I received my first Diana Award in 2007 for my work within the community whilst being a young carer and my second in 2009 for my role on the Youth Citizenship Committee.

Since then I have been really busy. Whilst completing my Psychology degree at Newcastle University I became involved with a number of voluntary opportunities including: the SCAN Committees where I was the Publicity and Events Coordinator, a helpline trainer, a fundraiser and a supporter of other community projects. I somehow even managed to fit in a coffee shop job to boost my limited student funds!

I have a broad range of interests so when I completed my degree I wanted to have an open mind and get as much experience as possible. When I heard, through the Diana Award Facebook page, about an internship I jumped on the chance. I now work in the office 3 days a week, splitting my time between London and my job in Wales where I am a support worker for disabled students.

I am currently updating the Diana Award database in order to start developing the Diana Award Network to ensure that you, as Award Holders, are kept involved in the opportunities available to you. I have just been given my next project; researching Award Holders backgrounds in greater detail which will, hopefully, result in the Diana Award being able to secure more funding and therefore provide even better support for us all.

I have only been here a month and have felt at home straight away. I would highly recommend that other Award Holders get involved as you can gain a great deal of experience whilst also helping out. You can find information on www.facebook.com/thedianaaward or by contacting katie.marple@diana-award.org.uk

I received my Diana Award after running a campaign to help reduce our school’s carbon footprint. We did not have previous campaigning experience so we approached an environmental charity called the Global Action Plan to learn the necessary tools needed to run our own carbon-cutting project. We completed a series of waste audits to analyse and monitor waste and designed measures to reduce it. We weighed the waste being sent to landfill around the school and used this information to help target a successful campaign. We arranged to meet every week on a Thursday after-school and organised an assembly to launch our campaigned aimed at engaging the entire school community. Throughout the campaign period we started several initiatives such as transforming the school’s waste disposal system which included an entirely new logo. We also taught our fellow peers (and teachers!) about responsible printing and even created a campaign video to present our efforts to our school once our campaign finished. The improved recycling facilities led to a 2360kg extra paper recycled equal to 3.06 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings!

Getting recognised with a Diana Award really helps to put our efforts into perspective. At first I did not realise that running a campaign at school could grow into anything more than what it was. However, being given the chance to attend workshops to learn how we can springboard from our first campaign really encouraged me to keep going. Also, I feel passionate about creating a sustainable future through positive action. So receiving an award directed to young people who will undoubtedly be leading the future, reaffirms that this issue is something that we all care about and one that needs to be given a higher profile. Moreover, being amongst others who equally are as heavily involved in completely different projects enlightened me. Their anecdotal evidence about issues we only ever hear in passing made me appreciate their work so much more. Hearing about the Diana Network was great since I became excited about the other opportunities that may lie ahead. As a Diana Award Holder, I have the self efficacy and reassurance to immerse myself in the things I most enjoy and care about. As part of the Diana Network I know that I can share this with like-minded others and encourage as many as possible to join too by propagating service through good will and action.

The Stars Sing Betjeman in aid of the Diana Award, is a musical celebration of acclaimed poet Sir John Betjeman’s work.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
 

Hear Betjeman’s poems as you have never heard them before- set to music by Mike Read. The evening will include musical performances from an array of stars.

Sir John Betjeman was a poet and writer and held the post of Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984. He was also a popular television personality and an exponent of Victorian architecture, becoming a founding member of the Victorian Society.

The evening’s performers:

	Tony Christie recently celebrated 50 years in music and is best known for his hits I Did What I Did for Maria and Is this the way to Amarillo, which he collaborated with comedian Peter Kay in 2005 for Comic Relief.@tonychristie1  |  www.tonychristie.com
	Mike d’Abo is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the former lead vocalist of Manfred Mann.www.mikedabo.com
	Simon Williams has previously starred in Holby City and Upstairs Downstairs will narrate the evening.
	Limahl is an English pop singer. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the 1980s pop group Kajagoogoo, before embarking on a successful solo career.@limahl1  |  www.limahl.com
	Cantabile – The London Quartet have been delighting audiences since 1982 with their amazing range of programmes.@theLondon4tet  |  www.cantabile.com
	The Jive Aces are the UK’s top Jive & Swing band. Together for over a decade, they are renowned for their high energy Jump Jive music and spectacular stage show.@jiveaces  |  www.jiveaces.com
	The Springfields were the number one group in the UK, in 1962/63, achieving the FIRST hit record in the USA charts by a British vocal group ever!www.mikehurst.co.uk
	Elliott James is a successful songwriter, featured on the ‘Words and Music’ album, and can be found performing from London to Nashville, Tennessee.@frisbyelliott

This fantastic evening will raise essential funds for the Diana Award. The money raised will support the inspirational work of amazing young people across the UK, who work as volunteers, campaigners, careers and anti-bullying champions. With the award young people are encouraged to carry on inspiring the lives of others and improving our communities.

