Unloc & Verizon Business scoop impressive awards at the Better Society Awards 2024
13 June 2024
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
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The Teal Umbrella Project was created by a group of passionate young people who took part in our Inspiring Change project, sponsored by PAC (the Peer Action Collective). The project brought young people together over several months to create and develop a social action campaign on a topic which was close to their hearts and they felt passionate about.
One of those groups created the Teal Umbrella project – aimed at educating people on the prevalence of sexual violence in Portsmouth and Southampton, and where they could turn to for support and advice. One of the young people in the action group was 17 year old Ace Merriott, one of the inspiring young changemakers we’ve had the pleasure to work with over the past year. Ace tells their story:
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Ace’s experience:
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“Hi I’m Ace and I’m a 17 year old student from Portsmouth. Last April I had an Instagram Advert pop up on my screen with the title “Do you want to tackle youth violence in your community?” I’m going to be totally honest and tell you that I was entirely bored at the time (despite being about to start my GCSEs) and just figured I’d give it a chance. I signed up and not long later got told I had received a place and to come along to the residential at the end of the month.
For me, I’d done nothing like this before and this would be the first event where I knew no one else. This was frankly terrifying, and slightly off-putting – but I’m so glad I gave it a go!
Before Unloc I’d always tried to make a conscious attempt to volunteer in my local community. As a Young leader with Beavers & Squirrels (World Scout Association), I knew I enjoyed helping other people and in my local community, I’ve seen a lot of Youth Violence. Growing up Queer, Trans and Disabled in Portsmouth has often put me at the receiving end of a lot of hate, and growing up AFAB (assigned female at birth for those not in the know) has put me on the same end of Sexual Violence too. This is why our project ‘The Teal Umbrella’ was centred around Sexual Violence in Southampton and Portsmouth – we all as a group shared one common experience in our communities.
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So what is the Teal Umbrella Project? The Teal Umbrella Project is a social media campaign centred on providing support and resources for those who are victims of COCSA (Child on child/ Peer on Peer Sexual Assault). As a group it was vital to let the world know that it isn’t a taboo subject, so that hopefully more young people would open up and maybe even report their experiences.
We started from the ground up, facilitated by Unloc, making our social media page and forming our initial first ideas. We knew what we wanted to tackle – but how could we do it? After lots of deliberation we decided to hold a professional photoshoot with other young people from the surrounding areas, people of any background or gender.
Something we really wanted to highlight was that it doesn’t just happen to one category of person – it can, and does, happen to anyone.
We applied for funding through the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) to support our idea and were luckily awarded the full amount we applied for – this was incredible! I took on the role of Finance Co-ordinator for the group – managing the money and controlling the budget. I also eventually grew into the role of Communications, and from that Project manager – a journey I feel really benefited my skill set.
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We gathered friends from local communities and got them involved in the photoshoot in November – some of us got involved in it as well! The photographer was incredible at capturing the message we wanted to put across. The photos featured an actual teal umbrella, to fit back to our name, and also contained the common excuses that one may face after an assault. Some of these include “What were you wearing” and “I’m not that kind of person”. These excuses are commonly used and we wanted to bring to head how excuses are never appropriate. After this photoshoot we started the bulk of posting on our social media. Our instagram is @the_tealumbrella
The Teal umbrella got its name from two things. The colour Teal is the colour ribbon for Sexual Assault Awareness, and the umbrella symbolises the ‘umbrella terms’ that come under Sexual Assault. These include catcalling, harrassment, underskirting and many other violent and non-violent forms of sexual abuse.
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After the intial start to posting, we were contacted by several stakeholders about the project, wanting to speak to us and get involved where they could. Holding calls with all sorts of important professionals was terrifying, we’d never done anything like that before – but it was really rewarding to hear from adults who believed like us that young people can make a change.
In December, I attended the PAC (Peer action Collective) Crime Conference, which was attended by Young People from all over the country who had been completing their own social action projects/changes in their local communities. I represented the Teal Umbrella Project and had a great time telling others at the event about what we did. We also featured in a Spotlight in their review booklet. At this conference, I received the Networking Extraordinaire Award for my communication skills throughout the year. It was totally unexpected. This is something that even today I am still in awe of as compared to a year ago, I was absolutely terrified of talking to people – let alone industry professionals.
