Tracey Herald explains how a network of young adults are working to change society for the better through campaigning and community action.

Team v is a new network powered by young people who are socially aware and want to change things for the better. This exciting new programme is run by vinspired and gives 18 – 25 year old volunteers the chance to change the world, one campaign at a time.

In 2011-12, forty young leaders have been selected from locations across England to run three national campaigns. Their first campaign focused food poverty, and together, leaders involved over 300 volunteers, collected over 20,000 food items and helped over 7000 people affected by food poverty.

Their current campaign, which runs from January – March 2012, is much closer to home, and involves combating loneliness and isolation experienced by older people. Inspired by research from the Campaign to End Loneliness which showed that 1 in 10 older people experience intense loneliness and isolation, and with the support of the Beth Johnson Foundation Centre for Intergenerational Practice, young leaders will;

  • Engage older people in their communities and work together to identify ways to combat loneliness and isolation
  • Organise a social event with older people, based on their needs and interests
  • Run awareness-raising activities in local areas, to highlight the impacts of loneliness and isolation, and ask communities to help

Team v leaders are an enthusiastic and committed bunch of young volunteers, using creative, fresh and imaginative approaches to promote positive social change in their communities.  All Team v leaders receive a comprehensive package of training to ensure they are equipped with the skills and know-how to run community projects with impact.

As well as a great training package, Team v leaders will also have the chance to apply for a scholarship worth up to £1000 on completion of the programme, to help plan their future.

Team v is managed by vInspired, a charity which helps young people to discover the value of volunteering – for themselves and for others. It uses the power of online to inspire offline actions – offering easy-to-access opportunities and support for young people to get involved with good causes in their communities.  Since its launch in May 2006, vInspired has worked with over 500 charities and community organisations and 200 businesses to create over 1 million youth volunteering opportunities.

vInspired is proud to be working with our partners – CAF, the Rank Foundation and NIACE to deliver the Team v programme.