Book of Years2011-2015

Year One - 2011/12

Year Two - 2012/13

I didn't expect it to be so good. Team v was just going to be a bit of volunteering alongside my degree. It was never meant to be... this. Sure, my original YNC Kriya had to ring me repeatedly until I finally relented and came to my first residential, the program's fourth, but once I did I never looked back.

Three years later I can honesty say Team v is one of the greatest things I've ever done. Sure, some parts were hard. Some parts pushed me to breaking point and beyond. But nothing that matters is easy and Team v wasn't built to be easy.

Team v was built to challenge and develop young people. It was built to give them the ability to succeed not just during the nine months but into their adult lives. Team v was built to show just how amazing the youth of today can be and I'm so glad I was part of it for so long.

Yes, it's sad that Team v is coming to an end but it helped so many. Imagine where you'd be if you had never encountered the program. One Residential was enough to give you full faith in the leaders of tomorrow.

I decided to make this Book of Years because I wanted something to remember the program by. Something I could look at in years to come to remind myself of what I achieved. I felt others would feel the same. Please feel free to print this out, edit it, change it and make it your own.

I've tried to choose pictures from all years of the program and tried to include as many leaders, mentors and staff as possible. Obviously, I will have missed some and included too many of other (aka Alex and Rob) and I'm sorry if you were missed, there are over 300 Team v'ers!

Finally, I want to say thank you to everyone I encountered on this program. Without the tireless work put in by the staff we'd never have had Team v and without the incredible leaders and mentors the program would never have been so good.

Thank You, John Morris

Leader, Mentor and Senior Mentor

Introduction

Year One

Tackling Food Poverty

Loneliness and Isolation in the Elderly

Improving Child Literacy

Year Two

Youth Homelessness

Make Time for Your Mind

Renovating Unloved Community Spaces

Year Three

The Sustainable Generation

Love is?

Roots to Routes

Year Four

Beyond Food

Do You Care?

Swing the Vote

Mentors

The Staff

Residentials

Graduations

Thank You

For Everything

#TeamvForever Team v made me understand what it was like to really work for change and see it happen!!! It didn't just change and help my confidence but grew my teams confidence in them selves! Thank you Team v I can't wait to hopefully be apart of more changes and

campaigns to help change the world.' Steff Dunkley

'Thank you Team V for providing me with such a valuable experience! I wouldn't be the person that I am today had I not been lucky enough to participate in such an amazing programme! I am forever grateful! Thanks to everyone who helped put it together!' Michaela Bousfield

'Thank you very much to everyone in Team v. It has been an amazing experience and one of the best chapters in my life! I have definitely made the right choice of signing up in the first place Thanks very much to everyone, it has been a pleasure.' Evangeline Kiu Sum

'It has been an incredible experience, I'm so glad i stuck with it even when it was difficult, It really has helped shape me as a person! It's made me believe in my potential to be a leader & to create real positive change in my community by engaging with politicians, neighbours, students & even the press. It's been an incredible journey.' Zahrah Fatima

'I wanted to thank every single member of staff at vInspired and also the mentors for what a great job they have done this year but the past years Team v has been running. It is an incredibly beneficial programme and the skills and experience I have gained through this will continue to help me in life and I will never forget it.' Rahoul Naik

'I would like to say a huge thank you to all the vInspired Team v staff and funders, in particular the Rank Foundation (Chris & Helen) and Laura my YNC. I had an amazing journey on the programme both as a leader and mentor and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for your support. I wish you all the very best for the future and please stay in touch! God bless.' Shaun A Ferguson

'I met some amazing people on Team v, the programme was totally inspiring from start to finish and I wish we could relive the residentials once a month as a pick me up, but alas it is no more. Huge thanks to those who supported us, and for team v being a catalyst for me joining ICS in India for 10 weeks, another adventure I will never forget.' Kristina Cook

'Thank you to all of TeamV for being so inclusive and basically being one of the best things I've done in my life. Love you guys & will miss you all lots! xx' Kate & Team v mum Tracy

