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09 December 2008

Seasons Greetings From v!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

v has had a fantastic year in 2008 and it’s largely due to all of the support we have received from you, our supporters and friends. To say thank you, we’ve created the vinspired Christmas ecard with a unique video message from our very own CEO Terry Ryall Open it here and please have some fun with it!

As you know, back in September v launched its Favours campaign, designed to show how simple and enjoyable it can be to make a difference to someone’s life. Through Fashion Favours, volunteers have been creating fabulous new designs from recycled clothing. We were even able to persuade the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and wife, Sarah Brown, to donate items from their own wardrobes for the cause! The response from the public has been overwhelming and the campaign culminates tonight with a fashion show of winning designs, to be hosted by TV’s Miquita Oliver.

Our latest campaign, Festive Favours, which kicks off today, is a new initiative to get people thinking about how they can make the season more meaningful for themselves and others. We’re asking everyone to get involved!

One of the more unusual (and energetic) events is called Pedal Power: It involves the lighting up of giant Christmas trees! The 30ft trees will be placed in Hardman Square, Manchester (9th-14th Dec) and at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland festival, London (16th-19th Dec), and adorned with 2000 Christmas fairy lights. The lights are connected to 10 exercise bikes placed around the tree – and they’ll only sparkle if at least five bikes are being pedalled at any one time. The more people we have pedalling, the brighter the lights will shine! It is a fun event, all about pulling together and spreading some Christmas cheer, that we hope will underline the spirit of our Favours campaign by demonstrating how easy it is to make a difference to someone’s day without spending any money or taking hours out of your own day.

On December 1st we launched the v virtual advent calendar. Featuring 24 different ‘random acts of kindness’ that we hope will inspire everyone during the lead up to Christmas. It’s a great way to help people realise just how simple doing a favour is are and what a huge difference it can make to others. The calendar is available from http://www.vinspired.com/ home page and can be downloaded as a Facebook widget. It’s important that we get as many people as possible behind this initiative so please do remember to download it for yourself and send on to everyone you know. You’ll be surprised at how many simple ways there are to make the season more special for us all.

We also have a huge hamper giveaway in London on 22nd December, which will be an amazing occasion. Keep an eye on vinspired for details...

Without the fantastic help and support from you, these campaigns would not have been possible, so we would like to take this opportunity to say a wholehearted “thank you” to you all and wish you the very merriest and happiest Christmas.

Don’t forget to check out all of the Festive Favours activity throughout December and for information on how you can get involved simply go to


Thanks again.

The team at v.

27 November 2008

Fancy doing a Fashion Favour…?

v has launched a virtual wardrobe, which is THE place for clothes to be seen this season, but to help make it a success, we need your help to get young people involved in this ethical and innovative project.

All participants need to do is: download a ‘customise your clothes’ pack from here. They can then use the hints and tips provided to help them customise an item of clothing. Finally, all they need to do is upload their item of clothing onto vinspired.com!

They can either show off their handiwork, or, we are offering the opportunity for each item to be auctioned online, with all proceeds going to a youth HIV charity Body & Soul. On top of this, the creation could also appear in v’s exclusive fashion show on 01 December 2008!

If you want to get people involved, why not organise a ‘customising clothes evening’ to help create clothes for the collection? It’s a great way to engage a group of young people in a fun activity whilst highlighting the implications of a ‘throw away’ society.

In addition to this, if you know of young people who are really keen on fashion, vcashpoint is back for a fifth round so why not encourage them to apply for up to £2,500 to run their own fashion project!

vcashpoint is the funding initiative for 16-25’s who want to set-up a voluntary project in their community. By providing grants of up to £2,500, vcashpoint can help turn ideas into reality.

Applications open on 24 November. More info on round 5 of vcashpoint will be coming soon…

Help us to make v’s initiatives a success – SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.vinspired.com/

30 September 2008

Change the World - Leaving from PLATFORM2

Platform 2 is a free government run initiative and is an overseas voluntary opportunity for 18-25 year olds. It aims to take 2,500 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to developing countries all across the world. These are 10 week trips to places such as South Africa and Nigeria and are all about helping the locals in their community. The trips centre round different projects for example construction,teaching catering and more. Platform 2 will help young people identify the project that is best suited for the individual.

