Joined Up youth project shows UK design at its best

In response to your piece on the Joined Up Design for My Place initiative (News, DW 29 October), I’d like to stress that those who volunteered to work on it did so for nothing more than a small honorarium. Some refused to accept payment and one even wrote a cheque for £5000 for his young client.

They all donated a huge amount of time, created brilliant concepts and engaged wholeheartedly with their young clients. We were overwhelmed by their generosity and readiness to go beyond what was expected. They have now handed over their concepts to the local authorities and third-sector organisations bidding for the funding from Big Lottery Fund – and hopefully their input will lead to positive funding results.

It says a lot about the UK’s design community that so many were prepared to give so much for a good cause during a recession. They have had a significant impact on the lives of young people from different backgrounds and we thank them most sincerely.
Will Sorrell, Programme leader, Joined Up Design for My Place, by e-mail