Philip Lawrence Awards Network

Challenging negative perceptions and transforming local public opinion of young people into something positive. SW!TCH ID tackle local issues, engage the community and organise activities such as litterpicking flashmobs, a community art show and family fun days.

Who we are

70 young people based at LifeLine Community Projects.

Where we're based

Dagenham

When we started

January 2009

How we started

SW!TCH ID began when a group of teenagers decided they were fed up of being seen as trouble makers. The project began with a 68-strong flashmob of young people went out litter picking and speaking to residents about their opinions of young people and the community.

Our work

SW!TCH ID has developed into a large scale campaign to change perceptions and raise young people to lead in their communities, and now includes weekly training sessions for the young people involved.

A core team of six young people aged 16 to 19 organise the events and training, and all the young volunteers play a part in planning and running campaigns.

Activities have included fundays, flashmobs, fundraising carwash and big SW!TCHmas event, all involving the local community. The young people also ran a campaign to make the local park safer, and worked hard to fight voter apathy at the last election to help prevent the BNP winning.

The most recent event was a community art project, which brought people together to celebrate the things they love about Dagenham.

SW!TCH ID has brought the local community together in a new way, developed the confidence and skills of the young people involved, and has shown people that young people contribute a great deal to the community.

Future plans

We've got lots of ideas in store for events to impact and develop the local community.

SW!TCH ID has helped me by providing a way for me to make a positive contribution to society and change my local community for the better.

Michael, 18