The opportunity is especially aimed at those young people who may not otherwise be able to afford this kind of opportunity, so eligibility is on an individual basis and takes in to account benefits they may be receiving/have received, income etc. They will also have to undertake a CRB check to ensure they are safe to work on these projects.

What is paid for?
  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Immunisation
  • Food
  • Weekly living allowance

What is not paid for?

  • Travel to interview (this will be local where possible)
  • Travel to Heathrow airport (most trips will be flying from Heathrow)
  • Personal/Social Travelling whilst away
  • Passport

Application Process:

  • Application form – includes information about themselves, why they want to take part in the trip, how it will benefit them etc
  • Two references needed
  • Local interview – very informal chat, getting to know more about the projects and them discussing application/motivations for applying etc. This is usually around 4 or 5 questions and lasts around 1 hour
  • If successful, there will then be a pre-departure briefing to get cultural information, health and safety, a chance to meet others etc
  • Upon arrival back in the UK there is a 3 day residential for people to share their thoughts and experiences about their project.

For more information or to download an application form, please visit: http://www.myplatform2.com/

26 September 2008

"Volunteer Experience" Cast One: Neil's Experience

Part one of our "Volunteer Experience" podcast's focusses on Neil. We are regualrly going to be bringing new "Volunteer Experiences" to you over the coming weeks and months so make sure you check back.

Now...over to you Neil.

24 September 2008

Do Yourself A Favour!

Thursday September 25. The day the worlds of fashion and volunteering unite. And you’re invited to be there……

The face of volunteering is being transformed. And it’s all down to Favours. Top fashion designer, Ben De Lisi and youth volunteering website, vinspired.com, are launching a challenge to young people to make a unique fashion collection purely from recycled clothing.

A press conference will be held at 9am along with Ben, vinspired and T4 presenter Miquita Oliver to unveil details of Favours and the collection.

Photocall – 8.30am
Press Conference – 9am
Location: Debenhams press showroom,
33 Wigmore St, W1U 1QX

Interview opportunities will be available with:
  • Ben De Lisi
  • vinspired.com CEO, Terry Ryall
  • Volunteers

    So do yourself a favour and come along!

    RSVP to laurab@cakegroup.com
    or 0207 307 3145 / 07791 717 735

    From
    Ben De Lisi & vinspired.com

20 August 2008

ASC to Join In!

Next week will see After School Club training day for all those volunteers wishing to support young people attending our After School Club on Monday evenings (Term Time).

The training will take place on Friday 29th August and is open to all volunteers. A First Aid training day will also be taking place on Wednesday 27th to all volunteers but with priority going to those looking to support the After School Club.

Anyone interested in taking part needs to contact Kev or Chantelle ASAP to confirm yor attendance. Places are limited so get in touch soon.

Kev

vat@bullyfreezone.co.uk

07 August 2008

Sponsored Walk 2008

The time is upon us again. Time to dig out those walking boots and glucose tablets. Time to get the foot spa heated up ready for swollen ankles. Time for the annual BFZ Sponsored Walk.

Tuesday 19th August is the day of choice this year and volunteers, cildren and young people are invited to get sponsored and get walking all in the name of Bully Free Zone.

We leave th BFZ office at 10am on the day and hope t be back by 4pm at the latest. For more information on how you can take part please call us on 01204 454958 or send an email to the new volunteering address....vat@bullyfreezone.co.uk

06 August 2008

Random Feelgood YouTube Video of the Week: episode two

Okay Dokey. Time for part two in series of....well...thousands maybe. This weeks Feelgood YouTube Video of the Week is broght to you by none other than Nicola, the BFZ Boss.

Enjoy but bear in mind, wasting chocolate is frowned upon by BFZ and punishments will be severe if caught.

