Trevor Nelson on volunteering

Coldplay, U2 and Madonna all did it at Live 8! Davina McCall went to Africa to do it. Princes William and Harry spent their gap years doing it - and hundreds of thousands of you lot have signed up to get involved in the last four and a half years alone. teentoday.co.uk caught up with top DJ Trevor Nelson to find out why volunteering is proving to be the coolest vibe of the new Millennium!

Trevor, isn’t volunteering just for old people?
Volunteering is no longer an old fashioned word – it’s not just something for older people with plenty of time on their hands. Young people have loads of energy and as the 176,000 16-24 year olds who have been Millennium Volunteers (MVs) show, many of them want to make a really positive contribution to their local communities.

But what if you don’t just want to dig up gardens and help local charity shops?
Volunteering really allows you to follow your passions and build on what you want to do. My passions are music and DJing - and I love to share this with as many people as possible.

I have volunteered my time in the past and feel that it is important to provide opportunities for others to do the same. It is a great feeling to make a difference to the lives of people around you - whilst at the same time gaining from the experience yourself.

Just look at Melissa, she has done a fantastic job, and thoroughly deserves to be named as MV of the Year. Through her passion for art she has earned the trust and respect of young people who are dealing with a range of issues - and because of her dedication and support they have really started to believe in themselves.

But do the volunteers get much out of it?
Volunteering gives young people the chance to develop really important skills that not only benefit the projects they are working with, but also add to their CV. You also get to meet loads of like-minded, cool people through MV – so what’s stopping you?

How can I get involved?
Check out www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk to find out more. Here you can find out who your local MV co-ordinator is, who will then set you up with a project you really want to get involved in – and then you just go from there!

Guide to starting a new job this summer

Starting a new job can be scary. There’s the stress of making friends, remembering where the loos are and keeping your cool with angry customers. But there are other things you need to think about when you start working that will help you stay safe, healthy and happy while you earn over the summer.

Who’s who?
Make sure you know who your supervisor is and how to find them if you have a question, or need to talk about something that’s bothering you. A survey of teentoday.co.uk visitors found out that over half of you didn’t have a supervisor at work, which is scary! You should always have someone you can turn to.

Ask questions
If you have a question about your job or where you work, then ask it! If you’d rather not talk to your supervisor, then speak to someone you work with who has enough experience to give you a straight answer.

Know what you’re doing
Whatever job you’re doing, you should be trained to do it safely. So before you start working, make sure you know exactly what you’re doing. And if you need more training, ask for it. Pay attention to what’s happening around you and watch out for safety signs or instructions.

Leave fashion at home
If you’re given a uniform or equipment to wear that will protect you as you do your job, make sure you wear it. High heels just aren’t practical if you’re on your feet all day, and your designer shades won’t help you see where you’re going in a dark storeroom. You may not look your best but you’re at work, not on a catwalk!

Take a break
Make sure you take the regular breaks you’re entitled to. If you’re working at a computer, you should give your eyes a rest every hour by doing something else, like filing, photocopying or reading some paperwork. And remember to drink plenty of water, especially if you’re working outside.

Keep an eye on yourself
You’re the best person to notice if you feel unwell because of the things you do at work, so pay attention. If you start getting back ache from carrying stuff around, or your skin starts to go blotchy after changing the toner in the printer, tell your supervisor about it. There are lots of things that can affect your health long after you finish working over the summer, so make sure you spot any problems while you still have time to fix them.

Got some advice to share? Go to wiseup2work.co.uk and check out the LinkUp forum.

TOP TIP! If you don’t feel safe doing something, then don’t do it. Tell your supervisor why you feel uncomfortable before doing something, not after!

Year 9 Options

The decisions you will have to make
The decisions you make in Year 9 are important because they control the next 2 years of your school life and can have consequences for what you go on to do after your GCSEs. In Year 9 you will have to decide which subjects you want to focus on in the next 2 years (Years 10 and 11). Some subjects are compulsory but others are for you to decide – your options. Because you are studying fewer subjects, the ones you choose can be studied in greater depth.

What’s your passion?
The subjects you are best at are normally the ones that you are passionate about. Think about the subjects you enjoy studying and why. Do they bring out your creative side, is it other languages or cultures that you love, or maybe you’re the sort of person who only feels safe whilst holding a calculator.. whatever your thing, choose subjects that inspire and motivate you.

Anything you can do…
Think about people you admire and why – is it Richard Branson for his business brain or maybe J K Rowling for her writing? Do you think you could give them a run for their money? Be nosy, talk to people and find out about what they studied and why? And if you’re wondering, Richard Branson left school at 15 – so you can show him how it’s done!

The future
Although the choices you make are very important don’t worry too much about the future. Many people at your age are unsure about what they want to do with their lives, so just remember to choose a balanced set of subjects you enjoy.

Totally confused?
If your brain is a muddle and you don’t know where to start, why not speak to the people that will be teaching you. They will let you know what the lessons involve and you’ll be able to see if it’s for you. Remember though, think about what’s best for you, not just what pleases your friends, family and teachers.

Outside the classroom
If the subjects on offer don’t inspire you or you want to try something different, remember there is lots you can do outside the classroom to meet new people, get experience and knowledge, socialise and, hopefully, find your calling. Why not volunteer, get active or look for work experience that fits around your spare time.

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