Envision wins Big Society Award
Youth charity Envision wins a Big Society Award for helping young people to create positive change in their local communities.
A youth charity set up by 4 young people in a garden shed which grew to cover 3 UK cities has been recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron with a Big Society Award. The Envision charity, founded in 2000, supports young people to make changes they want to see in their local communities.
The award was announced on 9 December 2013 at an Envision event in Bristol, called Pitch4Change. At the event young people presented their ideas for community change, bringing together young people, schools, colleges, businesses, mentors and volunteers. The Mayor and Lord Mayor of Bristol also attended the event.
Envision works with 16 to 19 year olds from over 130 schools and colleges across Bristol, Birmingham and London to develop and deliver projects to solve social and environmental problems they care about. From organising social events to bring different generations together, to refurbishing a skateboard park, young people are given real responsibility and supported to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get results. Fourteen years on from their first meeting in their garden shed, Envision has a staff of 30, the support of over 200 volunteers, 166 corporate mentors and offices in Bristol, Birmingham and London.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
Envision gives young people the tools they need to make the changes they want to see in their communities.
This Big Society Award recognises the achievements of the Envision staff, volunteers and the thousands of young people who have got involved and made a difference.
Jennie Butterworth, Chief Executive of Envision said:
We are thrilled to be receiving this award and excited to be able to share this with all the young people, community volunteers and corporate mentors who have given their time, experience and resources to helping build stronger communities. With lots more exciting plans in the pipeline we’re looking forward to supporting even more young people next year.
Find out more about the Big Society Awards.