31 July 2008

Rory and Kev's Big Day Out

Last Friday young Rory van de Berg and myself decided to take a nice trip down to Birmingham to learn all about podcasting as part of our successful iGrant application. It was a great day and Jude and Mark from sounddelivery were excellent.

We hopefully plan to carry out some training later this month for anyone interested but in the meantime here's what we came up with on the day. Enjoy, and check back soon to find out more about how YOU can get involved.


play

08 July 2008

Random Feelgood YouTube Video of the Week: episode one

Ive been thinking the site has been a little wordy of late wth an awful lot of text and, well...nothing else apart from the 'inspirational' video from v below. So I have been thinking what better way to help get your creative juices flowing (and keep you logged onto the site) than to provide you with what must be som of the best free entertainment on the web. YouTube video's.

So here you are. Each week i'll be providing with another feelgood, inspirational video for your enjoyment and im open to more suggestions. If you come across any great videos you think should appear the why not send me a link to mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk.

Enjoy.



p.s. YES i did post this at 3am, i do all my best work at 3am. Just please don't phone the office until after dinner when i may be coherent :)

07 July 2008

Get Snapping - Win a Wii!

The Youth Action Network's Young WhipperSNAPPER 2008 is now open for entries and they've got some great prizes up for grabs!

To tie in with the YAN's DO YA!? campaign, volunteers under the age of 25 are being asked to send in photographs that would either:
  • encourage other young people to DO YOUTH ACTION;
  • showcase youth action projects already taking place
Not only is this a great oppotunaty for young people to promote volunteering and show of their artistic skills but they can also be in with a chance of winning a fantastic prize! just look at what is on offer......
  • 1st prize a Nintendo Wii plus a canvas print of the winning image
  • 2nd prize is a Nintendo DS and two games, plus a canvas print of the winning image
  • 3rd prize is a Nintendo DS plus a canvas of the winning image
  • runners up will get-a ipod shuffle
And whats more, the first 25 entrants are guaranteed to win a £25 hmv voucher!

the closing date for entries is FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2008.

VISIT: www.youthactionnetwork.org.uk/whippersnapper

20 June 2008

vCashpoint: Its all about the Money!

Hi,

We wanted to tell you a bit about vcashpoint:

The stats:

vcashpoint offers grants of up to £2500 to 16-25 year olds to set up a volunteering project in their communityTo date there have been 3 rounds of vcashpoint 226 grants have been awarded.

Grant winners don’t have to be old school crowd-pleasers either. Previous projects have included street parties to raise awareness of environmental issues and running a summer school which included teaching samba dancing!

To communicate this more clearly we’ve created the following short clip:



In the next round we want to double the number of grants we give out, and give more young people the chance to develop valuable transferable skills that will serve both them and their communities.

vcashpoint closes on 18th July 2008 and we want to make sure as many 16-25 year olds as possible are aware of this great opportunity.

For more information about vcashpoint, please click here: www.vinspired.com/vcashpoint

Many thanks for your continued support- it’s appreciated

Becky Eakins Marketing Manager
(v)


09 June 2008

Volunteer? get a degree in it!

THE CENTRE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND COMMUNITY ACTION

SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME 2008 ENTRY

BA (Hons) Active Citizenship and Volunteer Development

The University of Central Lancashire Centre for Volunteering and Community Action is offering a guaranteed place on the above programme 2008 entry to a limited number of students who demonstrate outstanding contribution to the community through volunteering and community action. This Scholarship is available to students aged 18+ who are registered with the National Youth Volunteering Programme and will attain 200 hours by Sept 2008.

To apply for this scholarship, make a formal application through the UCAS for the above degree by end of July 2008, and then contact Wajid Khan on wkhan@uclan.ac.uk, tel: (+44)1772 893116, with your details so that we can make you an offer immediately.

For further details and a fact sheet, please contact course enquiries on (+44)1772 201201.

20 May 2008

Have a day off, create a new holiday.

