On Thursday 8th September 2016, three of the \u201cIGNITE\u201d team, Jenny Hodson, Victoria Russell and Helen Pickett, headed down to London to attend their first ‘ThinkBig’ ‘Ultimate Networker\u2019 event at the O2 Arena. Young people from across the UK were in attendance at the event which included a talk from Bella Rareworld, also known as Bella, \u2018The Networking Guru\u2019. Bella delivered a talk about the importance of networking and how it creates opportunities for young people to achieve their goals and ambitions. The event also documented the inspiring work being carried out by some of the amazing young people who are involved in the O2 \u2018ThinkBig\u2019 programme.<\/p>\n
The story of 17-year-old Chloe Hine was particularly poignant. Three years ago, at the age of just 14, Chloe attempted to take her own life after suffering from the relentless taunts of school bullies, who shes says,\u00a0 made her life \u201cmiserable\u201d. Chloe was left feeling isolated and \u201cterrified\u201d to go to school as a result of the bullying that took place online as well as inside the school gates. Thankfully, Chloe\u2019s attempt to end her life was unsuccessful, and it was here, when she was at her lowest ebb, that she discovered her passion and talent for writing music. Realising how much music and song writing helped her cope with her feelings of sadness, Chloe set out to help other young people who were going through something similar. From this she went on to successfully apply for a \u00a3300 grant from O2 \u2018ThinkBig\u2019 to launch her own campaign called \u2018Beat The Bullies\u2019. She said: \u201cI found that songwriting is so therapeutic because music is so powerful. \u2018When I found out that it works as well as it did to get to the stage I am at now, I couldn\u2019t keep it to myself\u201d.<\/p>\n
Today, \u2018Beat The Bullies\u2019 is a national charity that works with children and young people to help them turn their worries into something postitive and allows them to express their feelings through the theraputic power of music. Over the course of her ‘ThinkBig’ journey, Chloe has worked with the Music Fusion recording studio in Havant to produce her own rap music under her alter ego Karrera, who has since performed at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2\u2019s indigo venue. Through her courage, hardwork and with the support of her family, Chloe has come out the other side and created a lifeline for young children and young people who are suffering emotionally. She is now an Alumni for O2 \u2018ThinkBig\u2019 and ‘ThinkBig’ Champion.<\/p>\n
On the day the VANEL team, Jenny, Victoria and Helen took on the exciting challenge of climbing across the roof of the O2 Arena, 52 metres above the ground. The climb provided the tean with a beautiful and alternative perspective of the city and\u00a0 proved to be an excellent way of celebrating VANEL\u2019s new status of Youth Partner with O2 ThinkBig.<\/p>\n
L-R Victoria Russell, Jenny Hodson and Helen Pickett, Up at The O2.<\/p>\n If you are aged between 13 and 25-years-old and would like more information on how you can get involved and apply for funding from O2 ‘ThinkBig’, talk to VANEL.<\/p>\n Contact Jenny Hodson:\u00a0 Jenny@VANEL.org.uk<\/p>\n Call (01472) 315 437.<\/p>\n For more information about ‘Beat The Bullies Click here.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"jenny-helen-victoria-o2\"](\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/jenny-helen-victoria-o2-300x300.jpg\")
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