their local communities, share ideas on how to address them and also collaborate to organise social action projects.

The Big Society's Big Mouth campaign will develop young leaders and inspire real action as well as conversation. Through social action projects on the ground, young people will engage with community issues and connect with local MPs. The final stage of the campaign will see young people taking their recommendations to government decision-makers. Big Society's Big Mouth will give young people the chance to finally have their say on the key issues affecting their lives today.

v's Chief Executive, Terry Ryall commented, "The Big Society is a concept that is moving rapidly from rhetoric to reality. Here at v, we believe it is vital that young people are given the opportunity to help define and refine what the Big Society means to them. Many young people are already taking real action in their communities. However policy makers currently run the risk of ignoring the views of a group without which building the Big Society will be impossible."

Ryall continued, "Our mission with the Big Society's Big Mouth campaign is to start a debate that will not only engage with thousands of young people, but that will also identify tangible solutions to the barriers that may be preventing them taking a more active role in their communities. We will then work with young people to take their proposals to government and ensure they influence the development of Big Society policy at both a national and local level."

Local activations will be taking place on the ground, with v volunteers taking the message directly to young people - reaching out to people from a variety of backgrounds. During February and March, v will be working with young activists in five Big Society pilot projects across the country. Social action projects will take place in communities across England helping young people to turn their ideas for change into action:

. Hastings: 18 and 19 February
. Nottingham: 4 and 5 March
. Middlesbrough: 11 and 12 March
. Knowsley: 1 and 2 April
. Hackney: 15 and 16 April

To find out more information about the campaign and to join the Big Society's Big Mouth debate, please visit www.bigsocietysbigmouth.org

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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.

Dubit Limited was commissioned to carry out a survey to better understand young people's perceptions of the coalition government's activities, particularly in relation to the government's vision for a Big Society.

The research was conducted through an online survey of 1,000 young people which included a mix of closed and open-ended questions and surveyed 14-25 year olds living in England, representative of a range of demographics.

For more information please contact:
Amy Tweddle - amy.tweddle@diffusionpr.com on 020 7025 6830
Emma Koubayssi - emma.koubayssi@diffusionpr.com on 020 7025 1505

Amy Tweddle
Senior Campaign Executive

Diffusion PR
Victory House
99-101 Regent Street
London
W1B 4EZ

t: +44 (0) 207 025 6830
m: +44 (0) 7970 064543
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w: www.diffusionpr.com

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