Music

Natasha Beddingfield (Singer/Songwriter): “It’s a great honour to be part of the vinspired National Awards this year. The work that the v volunteers do is inspirational and they should all be really proud to have been nominated for an award.”

Wretch 32(Musician/Rapper): “The vinspired national awards are a really positive way of celebrating young people’s achievements in volunteering and I’m really pleased to be involved. The work these young people do for others and for their local communities is incredible!”

Tinchy Stryder: “I think the vinspired national awards are a good thing and I am happy to be involved. The work the volunteers are doing to help their community is really positive.”

Tinchy Stryder launching nominations for the vinspired 2009 National Awards:

Gabriella Cilmi: "I am so proud to be part of the vinspired National Awards, the work that these young people do for other people is inspirational. If you know a local hero - someone who has been doing something special in the community and touched the lives of others – go on to vinspired.com and nominate them today.”

Shingai Shoniwa (The Noisettes): “I think what v is doing is amazing. Good on them – they’ve found 900,000 volunteer opportunities and they’re getting people to fill them. I think that’s pretty difficult in this day and age, and what I like about them is that they are supporting such a variety of projects, including the arts and festivals like vinspired Lake of Stars."

Bashy: “vinspired.com is just so innovative and positive. I wish the vinspired award scheme was about when I was still in school because I'd have been involved straight away."

Bashy running an MCing masterclass with vinspired volunteers:

 Tom Clarke (The Enemy): "Volunteering [with vinvolved project Trees for Cities] opened our eyes to the difference volunteers can make. It felt good. Just giving up a bit of our time opened our eyes to the difference volunteers can make to ordinary people’s lives.

Felix B (Basement Jaxx):“Volunteering makes you a broader, more interesting person who more people will want to know. Over and beyond that, you can actually have an effect on the world, get involved in interesting activities and, generally, just have a fuller life. In my opinion, I would encourage young people to have as many different experiences as they can through volunteering.”

Rob Da Bank (DJ on BBC Radio 1): "I think the work that vinspired are doing is spot on. I think the time is right in the UK for young people to be getting inspired by working with other people in all walks of life through volunteering. Ultimately this is all going to go towards making people more employable and more rounded individuals working towards eventually creating a better society."