Don’t miss out on this amazing intimate event, keep the 18th March free in your diaries. A perfect gift for mums on Mothering Sunday.

This event will be for ONE NIGHT ONLY and tickets will sell out fast!

All profits from the night will be donated to the Diana Award.

Powell will encourage other Caribbean countries and the Commonwealth to nominate outstanding young people in their countries for the International Diana Award.

Asafa Powell became the first Jamaican to break the world record and has run more sub 10 second 100m races than any other person in history.

Asafa like the young people presented with a Diana Award is an inspiration to those around him. Tragically two of Powell’s brothers died in the space of one year, despite this difficult time, he found the strength to continue running. Asafa, like many of our Award Holders has channelled pain and suffering and used it to make him stronger. Both meet obstacles with determination and perseverance, inspiring others to do more and strive to be better.

On becoming the Diana Award Ambassador Asafa Powell said: “I am honoured to be the first International Ambassador for the Diana Award. I believe young people have the power to change the world for the better and I am excited to promote the award to the Caribbean. I am really looking forward to meeting the amazing young people who help others and inspire all of us to do more to improve our communities.”

Maggie Turner OBE travelled to Jamaica to welcome Asafa as Ambassador and to promote the International Diana Award to the Caribbean. Maggie was a guest speaker at the University of Technology’s Road to Olympic Glory ceremony. Maggie  said: “I am honoured to be speaking at the Road to Olympic Glory event in Jamaica.  The University of Technology, like the Diana Award inspires, motivates and encourages young people to succeed. Asafa Powell, a former UTech student, is a fantastic role model to young people and we look forward to introducing him to our inspirational Award Holders when he is in London for the 2012 Olympics.”

Asafa Powell announced as new Diana Award Ambassador with Tessy Ojo and Maggie Turner

Job description

Trust Fundraiser, 12months contract Up to £25k London (full time role; although part time will be considered)

This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic, inclusive and unbureaucratic organisation in an exciting time of growth, working closely with staff, trustees and Award Holders to maximise income generation for the organisation.

With a strong focus on communication and writing skills, the role will focus on creating inspiring and innovative proposals, identifying funding opportunities, building relationships with decision makers and submitting applications to secure new income from trusts, foundations, the lottery and other funders.

You will then manage the monitoring requirements, continued donor care, maintain and develop individual relationships with donors.

You would need to be energetic, proactive and able to juggle a number of projects simultaneously and work well within a team. You’ll also be an excellent communicator with outstanding writing skills.

If you are a Trust Fundraiser looking for a new challenge or an experienced writer looking to move into the charity sector, this could be the role for you.

The Diana Award was established in 1999 as an official memorial to Diana Princess of Wales and her belief in the power of young people to change the world for the better. Our awards exist to celebrate young people who make a positive contribution to their communities in the UK and internationally. Award Holders come from different backgrounds – they are volunteers, fundraisers, campaigners, carers once they receive their award, they are supported in achieving their true potential through the Diana Network.

The Diana Network enables these community-driven young people to gain skills, training, expertise, project management, work and volunteering experiences. It provides a hub, through which young people are directed to partner organisations – voluntary, government and corporates. It can offer support and structure for young people on their career path and also establish their long-term dedication to build a society in which we would all like to live.

To download a application pack please click on the link below:

Trust Fundraiser Application Pack

For more information; please contact Steve Hallam by email at steve.hallam@diana-award.org.uk  or by phone on 020 7921 4579.

Application closes at 5pm on Friday 24th February. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on 6th and 7th March 2012.

All the art classes at Quarry Bank Primary School made paper flowers and gave these out on their local high street. They also held an assembly called “lostphobia” in which they explored the idea of how bullying can make you feel and what you must do if you are feeling sad.

Yeading Junior School had some really good ideas, such as Promoting Anti-bullying throughout school by making posters and flyers, Nurturing new year three entrants to the school into their programme. Regular series of presentations/assemblies promoting positive behaviour and encouraging children to speak up when they have any issues and making their own Anti-bullying video saying something about Anti–bullying and how it affects others and what we can do to stop it.

