December 2010

2010 has been a really busy year for the Diana Award and I am writing to thank you all for your support and interest throughout the year.  Please stick with us, 2011 promises to be really exciting!

I thought I’d share some of our 2010 highlights with you:

• We received a six-month grant to provide consultation and gain support for a Diana Award team and base in Scotland. The will work will focus on Scotland’s policies and agenda for young people.  We have submitted a bid to Big Lottery and hope to launch the Award fully in Scotland in 2011.
• We held an event at Speaker’s State Rooms, House of Commons, to “show” rather than “tell” how Award Holders are living the Big Society through a whole range of projects and programmes which they have instigated and are actively running in their communities.  It was a wonderful evening, highlighting young people’s enthusiasm and energy and held in beautiful surroundings.  There is a firm call to action from the Award Holders and guests that everyone should actively support their communities.
• One project created by a Diana Award Holder, Jane Larbi, that has now become a programme is Finding Your Feet – a Fashion Show for young graduate designers to show their collection alongside established Fashion Designers and gain public interest.  As well as raising welcome funds, £11,000, for the Diana Award, it was a sparkling, fun occasion attended by Sinitta and Andrew Cowles.  It also provided a platform of opportunity for the young designers on the cusp of their careers.
• The Young Anti-Bullying Alliance, made up of Diana Anti-Bullying Award Holders, helped organise Anti-Bullying Week in November. They ran a great event that raised actions for a Panel of Experts to discuss. One panellist, Tim Loughton, Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, will take the action forward with Department for Education.
• Diana Award has a growing membership on its Facebook Supporters Page.  If you have not signed up and become a friend of the Award – why not?!  It offers a place to network with each other, share ideas, learn more about our activities and events and give your comments.  We really would love to hear from you, join us: www.facebook.com
• I was extremely honoured and humbled to receive the OBE this summer.  I accepted the award on behalf of and in recognition of the amazing and selfless contribution our 30,000 Diana Award holders make to the communities in which they live. They inspire me every day and this award is for us all – and will help us build on our shared successes.’

I do hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  We all look forward to seeing you and hearing from you in 2011.  It is promising to be a year never to forget!

With warmest wishes,