Why?
We know how daunting it feels when you want to change something, but just don’t know how to go about it. We know how insignificant you can feel as one student amongst hundreds and thousands of others. And we know that even though you might see injustices all around you; be they about global politics or social inequality, racism or homophobia, social or student housing, benefits or bursaries, unemployment or career guidance, you feel powerless to affect them.
How?
NUS’ ‘I Am The Change’ competition offers you, your friends, classmates or community group etc. the chance to receive campaigns training, funding and on-going support for a change that you want to make.
You can upload pictures here and tell us details about a positive change that you’d like to make. It doesn’t matter what the change is about: education, your community, the environment, personal development, health and wellbeing, careers or politics. If it matters to you, it will probably matter to others.
Once you’ve submitted your change online, people will be able to vote for you to win. So, even if you don’t want to personally make a change – you can still be involved by voting for the entry you’d most like to see get help to make a change.
So, check out all of the entries here and follow us on twitter to read updates on the competition too.
An update…
Last year saw Epsom PHAB, a volunteer-run youth club based in the Linton Centre in Epsom, saved from closure by Surrey County Council. This was all down to the efforts of those in the community who, with a little help from NUS, chose to fight with their club. Epsom PHAB had been running every Friday night for over 34 years, and over 120 members, some of whom included those with physical disabilities, some with learning difficulties and some able bodied people, were not prepared to see a huge part of their community sold off for profit. Epsom PHAB’s story has inspired NUS to continue this competition. You can read more about their story here.
Remember that even small changes we make, like recycling or boycotting goods or signing a petition, can end up making a bigger difference than we could ever have imagined.