Britain hasn't had a new Bank Holiday for 30 years and now thousands of people are being asked to make a new one happen.

www.communityday.org.uk is attempting to rectify the situation by getting a new Bank Holiday in October so we can all celebrate volunteering and make a difference in the community (and not, for example, sit in Traffic Jams on the M6 as we all try to visit Blackpool).

To do your bit to make it happen (and so i can get an extra lie-in) just sign-up to www.communityday.org.uk

12 May 2008

BFZ: Charity of the Year 2008

Bully Free Zone last night attended the Halo sponsored Feather Ball at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester to find that we had won the Express Yourself Charity of the Year Award 2008.

The awards are designed to recognise the excellent work that individuals and charties do throughout the UK and Bully Free Zone managed to beat off stiff competition from the other finalist, 'Talk, don't Walk' to be crowned this years Charity of the Year.

The event was fantastic with some wonderful grub and great music. Kev got to 'bust a few moves' to the Mowtown All-Stars and The Dreamgirls, whilst Nicola and Fiona tried to prevent Chantelle from making any further 'faux-pas' (they didn't really succeed).

BFZ would like to extend their thanks to everyone at Halo and Express Yourself for inviting us to the event and making us feel so welcome.

11 April 2008

Vinvolved with Bully Free Zone Volunteer Action Team

April 2008 sees the launch of the Bully Free Zone Volunteer Action Team, Bolton’s only VInvolved Project.

The project is funded by V, the new national youth volunteering programme, and aims to provide opportunities for young people aged 16-25 to take an active role in supporting others affected by bullying and to help raise awareness of anti-bullying initiatives.

Fiona Bond (21), a volunteer with the charity, said:

As a volunteer, I have been involved in many activities with Bully Free Zone's Millennium Volunteers project. Through this I have experienced amazing opportunities that have changed my life and if it wasn't for the work I have done with Bully Free Zone, I would not have chosen a future career in the voluntary sector. I would definitely recommend volunteering with Bully Free Zone, whether you are passionate about anti-bullying, or simply want a great volunteering opportunity.

Volunteers will be able to take advantage of a variety of opportunities such as supporting young people attending the BFZ After School Club, writing articles for the Bully Free Zone website or planning and taking part in social events and campaigns.

Kev Walsh, Project Co-ordinator, said:

Bully Free Zone has helped thousands of children and young people overcome bullying since its launch in 1996. For the young people of Bolton to be given a chance to help thousands, more into the future is a fantastic opportunity and I certainly urge them to get involved in this valuable project

The project is currently looking for volunteers who are particular interested in supporting young people at the After School Club which runs on Monday evenings 4pm – 6pm. Anyone interested in helping can contact Kev Walsh on 01204 454958 or email mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk

Notes

1. Bully Free Zone is one of the leading anti-bullying charities in Britain and is a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Since launching in 1996 it has helped thousands of children, young people and families to overcome bullying.

2. Since 1999 BFZ has delivered a successful Millennium Volunteers project across Bolton and Manchester. The funding for this project came to an end on 31st March 2008.

3. V, the national youth volunteering programme, was launched in 2006 to create a million new volunteers by 2011.

4. For more information on Bully Free Zone please contact Nicola Schofield on 01204 454958.

31 March 2008

BFZ the Soap Opera: Episode One

The One Where No-One Knows What Kev is Talking About

Kev: OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!

Chantelle: What? whats wrong?

Kev: They've cancelled Jericho. I cant believe they could do something like that.

Chantelle: Cancelled what?

Kev: Jericho. CBS in America have cancelled Jericho.

Chantelle: errrrr.....oh.....and...errr thats bad is it?

Kev: ....of course its ....

(Nicola enters)

Nicola: Whats going on? I head shouting.

Kev: Oh Nicola, they've cancelled Jericho.

Nicola: Cancelled what?

Kev:....

(Kev leaps from the window. Nicola looks at Chantelle)

Nicola: What's Jericho?

Chantelle: More importantly, what's for lunch?

Jericho, the popular TV Series (with Kev at least) is available to watch now on ITV3 and season one available at all good DVD stores. It must be good...he says its better than 24.

