Teens awarded for their vinspiration

AWARD winning . . . the Changing Faces group, back from left, Alexandra Finn, Jordan Allcock, Karl Cockram, Mohammed Ahmed and Michael Gittens. Middle row from left, Joe Fairbrother, Emily Herd, Rachel Smith, and front from left, Afshan Lodhi, Nathan Croucher and James Milligan

TWO Oldham teenagers have scooped an award for helping a police watchdog in the fight against terrorism.

Karl Cockram (19), from Chadderton, and Michael Gittens (17), of Waterhead, are part of a group which has received a Vinspired award.

Vinspired is a national charity which celebrates and recognises the contribution people aged 16 to 25 make to their communities through volunteering.

Karl and Michael are both involved in a project led by Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) which is aimed at supporting the Government’s national strategy to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

Ten categories make up the Vinspired awards and the Greater Manchester group, which has 11 members, was a regional winner of the Bridge Award for community cohesion.

The group, called Changing Faces, attended a glittering awards ceremony in London to collect the regional title.

Karl said: “We’re all over the moon. Everyone’s worked really hard over the past 12 months and it’s great to get this type of recognition.”

Michael added: “Lots of young people volunteer and get involved in community projects. I think it’s really good to have a scheme which highlights and rewards that contribution.”

The Changing Faces members were recruited by GMPA last year as part of an 18-month consultation and engagement project. The project has a number of elements and the area the young people are focusing on involves the creation of a DVD educational resource for use in schools, youth groups and other community settings.

It will be used to promote and create discussion on the impact of identity, culture, religion and extremism on specific communities.

All areas of the DVD production are being delivered by the teenagers and they have received training in filming, puppet skills, interviewing and editing.

The DVD will be launched soon and it’s hoped the work that has gone into it will earn the group members an award from the Arts Council.

Other elements of the GMPA counter-terrorism project include consultation events with community groups including women, businesses and multi-faith groups.

All the information gathered during the project will be captured in a report highlighting the key issues affecting local communities and recommendations on how communities can work together to prevent violent extremism.