Created by Vinu Ariyaratne Part of the Suffolk Assembly of Youth toolkit

One mind, one team  Get to know your team and build those relationships! It makes things much easier when you get along well with your team.  Try and avoid arguments and remember you might have to compromise and negotiate. The world doesn't revolve around one person, and there's no ‘I’ in team!  Remember - you're all doing the project for similar reasons, and you're stronger together! Here is my team presenting our project idea. Which would have been hard if we didn't get along!

What do you want to change?  So what is your team PASSIONATE about?  What's that one thing you want to change in your community?  If you had the power, how would you use it for the good of your community?

Do your homework!  You can’t campaign on an issue that you don’t know anything about - you need to do your research. That may include Wikipedia, an interesting documentary, or speaking to people who are knowledgeable about the issue.  What is the history and background of the issue you are campaigning around? You should think about this before starting to raise awareness or make a change.  Is there any existing research or statistics you could use to support your project? How big of a problem is it in your community?

Now that you know... How are you going to do it? Raise awareness? Raise money? Make a change?  This could be anything from a litter pick, to revamping a garden, to creating a film or hosting a radio show. Be imaginative!  Make sure everyone's happy with what you choose, its got to be a team decision! My team decided to raise awareness about emotional wellbeing.

Planning...  How will you fund your project? If you’re raising money for charity, how will you do it? E.g. a car boot sale or sponsored run.  How will you promote your project?  Where will you hold events or meetings for your project?  You might have to make risk assessments so that you’re prepared for anything.  Is what you want to do realistic and affordable?  What support can you obtain? What is the purpose and goal of your project?

Get contacting!  Distribute leaflets to promote your project and find help and support.  Contact local charities or organisations for support and ideas - e.g. Suffolk Assembly Of Youth (SAY).  We all know how to Google! So look around at venues for your campaign, and get a good deal!  Contact local news organisations to support and promote your project. You could try Bury Free Press, BBC Radio Suffolk, or the East Anglian Daily Times.  Social media is a useful tool – build up your campaign online, and make it interesting with images and videos.

Motivation!  Its not going to be easy, you will lack motivation at times.  But keep your goal in mind, and remember it will all be worth it!  Make sure you do your part! Everyone in the team has to contribute to make it work.  Be honest and open with your team – you need trust to make your project run smoothly.  Think about how what you are doing will benefit people’s lives and make a real difference.

Your legacy... Make a project that has a lasting impact!  Leave a legacy that is worthy of all your hard work, and that continues without your input.  This could be done by inspiring others, raising awareness of your project, or creating a step-by-step guide so that others can carry on with your project. It could be an inspirational video, a speech in a school assembly, or presentation at a local event.

Here are some contacts...  Get in touch with SAY- Like SAY on Facebook Follow SAY on Twitter on FacebookSAY on Twitter  Here is a website for making leaflets  Get information from your local council record office – visit Suffolk County Council Record Offices or call Suffolk County Council Record Offices