Connected Generation 2010; Working with young people in a digital age

Friday 7th May 10am-4.30pm – Bristol Watershed One day conference for managers and practitioner is packed full of expert input; practical workshops; and opportunities to network and discuss with colleagues; all focussed on how professionals and volunteers working with young people can respond to the fundamental role of digital technologies and... Read More

New training dates 1 day Social Media & Social Networking course for Youth Professionals

Social media can amplify the positives and negatives of everyday life for young people, and can expose them to new opportunities and new risks. There are undoubtedly both positive and negative aspects to social media – but whatever our views – Youth Professionals need to understand the online activities and... Read More

Social Media & Social Network Training

Social Media & Social Networking: Exploration day for Afasic http://www.afasic.org.uk/ Afasic seeks to raise awareness and to create better services and provision for children and young people with speech and language impairments. It works in partnership with local and national government, professional and statutory bodies and other voluntary organisations. Tim Davies and I co-delivered... Read More

Where to Start?

One step @ a time….I have had numerous conversations with youth practitioners who have expressed frustration about the resistance and lack of interest from colleagues/local authority. Other professionals have expressed interest but feel overwhelmed about how and/or what level of ‘online engagement’ to start with and where to aim towards. During... Read More

Online pornography and young people

This blog discusses topics of a sexual nature which some people may find offensive. I have been explicit about the subject matter to prevent ambiguity. I intend no offense, but want to be clear and explicit before you read the blog. One of the areas I am currently exploring is how... Read More

Social Media Training for Youth Professionals

For the last 2 years I have been researching and developing methodologies and polices in the practical application of online social media platforms to gain the views of vulnerable young people. I have successfully engaged and enabled young people to express their views online and participate with local decision makers... Read More

Social Media Youth Participation in Local Democracy

Author Edited by Jasmine Ali, LGiU and Tim Davies, Practical Participation Date published 05/11/2009 ISBN 978 1 903731 90 1 Price to members £10 Price to non-members £10 Summary This practical guide aims to help councils understand and ultimately harness the power of social media as an important tool for engaging young people in democratic activity. In 2009 the LGiU’s Children’s Services... Read More

Interpreting online dialogue/content between young people and practitioners

Social media can enable the voluntary engagement of young people. Young people can decided if they want to engage and contribute. There is no obligation and there is the removal of the pressure to appease adult(s). I have a concern however, about the possiblemisinterpretation and over reaction by adults to young person(s) ‘written’... Read More

“Signposting” young people online to informative webpages and helplines

There are some good young person specific informative webpages online; substance misuse, cyber bullying, sexual health, mental health and housing support etc offering a variety of services such as freephone calls for advice and support or 24 hr helplines, short film clips that clearly explain what the provision provides and what to expect if... Read More

Social Reporting…

What’s that all about? Hold onto to your seat, this is where digital media and ‘honest/raw’ feedback from young people/public can take place. For an insight and introduction you need to go check out: David Wilcox’s informative blog on social reporting – well worth a read. Another good guide onsocial reporting by White... Read More