Hi, my name is Anna and I live in north Hertfordshire. I am currently studying a BTEC national diploma in performing arts with Chickenshed theatre.

When I was 11 I joined my local youth council and through this became involved with many other projects for young people locally and county-wide. I enjoy all aspects of performing arts but favour musical theatre. I can be quite random at times, for example I have often wondered whether insects have emotions. As young people I believe we have the voices to change our future in a positive way.

The name is Darwin Bernardo, I’m much more than the hair and the great smile.

I started off in a student council organising community evens to promote unity, eventually joining ‘Kidscount’, a think-tank working with grassroots organisations as well as Parliament. This lead to the creation of “Nutmeg”, an organisation which works at bringing together young people from different communities to unite in peace in one community area. Other than that, I’m a student studying for a business management and marketing degree at university and looking pretty good while doing it, if I do say so myself.

My name is Ellie and I’m just finishing my A levels.

From September I will be doing a Foundation course in Art and Design in Manchester. I love all things creative and long to travel the world. I started volunteering a year and half ago with refugee and asylum seekers. I am involved in a mentoring project for refugees going through education, and from this I have become very passionate about empowering young people. I believe you should make the most of every opportunity, which is why I want to be part of the Youth Leadership Team!

Hi, my name is Elly Boulboul and I am a creative, positive and lively 22 year-old.

I am about to finish my 3-year degree in Graphic Design at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth. I am excited about applying the skills I have learnt to the Big Challenge. I seek to understand how things work and I enjoy consolidating problems; this is partly what led me to become a designer. Much of my work has a social theme, dealing with issues and how design can help. This interest is what led me to apply for the Youth Leadership Team.

Hi! My name’s Emily, I’m 20, and I am currently studying Early Childhood Education Studies at Birmingham City University.

I volunteer within a number of sexual health services in Coventry, and am going to Japan in August to represent young people in Coventry at the International Youth Conference for Peace for the Future 2009. I am passionate about giving young people a voice, and the support to enable them to put their ideas into practise in both their immediate and extended communities.

I’m 19 and from the north of Scotland.

At the moment I am studying Politics and Social Policy at the University of Stirling. I have been involved in youth participation since the age of 13. My biggest achievements to date are becoming the First Highland Youth Convener at the age of 17 and being selected to be the UK's Youth Ambassador for the Middle East. I am a solo Skydiver most weekends and in the future I hope to work in International Relations.

I am currently studying Politics, Theology, Med-evil history and Theatre studies at Sixth Form.

I’ve been on the Herefordshire Youth Council for 3 years, the Herefordshire Youth Opportunity Fund for 2 years and was on the UK Youth Parliament for a year. I do a lot in my local community to ensure that young people get the voice that they deserve. I have also been on a ‘PLAY’ partnership board that deals with financial management for young peoples’ activities in Herefordshire. This is an opportunity to take my expertise to another level.

I’m 22, from Edinburgh in Scotland and looking forward to working with everyone and getting involved in some exciting projects.

I am studying film and media and work with a number of local community projects, including radio lollipop. I also work as a paired reader at a local school. Over the last 10 years I have worked on equality issues for young people: with Oxfam, Scottish Youth Parliament, Roars not Whispers and am the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People. I’m really looking forward to raising the profile of young people’s projects from all across the UK.

Howdy folks; I go by the name of Liam Hannan.

As a result of a fall-out with some teachers over the school council I dedicated my time to building a system of Youth Democracy where young people really did set the agenda and influence the decisions; and achieved it with no small amount of help from an innumerable group of friends. Together we showed hundreds of young people what grassroots activism can achieve!

Hi, my name’s Liv and I’ve just finished studying Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge.

I’m taking a gap year before I start doing some development work in Africa, and instead of doing the whole travelling thing, I thought I’d get involved in some community work in the UK. Currently I’m based in Exeter, where I help out with an amazing youth-led organisation called The Ivy Project. I’m hoping that by being part of the Big Challenge YLT I’ll get to meet loads more inspiring young people who are also passionate about changing their worlds for the better.

I’ve graduated in Events Management and Marketing and have now set up my own events company (Student Events UK) organising events for the young community.

I enjoy going out and meeting new people but love making a change! My hobbies include travelling, football, eating and networking! One of my goals in life is to succeed with my business and provide opportunities for others. Being on the board of the YLT I can help young people to put their ideas into reality; mentor and support youth; learn skills and pass them on to others; socialise and meet new people.

Hey, call me Miffy! I'm a 20 year-old business owner and a care leaver from North London.

I am a Network Marketer in the Telecoms industry; I love meeting new people and hearing their dreams, how i can help - especially help people save money on phone bills.

I actually stumbled on this whole Big Challenge opportunity by accident.

I’ve been working as a volunteer for a local youth club and now find I can nationally promote Birmingham’s way of focusing on the youths out there. I believe volunteering is key to promoting the fundamentals of ‘Every Child Matters’. All I can say is I’ve had the best time doing youth work and every project lets you re-live it. Miss it, miss out.

I’m currently on a Gap Year placement with the Bank of England after which I will study Economics and Mathematics at the University of Bristol.

I first started volunteering at the age of 15 and the wonderful experiences I have had through the years motivated me to join the Big Challenge as I believe it is always important to contribute to a cause you believe in. I am very much looking forward to working with the rest of the Youth Leadership Team in inspiring even more young people to stand up and take the lead in our society.

Londoner, teenager and a guy….

Taking a bit of the stereotypical media-echoed view, I’m apparently also a monstrous gun-carrying, knife-wielding being ….but I’d like to think young people are contrary to the claim - delightful. (I would also like to think I tend to be in the latter group!). I am excited to be part of the Big Challenge project as it is an opportunity to act on improving social issues with other young people in a youth-led setting, demonstrating that we aren’t apathetic, but the leaders of the future and today in meeting the societies’ challenges!

Hello I'm Sarah :-) I currently work for TimeBank on their youth project, Junction49.co.uk, supporting young people to turn their ideas for making a difference in their communities into reality.

Prior to this I studied History and International Relations at Exeter University, graduating last summer. Whilst at university I got involved in various voluntary activities, which included running a weekly children's project and organising a summer residential for 60 young carers.

From London, I’m studying for a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and Design.

I have completed my BEng in the same subject. I come from a varying background that has made me passionate for social change. I have recently become involved in Service Design and Design Thinking as an approach to resolving some of our social problems. This stems from an interest in Social Entrepreneurship and demonstrating that through social gain there can be a commercial benefit. I am looking forward to seeing the positive effect of the Big Challenge on our communities and pushing it forward.

I’m 23 years old and work full-time at a London-based public relations consultancy.

After graduating in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Warwick, I spent a year as a Sabbatical Officer at Warwick Students’ Union, representing the union’s members, encouraging them to get involved in the democratic process and working on finance and charity governance issues. Recently, I have run my own social enterprise project – funded by UnLtd – making a film for young drivers, encouraging them to drive more economically and safely. I’m looking forward to working with everyone to support this year’s Big Challenge winners!

Hi all, My name is Vanessa and I am a social entrepreneur, a motivational speaker, and a graduate with a Business and Law Degree.

I am inspired by and like to meet people who are role models and leaders; by people who have flourished and reached their potential in the midst of their hardships.