Volunteers are the backbone of our communities, especially when it comes to providing youth activities. Volunteers are great value for money, enabling things to happen which would otherwise fail through lack of money. And volunteering also offers great opportunities for people to gain new skills and experience and build personal confidence.
BACYP works to ensure a regular supply of high quality, committed individuals who can provide young people across the county with; ‘somewhere to go’, ‘something to do’ and ‘someone to talk to’. In this way, we offer routes into volunteering for young people.
We are committed to finding suitable activities for young people to become involved in. One scheme is the vinvolved programme, which is a way for young people to gain recognition for the voluntary commitment they make to their local causes.
The locality teams across BACYP can support your individual needs with regards to volunteering, recognition and celebration we can still provide access to v and other national recognition schemes.
We have established systems to accredit and reward both adult and young people for their volunteering. These encourage continued participation and an allegiance to their community programme.
Through positive youth action we can encourage the development of enterprising behaviour.
Volunteering News
Young People at Heart of Big Society.
On 11th March at Trunkwell House Mr Roger Smee MBE presented 100 young people age 11 to 25 from Bracknell, Wokingham, Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Reading and West Berkshire with awards for their outstanding contribution to their community . Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People(BACYP) held an Oscar style event to celebrate and recognise their young volunteers who all give up their time to help out in their local community .
BACYP have in the last 3 years supported nearly 6000 young volunteers to take positive action in their community and these amazing young people have delivered over £5million pounds worth of community action (based on hours delivered at minimum wage).
The event saw local bands perform and fun activities such as Dodgems and bungee runs.
Bianca Gallipoli- BACYP Youth Action Manager said “it has been a real honour to support these young people to take positive action in their local community and challenge the negative stereotypes of our young people. They really are what Big Society is all about”
This event is being sponsored by Corporate Leisure
The winners were:
The Fresh Award for best new volunteer
Sophie Kyte from Britwell Youth Center
The Spirit Award for the all round commitment to volunteering; embodying the spirit of volunteering
Ryan Woods from Wokingham
The Connect Award to recognize innovative and effective efforts to bring communities together
Declan Grant from Britwell Youth Centre
The Legend Award for outstanding leadership
Faye Gobbi from Reading.
The Shout Award for campaigning
The Young Activators from The Wayz Youth Club Bracknell
The Triumph Award for overcoming personal adversity or enabling a community to rise above a challenging circumstance
Carl Haywood from West Berksire.
The Unite Award for team activity
The Saturday Night Getaway Management Committee from Windsor
The Energy Award for outstanding contribution to youth volunteering Kim Price from Reading.
Mr Roger Smee MBE : President of Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People said on the night...
“The awards this evening are recognition of the huge contribution you have made to your community they represent young people at their very best, they demonstrate the commitment you have to making your community a better place to live.
BACYP has supported over 6000 Young people as volunteers and every single one of you has contributed to make the local community a better place without your support and commitment government would have to find an additional £5million pounds. Congratulations to you all "
Volunteering Opportunities
What's your passion ? we have volunteer opportunites to match what you are into !!!!
Click the links below to find out more about BACYP’s volunteering opportunities:
- Youth Action - encouraging young people to engage with communities
- vinspired - the volunteering site for 16 - 25 year olds
- Youth Achievements Awards
Volunteering News
BACYP vTeam has 3 Finalists for the National vAwards
BACYP is proud to announce that we have successfully nominated 3 of the National Finalist for the 2011 National vAwards. These have being whittled down from over 700 nominations accross 9 regions in England.The work of these young individuals has truly been outstanding and although there can only be 8 winners on the night every one of the finalists deserves a mention for their dedication and achievements.
The finalists will find out live this March in London at the vinspired National Awardswhether they've won! Good luck everyone...
The Unite Award Winner
Wokingham Youth Cafe:Adam Wingrove, Tony Lee-White, Chelsea Crosson-Smith, Amy Truscott, Freddie Bridge, Peter Swallow, Emily Harrison,
This group of young people came together to open a youth café. They campaigned through the local press to find a venue and support for the project and formed a management committee to run the café and advertise it at community events and schools. They have successfully engaged more young people in volunteering and set up a safe environment where young people can meet and socialise.
The Energy Award Winner
Clare Downey
Clare is a school teacher who runs the Schools Volunteer Programme ‘Unity’ to encourage 6th form pupils to volunteer for at least an hour a week. Thus far, she has managed to help and encourage 70% of them to successfully apply for a vinspired award. In addition, she leads on a project partnership with a specialist school, where volunteers from her school buddy with young people from the specialist school. Her main project is the ‘Flying Pigs’ scheme, where young people are given the opportunity to volunteer in a school in Moldova. As well as inspiring the sixth form to volunteer, Clare has been on the local 'Save the Children' committee for 34 years.
The Fresh Award Winner
Krishna Kulkarni
Krishna moved to England from India last year and immediately jumped into volunteering! She volunteers at the West Berkshire Indian Society to help plan and manage cultural events. She has conducted assemblies in her school to introduce her colleagues to a new culture and has also helped Indians mingle with the local community. She sits on the School Council and has helped with HPV vaccinations. She volunteered at a Year 7 camp and now helps teach children with physical and learning disabilities. Krishna volunteers for the Download website, giving advice and support to young people, and has raised funds for guide dogs for the blind.
For further information on volunteering with BACYP please use the contact us email.
Contact us to learn more about Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People.