18 March 2008

The End is Nigh...Until Tomorrow.

That's right folks....today is the last day of the BFZ MV Project EVER!

From 1st April 2008 BFZ MV will be no more and will instead be replaced with the V-funded BFZ Volunteer Action Team. This mean that Bully Free Zone will no longer be expecting people to collecting thousands of hours and will instead be concentrating on delivering good quality volunteering opportunities all centered around anti-bullying and support the work of Bully Free Zone.


You can of course continue to volunteer with Bully Free Zone however we will need you to (yet again) sign up as a new volunteer. Downloadable forms will be available from the blog and BFZ Website soon.

For more information on the new project o to sign up please contact Kev or Pete on 01204 454958 or email
mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk. Remember you have to be 16-25 to get involved.

11 March 2008

Blue or green?

Chantelle and Nicola are having a heated debate over what the color of the new First Aid Kit should be. Nicola wanted the groovy translucent blue one (and i agree) yet Chantelle and Pete are showing their age (21?-Chantelle) and demand a traditional green one.

what do you think, green or blue?

Kev

05 March 2008

DO YA!?

Taken from the Youth Action Network e-bulletin March 2008

This year, Youth Action Network is running a DO YA!? campaign to tie in with national Volunteers’ Week which takes place every year between 1-7 June.

As the name suggests, the campaign will be a call to action for young people to do Youth Action! It has two aims:

To promote Youth Action locally, regionally and nationally – highlighting its benefits and how young people can get involved
To encourage more young people to volunteer.

There are lots of opportunities for both young people and organisations to get involved so keep checking http://www.youth-action.org.uk/ to find out more.

26 February 2008

WWWhat should we register?

We are currently in the process of registering a new domain name for the VAT blog but have no idea of what to register. Obviously bullyfreezone.co.uk and VAT.co.uk have all been taken

What we need is any ideas for what the new blog domain name should be. The more creative, original, inspired and catchy the better.

Any ideas can be emailed to us over at BFZ HQ as soon as possible so just send them over to mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk TODAY.

12 February 2008

VInvolved: Make a Difference

Are you aged 16-25? Do you think you can help make a difference as young people in Bolton? Do you want to help raise the pofile of volunteers in Bolton and help change the image of volunteering for the better? If the anwer is Yes then...


...all you need to do is join the V-Involved Youth Action Team. The Youth Action Team (YAT) is an inititive being developed by the V Team based at the Bolton Lads and Girls Club. The YAT will be made up of representatives from a variety of projects across Bolton and will meet once a month to..

  • Raise the profile of volunteers.
  • Break down barriers.
  • Represent Bolton's young people.
  • Change the image of volunteering.

This may include organising a town wide event for Volunteers Week, or look a how the various volunteering agencies in Bolton can link in to each other. Either way its an excellent way for you to make a difference to volunteering in Bolton.For mre information or to get involved please contact Kev on 01204 454958 or email mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk

06 February 2008

Write for us...you know you want to.

Have you ever fancied yourself as a journalist, tracking down the news and letting the world know what’s going on? Or perhaps you’ve always fancied yourself as the next T4 presenter, mixing with the stars and jetting off around the world to interview celebs?

Well….now you can start to realise the dream (sort of). BFZ Volunteer Action Team needs confident young people to write for the VAT Blog on all manner of things. Perhaps you want to report on a current BFZ project you are involved with or have some poems you have written, about your experiences with bullying or BFZ. Perhaps you fancy interviewing others about their experiences of bullying (like Amy’s Article, Interview With A… Kickboxer), or maybe you just want to review music and films etc.

The VAT will consider articles by anyone aged 25 or under for inclusion on the site but can also support volunteers who want to be regular contributors to establish themselves. This can include providing support to set up interviews, use of computer facilities and reimbursement of travel expenses.

Anyone interested in becoming a regular contributor should contact Kev Walsh on mv@bullyfreezone.co.uk or by calling 01204 454958. Otherwise just keep sending us stuff as an when you think of it.

