Big Society's Big Mouth Powered by v

Hi

Would just like to update this, after asking the question to some young people, here are some answers I've received.

What I asked.

"Quick question for you. We hear employers are really concerned for those young people who appear not to be ready for or interested in work.

They say young people are rejecting work.

Is this true? Any of you looking for job and want/interested to work? "

Richard Lester -" Well i can say that this is not true as i myself would love to work but they never give young people a chance anymore"

Ashok Asokan - "Lol.. Well most time young people are rejected from the employers and most young people do want to work and they are interested to work. But they not getting enough opportunities and I agree with Rich..;-)"

Craig Griffiths - "I agree I just lost my job and for months before that I'd been looking for ful time and now even part time and it's rejection after rejection or jobs I'm not qualified to do."

Johnny Chung Duh - "I mean, there is seriosly no motivation left for youngsters to get back into the game once there outta school, employers are also quite picky about there candidates these days because there are so many of them, and living in the UK theres little pressure or need to work for a living because most can jus rely/ abuse on the welfare system."

- That's just a selection.

I think it's pretty clear though!

Thanks

Kenny Mach
KIC FM Station Managerwww.twitter.com/kenny_mach
www.twitter.com/kicfm
#savekic

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@Joe, I think you largely misunderstand the banking system. Banks don't just key in an increase to their own bank account. They just lend out more money than they have creating more money upon repayment of the debt.

You may think this is wrong, but it is vital for a strong growing economy and without it banks would just be safes. Places to store your money. There would be no loans. The only people buying houses and cars would be the rich, Which is just wrong! Read less

Hey vbigmouth!

The government has cut funding to hundreds of youth organisations across the country forcing a majority of them to close down.

**How can the Big Society exist without young people?**

I work and volunteer for a youth organisation in Wolverhampton called Kids in Communication (www.kicfm.com) that has had its funding cut because of government reductions. We engaged over 5000 young people in community media projects improving employability, confidence and social skills. I think everyone understands the need for cuts but was cutting everything so viscously a better alternative to gradually reducing funding while looking at all these organisations? After this evaluation period, if an organisation isn't preforming then cut it. If an organisation is giving young people skills, if it's keeping people away from crime or giving a valuable service then keep it.

**How quickly can the rich network of voluntary organisations that has been lost because of government cuts be rebuilt?**

With a team at KIC, I've been filling out countless applications for funding, one of them is the governments Transition Fund. it was set up to help organisations change to become more sustainable in the future. The negative is that only a minute proportion can be used continue the services it provided before. This has closed too. As valuable as the fund is, some MPs seem to hide behind it so I thought I'd quickly explain it for everyone. (I'm sure Andre Stunell could do a better job of explaining though).

**Does the government have a policy for youth volunteering in the future?**

We all need to keep fighting for the amazing voluntary youth sector we've all created. We can't let it disappear. Young people are being disproportionately effected by these cuts and it breaks my heart to think so many vulnerable young people are missing out on support.

Thanks for you time. Save KIC! Save Youth Volunteering! Save Young people! Read less

Hi Andrew

My names Kenny, and I'm involved with Kids In Communication, a young persons radio station and a support network for young people.

Funded by VInspired for the last 3 years, our project, along with hundreds up and down the country was cut on the 31st March. We were solely funded by V, and as of this date, we were forced to close our doors to young people.

Over 13 years, we have trained over 5000 young people, around 500 a year, with many of them progressing into employment, education as well as life skills gained from being involved in the media environment.

Let me tell you my position. I volunteered here for 3 years prior to employment, so I know how important youth services like ourselves are. Opportunities arose, and I am now employed here for 2 years delivering front line services to young people and giving back the experience I received 5 years ago.

Right now, our £100,000 studios has now turned into an office. It makes me quite sick that instead of being full of vibrant, young volunteers, it is now filled with paper work, and empty bottles of water left by myself and my small team. We're working tirelessly trying to save the very little we have left in Wolverhampton.

I understand cuts, I accept the cuts, the objectives of the Big Society and the need to become sustainable - my problem is the time scale of the cuts - does it have to be cut so damn harshly? It's taken us 13 years to build the KIC FM rapport with our partners and young people and the vicious cuts are destroying this if it hasn't done so already.

