[Titles on screen: Change it, Common Purpose, Deutsche Bank] Ben Shepherd – Hi, I’m Ben Shepherd. Now, do you have a great idea that could make a difference in your community? Well, it’s time to get your entries in for the Change it awards, run by Common Purpose and supported by Deutsche Bank. The Change it awards are designed to recognise support and reward campaigners between the ages of 11-18 who want to speak out and create positive change. There are three different categories: innovation, performance and – a new addition this year – photography. And you can enter any category, with a prize of up to £750. Campaigns covering all topics are welcome and can be really big or really small. Judges look for achievable ideas and determination to make them happen – or evidence that a campaign has had an impact in the way that it’s been delivered. Now, this year’s awards were a massive success and saw some of the UK’s most committed young campaigners get the recognition that they deserve. We had over 230 entries and the decision-making was not an easy task. But, a great time was had by all. If, for some reason, you missed out this year then don’t worry, nominations are opening for the Change it awards 2009. So, if you think you’ve got an idea that needs to be heard, well to give you an idea of what can be achieved how about you meet two of the finalists from this year’s awards? [Words on screen: Changeit *Who? Therapy Through Horses. Naomi Milligan. Performance Awards] Naomi – I set up Therapy Through Horses to bring a place that young people can come and relax. And we have a lot of bereavement people, people with traumatised areas in their life and we’re able to bring them to the horses and they just really open up and relax around them and actually enjoy it a lot more and able to speak a lot more openly than one to one with a person. [Words on screen over pictures of horse-riding and horses in stables: At 13, Naomi had the idea to create a Therapy Through Horses programme in Reading] Naomi – It was great to be nominated by Changeit Awards as it really enables me to open up the project to other people and really have that pride in myself to say that I’ve really done something well for other people and also for the people that are the volunteers on the project so they can have some pride in that project as well. It meant a lot. [Naomi’s parents Yvonne and Sam Milligan] Yvonne – We’re proud of Naomi and her achievements through the Therapy Through Horses because she knows how much she’s got from the horses and she wants to share that with others so we’re just really proud of what she’s done and what she’s been able to achieve through that. [Words on screen: Changeit. Who? Eco Schools / Eco Business. Jack Williams. Performance Awards Where? Dover What? Jack Williams, 18, founded the Green Footprint Group coalition between six schools in Dover and hosted an Eco Business Day, Primary Schools Eco Day and has started an e-petition to increase the funding for schools to go green] Jack – We set up the Green Footprint Group for a number of reasons, mainly because far too often we hear about environmental negatives and what not to do and of your carbon footprint but we’ve actually changed that and turned it on its head and said it’s actually time to start talking about your green footprint. So that’s where we came up with the name the Green Footprint Group. [picture on screen: newspaper with headline ‘Firms head back to school for eco class] Ben Shepherd – Changeit 2008 was a huge success, 2009, though, looks to be even better so make sure you get involved. The nominations are open from 1st October 2008 – that’s this year. The judges are looking for passion, for innovation and determination to really make change happen in your schools, in your clubs and in your communities. The awards have got nothing to do with academic achievement or exam grades. We don’t care how clever you are, what we care is about is citizenship and positive action, that’s what we’re interested in. So whether it’s a scheme for reducing litter, combating street crime, maybe setting up an after school club…Changeit could help you get your brilliant idea off the ground. If you want more information then got online. Our website address is www.changeit.org.uk and all the nomination forms are there as well. Get the ideas in, raise your voice and make yourself heard. What you waiting for?! [Titles on screen: Change it, Common Purpose, Deutsche Bank]