'PHILIP LAWRENCE WINNERS SHOW THE WAY FOR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP' - BLUNKETT

4 Dec 2001 07:15 AM

Winners of The Philip Lawrence Awards are an inspiration to all, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today at the 5th annual award ceremony.

This year''s winners include projects to promote racial harmony, an anti-bullying project, a support group for young homosexuals and projects to take people away from anti-social behaviour.

Speaking at the Cochrane Theatre in London with Frances Lawrence and Sir Trevor MacDonald, Mr. Blunkett said:

''I congratulate this year''s winners of The Phillip Lawrence Awards. They show the way for other young people to get involved in their communities.

''This coming autumn, citizenship education will be introduced in schools for the first time in our history. It will be all about preparing young people for the active citizenship which the winners of this year''s awards have so ably shown. Our communities will be stronger, better places to live if we are committed to them, and active within them.

''Only 40% of young people voted at the last election. Caring about the community in which you live is the first step towards participation in formal democracy. It''s about thinking globally, and acting locally.''

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Philip Lawrence was stabbed to death in 1995, when he intervened in a fight between pupils outside his school in Ealing.

2. The Philip Lawrence Awards were established in 1996 by the then Home Secretary Michael Howard.

3. A list of winners and their contact details is attached.

Philip Lawrence Awards 2001 Winners:

1. 20/20 Dance Group The dance group develops dance and social skills while providing a diversion from crime, drug taking, boredom and anti social behaviour. Also promotes racial harmony and cultural awareness in the wider community through integration and teamwork. The project shows off the talents of young people.

Address: Pauline Jackson Services Manager 20/20 Dance Group 128A Lancaster Road London W11 1QS 020 7598 4931 020 7598 4909 Pauline.Jackson@rbkc.gov.u

2. Anything but STR8 Young gay support and information project, challenging homophobia and lack of services and access to services for gay young people in Barking, Dagenham and Havering.

Address: David Perceval Anything but STR8 YouthZone 10 Hedley Close Romford Essex RM1 1AH 01708 768512 01708 741013 anythingbutstr8@hotmail.com

3. Connect A project dealing with bullying in school, assisting with the development of coping strategies and skills. The group organise a drop in centre and a peer listening service.

Address: Ita McNamara CONNECT Kingsbury High School Princes Ave London NW9 9JR 020 8204 9814 020 8206 3040 mn@kingsbury.brent.sch.u

4. DIY Collective Using music and arts activities this project tackles issues of community safety and anti social behaviour, such as substance abuse and vandalism, attempting to foster better community relations.

Address: Rachel Welford Co-ordinator DIY Collective Allatt House 5 West Parade Road Scarborough N Yorks YO12 5E

5. Holsworthy Seriously Senior Youth Group Project tackles issues of discrimination, teenage pregnancy and vandalism within their rural community.

Address: Anne Betts Senior Community Education Tutor Holsworthy Seriously Senior Youth Group C/o Holsworthy Community College Victoria Hill Holsworthy EX22 6JD 01409 254505 01409 253121 holcommed@dial.devon-gov.uk

6. Lydney State Circus , Who wants to be a Bullionaire? Project An anti-bullying initiative addressing the issues in a lively and entertaining performance. Also provides young people 11-18 with the opportunity to develop circus and performance skills.

Address: Chris Walsh Youth Worker Lydney State Circus Lydney Community Centre Naas Lane Lydney Glos GL15 5AT 01594 842256 holcommed@dial.devon-gov.u

7. Nothing Serious This group produced a video documenting the experiences of racism in Brighton & Hove schools.

Address: Vanessa Crawford Youth & Community Worker Sahara Video Group C/o Young People''s Centre 69 Ship Street Brighton BN1 1AE 01273 293632 centralbrighton@talk21.co

8. Peckham Young People''s Magazine Project The magazine provides an exciting way for young people to contribute to their environment giving them a voice and means to counter the negative portrayal of their community and to address issues of relevance to young people in Peckham.

Address: John Shepherd Peckham Young People''s Magazine Project 161 Sumner Road London SE15 6JL 020 7708 1738