Interview with a....kickboxer

by Amy Lleyellyn

Leesha MorrisonLeasha Morrison is the youngest of a formidable kickboxing dynasty and founding member of Morrison’s Black Belt School Academy. At the tender age of fourteen she has achieved the level of black belt second dan, but has already been a black belt for three years. Alongside school and other commitments she has managed to amass an impressive array of titles, including four times World Champion, also British Champion and European Champion. Yet, the slim, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl in front of me has such a pretty, angelic face and a ready smile. Could this girl really be a potentially lethal killing machine? I decided to test the theory…



So Leasha, have you ever killed a man with one punch?
(Laughs) No!

Ok, serious now. Tell me how you got into martial arts.
Well, my brother and my dad and my mum did it, and I wanted to do it too but I was too young.

How young?
I was about six, so I was seven when I started. My brother would teach me some training moves on a Sunday.

Your martial art is kickboxing, could you tell me a little bit more about it?
It generates from Karate – you use both your hands and your legs – so it’s not like normal boxing, which doesn’t use your feet. It’s not like Thai boxing either. which uses knees and elbows. It’s loads of fun, but it’s hard work as well. It’s self-defence, but there’s a sporting side to it, you can enter tournaments. If you want to know more, just watch the Jean-Claude Van Damme film!


So have you entered any tournaments?
Yeah loads! Over a hundred… The best was probably the first WPKA [World Professional Kickboxing Association] tournament because it was a good holiday, in Kos. The second WPKA tournament was good as well, that was in Corfu.

Have you ever been bullied?
Yes! (nods head vigorously) I got bullied at Primary School from two lads who were three years above me, and sometimes people just take the mick.

What did you do?
I tried to ignore them…but when it comes to the point when you can’t ignore it anymore, you’ve got to stand up to them.

Are people scared of you, because you’re a black belt kickboxer?
Yes, because they think I might attack them! But they don’t really know me so they don’t know I’m really a nice person! Some people are scared of me…but some people just try it on.

Do you think that being a martial artist has made you more confident at school?
Definitely! It makes me want to take part in other things, like shows. Actually, it’s made me a bit gobby! But most importantly, it’s made me stand up for myself.

Some people might think that kickboxing is a lad’s sport. How do you think learning martial arts can help girls in particular?
Well, mainly for self defence, if someone attacked them in the street. It’s also good exercise, if you want to lose weight or get fit. We have a ladies only class, which is good for girls who would rather learn with other girls. Anyway, girls can do any sport that they want to do!

Have you ever been in situation either at school or outside school, where you have felt vulnerable? If so, what happened?
Fortunately, nothing really bad has ever happened to me. But a few weeks ago I was walking alone down Church Street about eight-thirty in the evening – which was a bit stupid of me – and a man came out of a shop ahead of me. He kept walking, but looking behind at me and I got a bit freaked out, so when he turned the corner I crossed over the road. He kept looking back at me, then he also crossed the road in front of me, still looking behind him. He tried a few of the handles on some car doors parked on the road. At this point I dropped back and got my phone out with 999 at the ready. The man then stood at the corner of the next street – it was like he was trying to hide – but I could see him! He was still looking… you just know if something’s wrong, you get that feeling. So I walked into the middle of the road and just stopped – I didn’t know what to do. I went to a door and knocked, and the man walked off. An old man came to the door and I explained everything and he asked if I wanted to come in, but I said no; I knew he was trying to be nice, but I didn’t know him. He asked if I wanted to use his phone to ring my mum but again, I had to say no! In the end, he just walked me to the bottom of the street and I just ran all the way home.

In what ways did your skills help you there?
Well if the man had tried to grab me I would have used my martial arts to get free. It’s hard to say though – you never know what you’d do until it happens. If someone grabs me at school, I just instinctively react.