I understand you are part of a team that is responsible for the 'implementation of The Big Society.'

My question is, why don't you embrace the rich volunteering culture Britain has to deliver The Big Society goals? Look at all the passionate young people on VBigMouth. We have such a strong youth army in the UK. They're already battered and bruised from the ridiculous rise in university fees, scrapping of EMA and they're still here fighting hard for the only thing they have left - youth services. I know, as KIC FM has reached national news, featured by BBC News, ITV News, The Guardian and much more - all down to them.

I urge you to listen, and not forget about young people. They will after all, shape the future of Britain.

I'm not afraid to say this, but right now, I trust young people more than I do Central Government.

Save KIC. Save Youth Services.

Kenny Mach
KIC FM Station Manager

www.twitter.com/kenny_mach
www.twitter.com/kicfm
#savekic Read less

The Big Society concept is based upon volunteering - everybody doing their bit. But does the government recognise that volunteering doesn't just happen by osmosis?

Volunteers dont just come forward or suddenly materialise as if by magic! Volunteering needs a funded infrastructure behind it to develop and support volunteer management.

What is this government doing to ensure that volunteer infrastructure isn't done on the cheap?

What is the government doing to ensure that 'localism' fits with volunteering?

Funding national bodies does not bring about localised change - by the time the national, the regional and the countywide bodies have top sliced management costs there is nothing left at grassroots level to do any of the real work at the coalface! Read less

Hi Karim

For me, and certainly a lot of people I come across, it's a trust issue. Politicians saying they're going to do one thing, get elected, and not doing it.

You feel betrayed, this is why, for me, I have very little confidence in the Government.

I used to have a lot of confience towards the Government, and have supported a lot of ideas, however, currently, I feel let down.

RE Uni fees, if you put yourself in a young persons situation, you'd very angry. Imagine studying, aiming high and not being able to achieve your goals and ambitions in life, just because you can no longer afford to go to uni?

It makes me ache thinking about it.

Kenny Mach

www.twitter.com/kenny_mach
www.twitter.com/kicfm
http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_156115364434140&ap=1 Read less

I agree with you on this issue, I am a young person and will be affected by the university fees decisions. I think we have to put this debate in context. Firstly, what you were saying about restricting young people's futures, don't you think what the gov't is doing is better?! University is as excessively opening up to the world as much as our immigration policies. University should have students who have a passion for what they want to learn not the general purpose. Some believe that the people going to uni would be largely rich from this policy, however, I believe it wont. Those who have a strong passion for their future would go to uni, paying 40k if they have to. But they can pay it when they earn it- that's what people dismiss. Nothing can stop ambitious, striving people from reaching their potential and earning this money without being in debt earlier on. I do agree with your point to some extent, but we have to trust the politicians and see the bigger picture which is where in DEEP PROBLEMS, and need to solve this. I would have done the same if I was in government! People need to be united and perhaps feel sympathy for countries like Libya who do not have the same freedom as we do! But thanks for responding.  Read less

I have massive respect for Libyan / Egyptian civilians fighting for what they believe in, and in the case of Egypt their protest worked.

Can I ask what the issue is that you think the Government is doing that is better?

RE Uni - I feel for the current generation. I like to think I'm still 'young.' I'm 23, and have completed university with the degree I wanted. I have around 13k debt and I'm am by no means financially comfortable.

It saddens me that for the same course now, you could potentially be in 30-40k debt.

Do you think thats a little unfair and maybe over the top? I agree, passionate students with ambitions go to uni, but how much fees have risen by, at least tripled would certinaly put me of further education.

Also, paying for education, while you earn is unlikely, when its difficult to find jobs at the moment, plus the fact you will never earn enough to pay your way through studies. What about studying time?

I also believe it's the young people who will create a better generation for the future, and I feel they have been forgotton about.

I have massive sympathy for people in Libya. I hope I hear some positivity in their situation very soon, but does that give us the excuse to dismiss the UK situation?

Thanks

Kenny Mach

www.twitter.com/kenny_mach
www.twitter.com/kicfm
http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_156115364434140&ap=1 Read less