CSV is the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity established in 1962. Our vision is of a society where everyone can participate to build healthy, enterprising, inclusive communities...
CSV has been a pioneer of active citizenship since 1966 when it launched its Schools Advisory Service. One of CSV’s main aims is to play a part in the social development of Europe and to encourage active European citizenship, particularly among disadvantaged youth. We organise the annual “Volonteurope” conference and Active Citizens of Europe (ACE) Awards.
Every year tens of thousands of people get together across the UK for CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's biggest day of volunteering. CSV Preston has a wealth of experience of managing and delivering high profile, dynamic volunteering and community projects with local and European partners. These initiatives have been funded through various central, local and European Government departments or Agencies. These include the ESF & Youth In Action Programmes. Specific projects have included Millennium Volunteers, a UK Govt initiative to get young people involved in volunteering projects.
Since 1999 we have engaged over 5000 young people in active citizenship in projects ranging from beach cleans to awareness raising campaigns through the creation of media products in film, radio and print. In our daily work we use media to enable young people to express themselves about issues important for their generation. Young people have created films about issues such as teenage pregnancy, lack of youth facilities and substance abuse. In 2006 CSV were partners in a video conferencing project that involved the North West Regional Assembly and the European parliament.
Young people carried out research before questioning politicians at national and European level, including a live link up with the European parliament.
We have been cooperating with our Polish partner for 5 years organising numerous projects in order to facilitate European Citizenship. Projects have included a youth exchange titled ‘Citizenship by Stealth’ where participants arranged a sports day for disabled children, a Youth Initiative, Youth Take on Preston/Kielce when young people produced their own individual guides to the respective cities of Preston and Kielce.
Project management will be the responsibility of Steve Egan and Anita Obrzut. Steve Egan has over 10 years’ experience of delivering projects that target young people facing disadvantage and is PRINCE2 practitioner. Day to day coordination will be the responsibility of Anita Obrzut. Anita has a Master’s degree in and has successfully coordinated numerous local and European projects.
CSV Delivery team consists of Laura Bailey, Peter Hall, Holly Breakell, Rob Swarbrick and Elisabeth Munto. They are responsible for day to day delivery of project activities that involve young people aged 14-19 who are disengaged from society.