'Thank you Team v for making me realise that I'm special. You guys made me keep going through a pretty hard time and I can't thank you enough xxx' Jen-Carr McGraw

'It's been amazing going from a volunteer to a team leader! I have met so many wonderful people and developed important skills.Thank you Team V for this great opportunity!' Blessing Umoudit

'Thank you Team v for investing in us with your time and guidance. I'm very proud to be a part of the last year for this and wish you all the best.' Samantha Larbi'

'The skills I learnt from team v have enabled me to set up my own theatre company. I hope to do my little part in creating a lasting memory for an unbelievable program.' Pete Stevens

'When I first applied to Team v I didn't know what to expect, Within a couple of hours of the first residential and after meeting my fellow leaders and vInspired staff, I felt that rare and

thrilling feeling that I was part of something very special. From taking part in the Team v programme I’ve come to understand the world better and learnt about real issues we need to address to make our communities a better place to live. I also developed as a person and it gave me the confidence to take risks, try new things and not be afraid to sometimes get it wrong. I met an incredible group of young people who were passionate, committed and inspirational. It was truly life-changing, enlightening and inspiring. I wish I could do it all again.' Luke Harris

'Thank you so much for bringing me back to life and giving me meaning again' Naomi Barrow

'Thanks to Chloe for being supportive and kind to me and my team of volunteers. Most importantly for being a consistent motivating force throughou.' Selina Davis

'Thanks you to all the Team v staff for providing such a fun experience and amazing opportunities. I wish I had done more, but I'll never forget what you helped me to achieve. Ffion, thank you for always being patient and never yelling at me. You're one of the most lovely people I've met and your support really helped a lot. Thank you!' Suzanne Barrett

"I would just like to say a massive thank you to all of the Team v staff who supported me, and continously encouraged and inspired me to do better. I would also like to give one gigantic shout out to my YNC Ffion for her ongoing patience, praise and words of wisdom. I have appreciated all that you have given to me! Thank you Team v staff.' Sarah Bax

'I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make team v the success it has been. I owe so much to the opportunities the programme has given me to personally develop and learn which direction my life should take. In particular, I'd like to say thank you to Amy Spiller, who has continually believed in me and always seen the best, in turn helping me to strive higher and believe in myself. Thank you so much!' Catherine Uttley

'Thank you for believing in me, giving me the time, the opportuity, the support and seeing something others didnt. Having been involved with vInspired, or V, since it's launch when I was 14, finishing those 9 years with Team v when I was 25 was a perfect ending for all the volunteering I've done over the years. Thank you for everything!' Sammie Banks

'Thank you for teaching me so much, for making me realise what I could achieve, for building my confidence and skills. But mostly, thank you for making me believe in myself. Lots of love and best wishes.' Reema Patel

'Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for all their hard work and commitment. I wish everyone all the success for the future. Keep in touch.' Yael Collins

'Thank you Team v from the memories from the interview process to my last campaign. I can recall so many moments that Team v has made an impact on my life. It has been an incredible programme to be part of, I really enjoyed working on the different campaigns. Amy Senior, thank you for always encouraging me despite at times I feel that I am not achieving. Team v has truly been awesome.' Kishan Patel

'Thank you, Team v! You've taught me so much, and helped me to become a better person.' Emily Graham

'Team v inspired me and alot of my journey since. A guy once said something to the effect of it's better to travel than to arrive! Team v in a lot of respects is a journey and an awesome one despite it's challenges.' Chandos Green

"I'd like to say thanks for an amazing 3 years. I've had a great time with Team v and wouldn't change it for the world (I've probs changed the world, which is nice). Don't ever change and carry on changing more people's lives." Rob Abraham

'Since Team v I've become happier, more confident and much more adventurous. Thank you so much for changing my life.' Beth Whitaker

'Team v gave me that gut-wrenching fear you get when faced with a task you always wanted to complete but were not sure you could…and the courage, support and friendship to achieve it.' Stine Mawer

