Young People of the Year 2008 Nottinghamshire

You can now see a selection of entries for YOPEY in Nottinghamshire at the following link:

www.youngpeopleoftheyear.org/entriesstories

Amy is a busy teenager who is a mentor to her peers and helps others has been nominated for SkillsTrain Young People of the Year in Nottinghamshire.  As well as encouraging youngsters to attend a mobile youth club Amy Gardiner is a young carer and also helps raise money for a charity.

Emma, 14, an animal-loving teenager who has become indispensable to her local animal rescue centre has been nominated for SkillsTrain Young People of the Year in Nottinghamshire.

Frankie, 17, has been nominated for SkillsTrain Young People of the Year for her contribution to the memory of a late schoolfriend.

Sam, 15, is a sports-mad teenager who passes his skills on to other young people has been nominated for the SkillsTrain Young People of the Year

Find out more about all these entrants stories and others at: www.youngpeopleoftheyear.org/entriesstories.

Plus, find out more about YOPEY below...

Young People of the Year or ´YOPEY´ (pronounced yop-ee) corrects the unfair, negative image of young people today.  Its mission is to reveal young unsung heroes, recognise them publicly, and to reward the very best. The award-winners can then become positive role models (PRMs) and inspire younger generations to make better choices as they grow up

Previous entries have come from all backgrounds and all organisations, from schools and youth organisations to charities and churches. Some enter themselves or are nominated by their families and friends. They reflect the richness of positive activities that young people are involved in today, from projects at home and abroad, through leadership of organisations to caring for others... All these PRMs are now getting more positive publicity thanks to YOPEY!

• Fact - until YOPEY came along over 70% of newspaper coverage of young people was negative.
• Fact - in areas where YOPEYs are held between 20-50 pages of positive publicity is generated.

This fits with one of the five key outcomes of the Children's Trusts - Making a Positive Contribution.

By supporting Young People of the Year or YOPEY in Nottinghamshire, the County Council will be helping to give the young people of the County the fairer image they deserve.

Young People of the Year is open to young people aged from 10 to 25. They should live, work or study in Nottinghamshire and the surrounding area. They can enter themselves or be nominated.  Full details can be also found by downloading the YOPEY 2008 Poster.

The overall winner will receive £1000 - £500 for themselves and £500 for their supporting organisation. The junior winner will receive £500 - £250 for themselves and £250 for their supporting organisation. Two runners-up will each receive £250 - £125 for themselves and £125 for their supporting organisation.

You can fill out an online nomination form either nominating someone you know or nominating yourself or you can download a Notts Yopey Entry Form 2008.  (The fill-in fields are 'live' so you can fill them in on your computer or print out the form and complete it in the traditional pen-and-paper way.) Don't forget - young people can enter themselves!

Please send your completed form by post to :

Yopey PO Box 103 Hare Street WARE Hertfordshire SG9 0XD or Email your completed form to : entries@yopey.org

A supporting organisation is a not-for-profit body that works with young people, such as a school, charity or youth group. Relatives, friends or work colleagues of the entry can nominate, but they cannot be a supporting organisation.

Entries can be for individuals or groups. If entering or nominating a group, input details for the group in the form, (its name, age range, address for correspondence etc).  Then name individual members as you feel necessary under "Why this Entry should win a YOPEY." There is no need to name every member in large groups but for twos or threes it is preferable.

If your entry is not acknowledged within two weeks, please call 0845 838 2640 (low rate call). The deadline for entries is Friday, 31st October 2008 and an Awards Ceremony will be held at County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham on Friday 12th December 2008 (provisional). However, even if this deadline has passed, please still nominate. Your entry may still be given a 'wild card' entry into another YOPEY!

The earlier you enter or nominate the more likely your entry and supporting organisation are to receive positive publicity. Entries should be willing to cooperate with publicity.

If you want more information please visit www.yopey.org