‘Team UK Youth Voice’ took part in the 2012 Young Games Maker Selection event at the 2012 Head Office at Canary Wharf, London. The successful members of UK Youth Voice will now volunteer as the Technology team for the Aquatics event at the Paralympic Games.

Led by the Chair of UK Youth Voice, Rachel Aston, the team members – Ricky Williamson, Sophy Ansell, Lulu Fundi and Sarah Jinodu – were challenged to complete two tasks designed to demonstrate their skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving and working together. The team was supported by UK Youth’s E-Participation Officer, Claire Dever.

Team work

Ricky enjoyed the challenge: “One of the team tasks was planning and performing an advert that promoted one of the sports. We picked gymnastics and created and performed a rap – so our ‘ad’ looked a bit like a music video. I think it was well put together and highlighted a lot of our skills in just a short space of time.”

Rachel: “I was proud of the way that the group worked together during the team tasks and I think we impressed the assessors. Claire and I had a separate interview, it was gruelling, with lots of tricky questions, but we had a lot to say about UK Youth's work. We were able to give lots of examples of how UK Youth Voice works to give young people a voice and access to wider opportunities.”

Once in a lifetime opportunity

The young people were delighted when they heard the news that they had been successful.

Ricky said, “Young Games Makers in the Technology team are responsible for getting score sheets and reports to where they need to be in a short space of time. This is a fantastic opportunity to take part in a worldwide event - and to learn more about the sports involved as well as the culture of different countries.

Rachel added "I'm so excited that we have been selected to be Olympic Games Makers, we are going to be right in the heart of the action at the Para-Olympics! It is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity! I Can't wait!"

UK Youth's Chief Executive said "This is amazing news, we are proud of the hard work UK Youth Voice have put into this process.  We hope that the thousands of young Olympic Games Makers raise the profile of all the postitive things young people do."

UK Youth Voice will hold their annual youth conference “Connected: A Digital Age” on July 13-15 at UK Youth’s headquarters at Avon Tyrrell. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

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