Envision

David Gordon, Chair

I am the GAP Chair. I am currently in my second year at Queen Mary University and studying Journalism and Contemporary History.

I really enjoyed my Envision campaign in Sixth Form and the GAP is a great way for me to stay involved and help enhance the Envision experience for others.

I'm looking forward to working with the current GAP members and helping to make Envision the best it can be. We on the GAP want to get the Grads more involved so that young people can continue to make a positive change.

Saima Waqar, Deputy Chair

The great thing about being on the GAP is the continuation of making a difference whether big or small. I wanted to help and continue being actively involved with Envision because of the great opportunities they offered me last year.

Envision is an organisation that brings out the inner self of a person. It gives EVERYONE an opportunity to get involved in various ways. So whether you're quiet or loud, your contribution is valued and you continue to make a difference. The fact that your voice is always heard and your opinions are counted and valued is something that is really important to me.

Neil Bowerman, Governance

At the moment I'm studying for a PhD in the science of Climate Change and I'm also on the UK Youth Climate Coalition's delegation to the Cpoenhagen Climate Change Conference in December, which is very exciting!

 It was with Envision that I ran my first campaign, threw my first fundraiser, led my first assembly and I got to meet like-minded people - all of which fuelled a new interest  in climate change.

Envision is one of those brilliant ideas that everyone wishes they had had! It's ideas like Envision that can transform a generation. I know because I'm one of the people that Envision transformed.

Before I met Envision I was planning on becoming a computer game designer but once Envision gave me a taste of that feeling that you get when you know you've made a difference, I just wanted more! 

Rowenna Davis, Media Liaison

I started off as an Envision guinea pig. When the wacky, inspirational founders of the organisation came into my school to launch their pilot project, I couldn't help but raise an intrigued eyebrow. I soon fell in love with the Envision model.

When I left university I became an Envision facilitator, working with my own group of students at a local school, whilst keeping an eye on the organisation's bubbling and enthusiastic emails.

I joined GAP beacuse I want to see more young people being given the space to create change outside of the more rigid, controlling structures that are often imposed by schools. Now a full-time journalist, I hope to use my position on the GAP to raise awareness about the Envision model and make sure its quality and values are kept sky-high as it continues to expand. 

Tim Brazier, Communications

I am in Upper sixth form at a Birmingham school, looking to go to university next year to study environmental science. I am captain of my school hockey team and also play for a club outside of school.

I wanted to join the GAP because I wanted to give something back to the organisation that had given me such great opportunities the year before. Through the GAP i not only want to help Envision but also the thousands of future 'Envisioners'.

I believe Envision to be one of the great organisations in Britain that genuinely takes on the values and opinions of all young people, not just those in the GAP, but everyone involved with Envision.

Benedict Hardy, Social Media

I live in Birmingham and I'm 17. I've always wanted to get involved in volunteer work and do something positive, but nobody's ever been able to give me the push I needed to get around to it. I'm not quite sure what it is that set Envision apart for me, but it's probably either the relaxed and easy to use Grad Programme or the infectious enthusiasm of every Envision staff member.

In all honesty, I didn't realise just how much I was going to love being on the GAP before I was actually there and working with these inspiring people. Planning things as part of a group, like how big Envision’s 10th Birthday cake will be (no really!) and basically the experience of working at the heart of an organisation.  Any employer is bound to be impressed, and when I subtly flash my Envision t-shirt, and inform them that a cup of coffee uses 200 litres of water to produce, I'll clearly get any job I want!

Nadine Da Silva

My name is Nadine and I don't like margarine. I am 17 and I love my spleen. As you can see, I have a bone dry sense of humour! Hi five to anyone who laughed at that little poem.

When I first emailed about the GAP opportunity, I literally JUMPED at the chance to be part of the GAP team! I wanted to join mainly because I truly enjoyed being part of Envision at my Sixth Form and I had heard that the GAP team was THE place to be after I became an Envision graduate.

One of the best decisions I made last year was to give up a TINY portion of my time to join an Envision School Team. Envision in one up-and-coming organisation and I know someday it will be massive. I hope that I can leave the GAP panel with an increased knowledge of the workings of Envision and also learn some organisational tips myself!!

Lets make a CHANGE!!

Liam Murphey, Welfare Officer

I'm in year 13 studying A Levels in English Lit, History and Geography. I like music, going out with my friends and doing fun projects with Envision! I joined because I was intrigued to find out about what differences I could make on both a local and global level with projects that I was interested in. 

During my time on the GAP I hope to give my own thoughts on what I think works, and how I feel Envision could improve and get even better! Envision for me is a fantastic way to spend time really making a difference on projects that mean something to me with like minded people.

Dane Ellis, Film Co-ordinator

 I like to consider myself to be fairly intellectual, charming and very passionate about a lot of issues where design and aeroplanes are concerned. I am a Civilian instructor in the Air Cadets and in true sustainable development fashion I'm teaching what I learnt as an Air cadet.

Envision has played a major part in my life and has helped shaped my development as a person and professional. To be able to advise a company which plays such significant role in my life and the lives of other young people around the country, gives me great pleasure to know I am doing something worthwhile, continuously challenging myself and being able to continue to make a difference.  As a member of the GAP, I work in the best interest of Envision and ensure that the young people lie at the heart of the company's focus. 

Envision is truly inspirational and in all my 6 years association with the company I've never been bored and even if I were to go away for a very long time I will no doubt come back. I believe what keeps Envision going is the heart, hard work, and passion about the environment and the young people. 

Jack Herlihy, Film Co-ordinator

I am just a normal chap who likes making a difference in my own wierd ways, I completely love music, playing piano and guitar and writing songs. When not playing music I spend the rest of my time doing some acting, wherever I can stuck in, and oh yeah, nearly forgot that I go to 6th Form College and do A-Levels which is obviously exciting!

My reasons for joining the GAP were pretty simply. Alongside wanting to make more of a difference with Envision, it gave me the chance to really influence the way other young people think and the way they view Envision and most importantly to try and promote Envision to a wider audience.

Envision is not just a charity, it is a movement for young people to finally get their say! With this in mind I think Envision is truly unique and brilliant. It senses opportunity and really exhibits it. Envision takes people from areas where there's no volunteer commitment from local sources and gives them a chance to volunteer and make a difference - I myself being one.

Ana Muresan

I'm doing my last year of A-Levels and hoping to do an Economic degree to help me towards being an active part of the re-thinking of how to rectify issues such as poverty, climate change and other global problems that one individual or nation cannot fix on their own. I also love singing, photography, travelling and meeting people that are passionate and enthusiastic about making a positive change - whatever that change might be!

I really like Envision and think they are inspiring. I really want to continue being involved with them and finding a way to help them further since they have such a positive influence. So I decided to be a mentor at my school for this academic year and I applied to join the GAP. 

I admire Envision. It's great for young people that want to make a difference to have someone to turn to for help and advice on how to do so. Furthermore, having a whole organisation believing that you as a young person really have the power to change something motivates you even further.