During anti-bullying week 2011 Heart of England School put on a series of events: Balloon release, assemblies, Smile day: Ambassadors and Cybermentors designed posters and T-shirts that were worn throughout the day, 3 members of staff also acted as smile ambassadors, smile cakes were baked, Student support online link was added to the school website Luminites band: a young upcoming band came in with a strong anti-bullying message and performed to the school.

Joan a teacher from Sacred Heart Junior School stated after attending a conference by Alex Holmes a group of children at Sacred Heart Primary decided to set up their very own support group – the Anti Bullying Committee (ABC). The ABC regularly organise events and activities to promote cohesion and friendship in the school, such as compliment days, disability awareness days, acts of kindness rewards and rewards for those with good attitudes. They also oversee the school’s friendship bench, where children can go to on breaks and lunchtime to talk to someone from the committee, and oversee a worry box which schoolchildren use to discreetly express their concerns.

Runcorn & Widnes World Newspaper had an article on The Grange Comprehensive School: “Each year nine form has been given a day in which to perform an act of kindness, this includes holding the door open for someone, helping someone with their homework, helping clear away the lunch plates and so much more. There is a form photographer who captures and documents the day. The anti-bullying ambassadors have given a presentation to the senior staff and planned assemblies for Anti- Bullying Week”.

This month’s shout out goes to the Park View School, they attended our Anti-Bullying Programme Speak Up! Speak Out! Training event! And here is what they had to say….

Exciting times at Park View School

In December the peer supporters were delighted to be invited to attend the Speakeasy Workshop organised by the Diana Award team. It proved to be an inspirational day and the young people left with an increased confidence and lots of ideas of how to take anti-bullying work forward in the school. The dynamic action plan which has been written includes a ‘Smile Day’, ‘Random Acts of Kindness Day’ and a visit to local primary schools to release balloons with anti-bullying pledges attached. Watch this space!

This is only a selection! Alex will be visiting lots of you soon and ringing all schools at the end of January!

Alex Holmes, the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme Manager, was a previously a victim of bullying and now runs the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme.

In the TV episode Alex shows Jodie creative ways of tackling bullying in schools by spreading positive vibes with compliment and smile days. Alex ends the day with a balloon release, with young people’s pledges attached, to show a colorful display of young peoples’ commitment to tackling bullying.

To watch the programme now click here.

Can you help Alex? Alex would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your experience of bullying, offer him support or get involved. Alex also really needs help with funding to make his project National email: antibullying.ambassador@diana-award.org.uk or call 0845 337 2987. To see a video containing more of Alex’s Anti-Bullying work as a Diana Award Holder click here

Donate to the Diana Award – to help us to support more young people. Thank you.

Stand up! Speak out! Event on 6th February – Essex.

If you are passionate about stamping out bullying and are aged 19 and under, or would like your school to take part in our next Anti-Bullying Ambassadors event in the East region on 6th February, then get in touch.

The Speak Up! Speak Out! training event will be held in Basildon, Essex. The aim of the training event is to give Anti-Bullying Ambassadors confidence in campaigning skills and inspirational ideas, so that the young people feel motivated and more confident to tackle bullying within their schools and community in a pioneering way, with the Diana Award supporting them along the way.

The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors programme is free with lunch provided. We only require for schools to pay for their transportation to the event. We are currently recruiting for this event on a first come first served basis so be quick! Spread the word in your School/Academy/College. Get staff to nominate online or contact the Anti-Bullying Ambassador’s Team, Didi Yvonne via e-mail: didi.nwankwo@diana-award.org.uk or call 020 7921 4574.

Cameron’s Celebrity Charity Challenge is looking to set up a youth involvement team to help the project realise its potential. The team will consist of young people aged 14-21 who are willing to get involved in the challenge. This may consist of creating ideas for challenges, liaising with charities, working alongside myself at meetings, gaining awareness, PR and media work, social networking. Just a few of the areas I am looking for help off young people for the challenge.

I would love fellow Diana Award Holders to get involved and help me along this huge journey to raising £1million for charity! Please visit www.celebcharitychallenge.com for more information on the project and please email cameron.celebcharitychallenge@gmail.com  if you have any questions.

If you would like to be involved with the Youth Involvement Team please complete this form and send to the email above.

Remember to state clearly that you’re a Diana Award Holder. We will be in touch once all applications have been received and reviewed. The deadline for applications is Sunday 11th March 2012.

You can read my story here.