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I also was able to put the project back into my Scouting experience. It has contributed to my King Scout Award – one of the highest awards in Scouting!
Moving into January we received amazing news that YEF wanted to support our project further and came to us offering more funding to get one of our posters put onto two billboards, one in Portsmouth and another one in Southampton. Hearing once again that people really wanted to support us and believed in what we were doing was amazing, and I still love how welcoming society is becoming to the new generation of changemakers like myself. We planned once more and in early summer got billboards up in highly trafficked areas – an incredible achievement for something that started as a very small social media campaign.
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We got noticed by the South East Billboard company and received Billboard Campaign of the Month too! Gaining traction for the cause is so important as the rates of Sexual Violence in Portsmouth and Southampton are scarily high. I hope that this project gets the opportunities to grow and flourish and help more people.
I think the moment I realised how beneficial the campaign was, was when I presented it to a group of other Scouts and Leaders, and the feedback I got back was incredible, and it really hit me then what good something small can do.
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Unloc supported us the entire way through, and I would not be the person I am today without our wonderful facilitators, Katie and Jess. They helped us where need be, and organised the whole idea of Young People making change!
The person I was last year is very different to the person I am now though. Unloc gave me the skills to grow and develop as a Young Adult, while also letting me have fun and make new friends.
Moving forward, I have taken this newfound courage to join other projects such as Youth Advisory Boards and becoming a volunteer with Hampshire Youth Parliament. In Scouting I’m making new moves too; I’ve joined both a UK wide team and County (Hampshire) team to help develop my local and national scouting communities and make them overall more inclusive and accessible.
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I hope to continue working with, and for Young People and hopefully engage them in experiences that I couldn’t access until later in my Teen years. Recently, I helped lead a group of Scouts in the Portsmouth Pride Parade, and soon to London Pride!
I do hope to continue making changes in my community, and helping others. The confidence and abilities I gained this past year are like no other, and I know how much they will benefit me going into the future. “
Ace Merriott, 17
Changemaker and Networking Extraordinaire Award Winner
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We are incredibly proud to announce that our innovative I AM: programme has been shortlisted in the Community Project of the Year category at Burberry British Diversity Awards 2023.
The Awards were created by global fashion giant Burberry in order to promote the values of equality, diversity and inclusion by rewarding those individuals, organisations and unsung heroes who help to make the world and the workplace a better place for others.
Burberry are passionate that progress and acceptance cannot ever be taken for granted, and although it’s been shown diversity is good for business and society as a whole there is also a worrying increase in intolerance and hate crimes against minority groups.
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Our dynamic I AM: project, which is supported by Verizon Business, aims to empower and grow the confidence of young people to be who they are, focusing on their lives, identity, culture and their lived experience through a series of inspiring guest speakers, challenges and workshops over four weekend events.
We take a holistic view of diversity with I AM: welcoming young people from a diverse range of backgrounds; in terms of socio-economic backgrounds, racial backgrounds, care experienced young people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These young people are at the forefront of celebrating diversity in their communities.
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What’s the I AM: programme about?
The programme focuses on key themes and social issues such as inclusion, inequality, racial justice, social justice, black culture, gay pride, and trans pride. This vital project is important to bring diverse young voices together to express their truth, be heard and empower them to use their experiences combined with social action to become changemakers in the wider community.
I AM: provides the opportunity for these young people to meet with experienced professionals, social activists, artists, experts and those with power. This includes specialist consultants, community leaders, democratically elected representatives, and others who have influence.
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What did the young people from the programme feedback to us afterwards?
Following participation in the programme, 100% of young people are all saying they feel more inspired to do something different or take action in the future and 92% are saying they want to take part in other programmes.
This is how we know that the I AM programme is having a lasting impact with a legacy. We hope to continue and expand the programme in the future, and are so incredibly proud to have been shortlisted for the Community Project of the Year Award.
