The National Youth Agency: Gorton young people are making a difference in their community

Young people are partnered with adult mentors who support them through a six-month long diverse range of activities before they graduate in a prestigious ceremony.

The Gorton Reclaim project, run by Urbis to develop the city of Manchester, is one of the positive case studies featured in the latest issue of Vibes and Voices, The National Youth Agency's magazine celebrating minority ethnic people's voluntary action.

Elsewhere the magazine reports back on the first Young Muslims Advisory Group Dialogue Conference, billed as a unique opportunity for young people to engage with each other and offer solutions to key decision makers on the most pressing community issues. Reporter Angela Mulvehill said: "The thing that stayed with me beyond the conference was the sheer enthusiasm of the young people who attended. I found much evidence of inspiring young people who are leaders of change and who want to make a difference in their communities."

Vibes and Voices editor Merlynne Francique explores the lack of a concerted effort by organisations and practitioners to promote volunteering as one of the many options that are available to them. "The way in which volunteering is marketed to young people is crucial. If volunteering is to become a meaningful option for young people then it has to be marketed differently - expressing it in terms of a fair exchange. You give, but you also get," she said.

This issue also looks at intergenerational projects focusing on cultural heritage, Harrow's Ansar Youth Project, providing culturally sensitive youth work, and how volunteering brought stability for one homeless young women, alongside a roundup of news and research reports.

Vibes and Voices is available free of charge as part of The NYA's YouthAction publications package. Email Rita Kotecha on ritak@nya.org.uk for more information.

The Gorton Manifesto is a set of guidelines for the community written by the group. The manifesto includes the following:

- More facilities and activities in Gorton - Don't carry weapons or you'll get hurt yourself - Stop racism, it doesn't matter what colour you are, we should respect each other - Police to mix more with the community - Move your feet, clean up the streets - Speak up and respect the community - Don't let teamwork slip away - Put down your gun, don't upset a mum.