What would you recommend our readers to do if they were physically attacked by a bully, and had no chance of escape?
First of all, always try and escape, or call for help. If that’s not possible, try to block their attack, then try and get them into a lock position or get them off balance. As soon as they are on the floor – run! And scream…

How long do you think it would take to become good enough at martial arts to be able to protect yourself like that?
You’ve got to build your confidence, which really doesn’t take that long. I’d say maybe three or four weeks. It depends; you get out what you put into it.
How do you think that martial arts can help people who are victims of bullying?
It can help victims to stand up for themselves, it builds their confidence and they learn the skills to use if they get attacked. Also, it’s fun, exciting, and you meet new people and make new friends. Here, we don’t tolerate bullying or violent behaviour.

Do you think then that martial arts can be used as a tool to combat the problem of bullying in society?
Yes definitely. People say ‘try and make friends’ or ‘tell a teacher’, but sometimes it doesn’t always work. It can get to the point where nothing else will work – but if everyone did martial arts there would be no victims for the bullies to pick on.

Finally Leasha, is there anything else we should know about martial arts?
Yeah (winks) – you get to meet loads of nice lads!

Morrison’s Black Belt School Academy (team Bolton Dragons) holds classes for all age groups throughout the week.

For more information please ring 0800 977 4151 or go to http://www.boltondragons.co.uk/.

02 February 2008

VInspired: Join V20

V, the youth volunteering charity, are currently looking for young people to join its V20 board and help shape the future of UK youth volunteering.

"As members of v20, young people have the opportunity to add fresh ideas to all aspects of v's work, from funding new projects and influencing decision-making to hosting events and helping to plan national marketing campaigns. Young people have a real say in what we do, and help us to inspire a million more volunteers.

So, if you know a young person that can spare 8 weekends a year, and at least 10 hours a month, is aged between 16 -24 and living in England, we'd love to hear from them. The roles are fun, varied and a great opportunity to develop skills and experience."

For more information on getting involed visit the V20 web page. or contact Pete or Kev on 01204 454958.

29 January 2008

Make Beautiful Music with BFZ and The Phoenix


Bully Free Zone and The Bolton Phoenix are delighted to bring you not one, but TWO fantastic opportunities to get involved in music production. The Phoenix are running two projects at the moment and would love for young people from BFZ to get involved:


"Sonic Beats is open to young people who are interested in creating a Junk Band. Using found and recycled objects, the group will create original sounding instruments to play rhythmical beats from influences across the world. There will be performances opportunities across the North West at festivals, carnivals and concerts. These weekly workshops start on Tuesday 22 January 4.30-6.30pm and will run throughout the year. Everyone welcome.


Sonic Studio offers 15-18 year olds the chance to create electronic and digital music, including recording techniques. Short courses are being run throughout the year at The Phoenix, teaching young people the latest techniques in digital music. There will also be tips on creating art work for CDs. Each participant will create their own CD to take away with them. First session begins Wednesday 6 February, 4.30-6.30pm. Closed workshops for groups are available at a heavily subsidised cost, times can be negotiated to meet the groups needs.


There's also the opportunity to gain accreditation from the National Arts Awards.


Act on your instincts and Get Involved!"


Anyone interested in getting involved should phone Kev or Pete ASAP so that we can organise some taster sessions. Deadline for registering your interest is 15th February 2008 so get in touch NOW!!!

Get Updated!

Pete and Kev over here at BFZ Towers work tirelessly trying to ensure all your details are up to date. This includes keeping a log of all the volunteering hours you have completed which goes towards your V accreditation. If you haven't already done so head on over to Hours Update Page and complete the form there and click the send button.

It couldn't be any easier to keep us up to date so you've got no excuse. What are you waiting for? get onto it now.

24 January 2008

Volunteer Action Team

Welcome to the Bully Free Zone Volunteer Action Team blog. Here you will find news, views and other stuff direct from BFZ volunteers for BFZ volunteers.

Staff and volunteers from Bully Free Zone will regularly keep this blog up to date with the latest goings on, including any new volunteering opportunities; meetings; events; and anything else we think will interest you.


So make sure you bookmark this page and keep coming back for more!

See you soon

The VAT Team