The fact that our hard work to improve the lives of young people has been recognised by an organisation so focused on these key themes of inclusion means the world to us. Wish us luck for the final!
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Read about our last I AM: event in Portsmouth in the media by clicking here!
View the Burberry British Diversity Awards shortlist by clicking here!
We’re thrilled to launch our exciting new programme for young people: ‘I AM: a dynamic new experience in partnership with Verizon and utilising our network of Changemaker Studios spaces to build a powerful platform that supports and incubates young changemakers in the UK.
Through the I AM: programme young people from all walks of life, cultures and communities will have the experience to express who they are without judgement, with confidence, and with pride.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT & WHO’S IT FOR?
As human beings we focus so much on what separates us or makes us different to everyone else, losing sight that we should be celebrating those differences. We are all unique.
The programme is aimed at 14-17 year olds. No matter your background, skin colour, sexuality, religion, gender or identity, I AM: seeks to help young people express their true selves, be proud of their culture and who they are, and stand up and say ‘This is who I AM’.
This dynamic free initiative is in partnership with Verizon and will see young people take the lead in tackling equality, diversity and inclusion in their local communities; learning how to leverage and drive positive change.
Throughout the programme they’ll be discovering their own abilities, then using those skills to campaign on issues that are important and personal to them. Whether that’s bigotry, racism, stereotypes, homophobia, transphobia, religious or cultural hate, they’ll understand the principles of democracy, and stand for fairness, equality and racial justice.
THE PROGRAMME
The programme will be delivered from July-December 2022 and will consist of 4 exciting and immersive weekends across Portsmouth and London, including a 1 night residential. Dates will be published shortly.
There will also be equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and racial justice workshops; campaigning masterclasses, and fun, interactive sessions, enabling young people to better understand power and influence in their communities and make lasting change!
It’s time to break down barriers, crush stereotypes and be who we really are.
LONDON DATES
Weekend 1: 10th July
Weekend 2: 17th/18th September
Weekend 3: 29th/30th October
Weekend 4: 3rd/4th December
PORTSMOUTH DATES
Weekend 1: 9th July
Weekend 2: 1st/2nd October
Weekend 3: 5th/6th November
Weekend 4: 26th/27th November
Senior Programme Facilitator, Stacey Bawden said:
‘’I am really looking forward to bringing this project to life for young people and providing them with an opportunity to explore how they can elicit change. It’s so important we recognise and learn about the injustices within our communities and how we can support social change. I am constantly inspired by the young people we work with and look forward to taking this journey with them.‘’
The I AM: programme is part of a wider project in collaboration with our partners Verizon, consisting of leadership development; exploring social action within local communities, and equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills to take forward into their futures.
Verizon’s CSR, DE&I, & Innovation (EMEA Marketing Manager) Xavier White said:
“I’m delighted that Verizon is able to support this program as part of our ongoing work with Unloc. Diversity and human prosperity are part of our core values and society is one of our four core stakeholders. It’s wonderful that we are able to run programs like this for young people and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”
Apply now! The deadline for applications for the I Am programme is the 1st July 2022, spaces are limited so if you or someone you know is interested in signing up then be sure to do so quickly!
For more information or to apply, please click here!
We’d like to give special thanks to Verizon for their support and funding for this exciting new project.
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
Last Thursday industry professionals from across the country gathered at Verizon’s slick London Hub in at MidCity Place, Holborn, for a Changemaker Moments event on Manufacturing.
During the February half-term and Easter holidays this year, 53 young people, in Year 11 and 12, from across Portsmouth participated in our ‘Portsmouth Inspires’ Programme, funded by NCS.
. We’re looking for a passionate & creative young person aged 16-25 in the Portsmouth or London areas to become our first official social media
We’re thrilled to reveal that we and Verizon Business won two awards at The Better Society Awards 2024!
Last Thursday industry professionals from across the country gathered at Verizon’s slick London Hub in at MidCity Place, Holborn, for a Changemaker Moments event on Manufacturing.
During the February half-term and Easter holidays this year, 53 young people, in Year 11 and 12, from across Portsmouth participated in our ‘Portsmouth Inspires’ Programme, funded by NCS.
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