the stories of some of the young people making a difference
My story: Charles
A Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteer, Charles has given over 600 hours of his time to coach football to other young people in his community. When he first became involved with StreetGames, at 14, Charles was living in a hostel, as he was new to the UK and had no immediate family in the country. Now aged 19, Charles has gained qualifications in coaching, football organisation and sports leadership, and is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at college. He coaches football four evenings a week.
“I love football, so to be able to help other people while doing what I love is fantastic. It’s great to be able to see the impact you have on other people’s lives. The young people that come to the project really get a lot out of it and you just know you are helping them to channel their energy positively. It benefits them, it benefits the community and it benefits me, as I have developed a whole range of skills and qualifications.
I really enjoy working with people through StreetGames. As well as coaching football, I’ve supported more than thirty street football festivals and have been told that others look to me as an example of what they can achieve.”
Find out more about The Co-operative StreetGames Volunteers
My Story: Maryam
Maryam is a Truth about Youth Ambassador. She’s setting up a project called Holy Equilibrium, that will give young people in Birmingham the chance to get out of the city and into the countryside, to learn about nature and take part in a range of activities.
“I want to help challenge and change negative perceptions of young people, by proving that we’re concerned about the environment and committed to sustainability. I’m working with different organisations, such as The Ramblers’ Association, to get my project up and running. Previously I worked on a campaign to improve recycling facilities in my college, which also involved raising students' awareness about the importance of recycling.”
Find out more about Truth about Youth.
My story: John
John has suffered from mental health problems since his teens, and was on the brink of dropping out of college when he first became involved with The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy. “My tutor persuaded me to stay, telling me there was an exciting film opportunity happening over the summer.” That opportunity turned out to be Upstaged - the BYFA’s first feature film.
“My experience on the set of Upstaged fired my passion for acting, and I began a theatre degree. However, personal problems forced me to leave and, before long, I ended up homeless and battling drug addiction. At one point I was buying day tickets for the buses just so I could sleep.
“Enough was enough. I got in contact with the BYFA, and asked if there was any work I could do. Luckily I was given an entry role as an assistant. From there I went from strength to strength, slowly being given more and more responsibility as I proved myself and developed both my technical ability and my life skills. I’m now Head of Acting and back at university, studying acting at The Central School of Speech and Drama.
“The Co-operative’s increasing support for BYFA has played an important part in transforming the company, so that more people can be helped to achieve their ambitions. It’s truly soul-enriching for me to be able to help people the way I’ve been helped.”
Find out more about The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy.
My story: Sharon
Sharon would be the first to say that her attitude and lack of focus often got her into trouble at school. As a Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteer, Sharon’s found a new direction and several nights each week coaches children in sports, such as basketball, gymnastics and netball. She also acts as a mentor for young people in her community.
“The biggest change in me has been my communication skills. My mouth landed me in a lot of trouble and I found it hard to control what I said. But I noticed that some of the younger kids I worked with were starting to copy me. That wasn’t right. I learned through volunteering to control myself and what I say and am now able to help others do the same. It doesn’t sound like a big thing, but it is to me, and I think it will make a big difference to my future.
“I run a young advisors session on a Monday night and a lot of the girls will come and talk to me if they have personal problems. I see girls who are like I was, not caring about anything. I’ve told them ‘I was like you’ and explained how I’ve changed. Some of these girls are now doing GCSEs and changing their lives. It’s partly down to me, which feels great.”
Find out more about The Co-operative StreetGames Volunteers.
My story: Matthew
Matthew has been an active campaigner and fundraiser for several years. Alongside four other students, he raised over £20,000 to provide free primary education for children in Rwanda. In the last election, he campaigned alongside his local Labour MP, but, at 17, he wasn’t old enough to vote. Passionate about politics, Matthew is now working to raise awareness about the call for Votes at 16.
“Compulsory education on voting and playing a role in democracy ends at 16; surely then that is the right time to pass young people the great right and responsibility that is a vote? At 16, young people can get married, or even join our armed forces; why then can they not vote? ‘Young people are apathetic,’ is often the cry of those who oppose our enfranchisement; not true at all! In a recent ‘question time’ I organised in Barrow Sixth Form College, over 200 students came to see our prospective MPs battle it out.
“Sixteen year olds want the vote; they’re ready to vote and if they are given the chance, they are much more likely to keep using it!
Find out more about Votes at 16.
My story: Sukbir
Sukbir works for Leeds City Council. Along with supporting Votes at 16, Sukbir is campaigning for young people from disadvantaged areas to have greater access to creative activities, after making several short films herself about stereotypes and racism.
“The arts can help young people to find a creative outlet to express themselves and find a voice. Creative activities can bring communities together and help to tackle problems such as racism and anti-social behaviour. There are lots of negative stereotypes about young people in the media, but most antisocial behaviour is a direct result of the simple fact that young people have nothing to do. My goal is to secure more arts funding for creative projects for young people.”
Find out more about Votes at 16.
My story: Ashley
Ashley attended the first Co-operative Trust School, an experience which has had a huge impact on his life. “When The Co-operative Group asked me to feature in its Inspiring young people campaign, I felt really honoured, because if anything, co-operation has inspired me.
I first came into contact with co-operation at Reddish Vale Co-operative Trust School. The way that the school connected with the community through democracy was really eye-opening. Staff, students and parents were all suddenly involved, and people that wouldn’t otherwise have had a say in the school were suddenly able to make their voices heard and get involved with the decision making.
“Since then, co-operation has been a huge part of my life. I represented The Co-operative at a Westminster forum on Votes at 16 and the ethical approach of the business is something I’ve been keen to get involved with. Both Plan Bee and The Wave are campaigns that people my age have been keen to support, because they can see how taking action can have a real impact on some of the biggest problems facing the world today. Now I’m involved with a number of co-operatives, as well as being the youth representative for The Co-operative Party in my district. I’m off to university in the autumn to begin my politics degree, and I want to spread the word about co-operation so that it can change people’s lives like it changed mine.”
Find out more about how we're working with schools across the UK.