"Thanks Guys, you rock in general! #TeamvTakeover" Sara-Lloyd Knibbs

'I just want to say a huge, huge thank you to everyone at vInspired and on the Team v staff for such an amazing experience that I've had with Team v, as short as it has been. I'm so thankful that I've had the chance to be a part of it and good luck to everyone in the future!' Tristan Marris

'Thank you Team v for showing me the difference I can make, for helping me to find my way, and for so many laughs!' Lucy Dean

'Y'all are ayyyt' From a drunken Alex Quang

'I just want to thank everyone for their support throughout the Team v experience. I was stuck in a rut and anxiety and lack of confidence were controlling my life. I am now much more confident, happier and more active in my local community. I made the most amazing friends and met the most inspiring people. I want to say a special thank you to Naomi for inspiring me to take part and to Amy Spiller for helping me through the low points. Standing in front of a crowd was something I wouldn't have been able to do before Team v.' Hayley Louise

"My time as a Team v leader was an incredible experience and taught me so much-from leading a team of volunteers to event management. My utmost thanks to all at Team v.' Lee-Anne

Met some wonderful people and learnt so many skills that are already helping me in the career path I want to follow. Thank you Team v.' Emmeline Kellie

'Thanks for making me the best me I can be ' Catherine Elizabeth

'Massive thank you to everyone who supported the project. I feel that Team v has grown me so much and the effects are reflected in everyday life, at work, in the community and in social life. Team v has made me a much more confident, resilient and understanding person and for that. It really has changed my life! I think it's the reason I finally get to fulfil my dream of becoming a midwife. Thank you so much. What team v has given me will benefit every woman and their families that I work with. That, I promise to see to. Thank you so much!' Amira Haque

'Team v gave me a family that supported me. They inspired me to want to make change and empowered me to be able to make the change. They have been the most approachable, non-judgmental and passionate people to be around. I will always be grateful.' Nat Hawley

'Massive thank you for the chance to be part of Team v, I truly believe it was one of the steps in helping me find myself and allowing me to see exactly what I wanted to be involved in for the future. It also allowed to me to meet some truly great like minded people, for that I am truly grateful!' Leila Ni Pashley

'Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity, the unique chance to improve myself as a person, and for causing me to meet so many fantastic people! Team v might be over officially, but it will forever live on in each and everyone of us.' Haaris Aytishaam Mahmood Qureshi

'Thanks to everyone who played a part in Team V. It was a life changing experience that brought together a group of young people to help change the world. Cant wait to see it live on through all of us.' Carl Francis

'Thank you for the opportunity to develop so many new skills, thank you for the opportunity to do some real good in the world. thank you for the scholarship that allowed me to live my dream of volunteering with monkeys.' Charlotte Brewer

'Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Team V was everything that I needed to become the person that I am today. I keep believing in a better future and will keep making a difference!!' Antitsa Undzhiyan

'Thank you team v for letting me have the opportunity to get directly involved in my community and helping me have the confidence and ability to help the community that I live in and support me in making the best impact that I can. Not only that but Team v helped me make an amazing network of equally supportive amazing people who want to make a difference and build your confidence ten fold to allow you the power to make that difference happen' Tamara Swales

'Thank you Team v for helping me to become the person I am today. Your support and encouragement have enabled me to realise and chase my dreams and I will be forever grateful. You are all amazing!' Evie Hibbitt

'You guys invited me into your family when I needed it most, when I felt lost and unsure what I was going to do next. The most amazing, passionate, kind, funny, beautiful group of people I've known. You gave me fire in my belly and love in my heart (in all senses!) Thank you Team v for inspiring and motivating me to change the world. You're all amazing!' Jenny Mullinder

'Thank tou to TeamV for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. Without TeamV I wouldn't have realised my full potential! Thank you to all the amazing staff that made everything possible, and a special thank you to Fiona for being the coolest YNC!' Callie Mole

'Sometimes things will come to an end but our happiness and love for helping others will continue smile emoticon to new adventures and campaigns together!! X' Tessemer Sadatian

Year Three - 2013/14

Year Four - 2014/15

Team vGoodbye