education
Are social media companies ‘failing young people’ on cyberbullying?
Social media companies’ failure to tackle cyberbullying is putting the mental health of children and young people at risk, warns an inquiry from MPs and leading children’s charities.
Worryingly for parents, almost two thirds of (63%) of young people surveyed by the enquiry who had been cyberbullied said that they would not tell their parents if they experienced something upsetting online.
So, what can we do about it?
Cyberbullying takes many forms; persistent unwanted messaging, threats, sharing embarrassing photos. The report highlights the addictive nature of social media: one in ten (9%) young people surveyed admitted logging on after midnight every night and one young person said it was “almost like a drug”. Young people giving evidence to the inquiry described feeling judged and inadequate if they didn’t have enough likes or followers.
Young people who are the heaviest users of social media in all its forms are most likely to have low well-being and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Links between self-harm, suicide and cyberbullying have already been established by academics. Currently there are no rules requiring social media to protect young people from cyberbullying.
There are calls for social media companies and government to act, working together to resolve these issues. Parents have a role to play, raising awareness of online dangers and knowing what/who children are connecting with online. Perhaps most importantly knowing there are many ways of getting help to get the cyber bullying to stop. The following links can help;
respectme, support for Services
Childline telephone support for children and young people.
A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People
Parentline a national, confidential helpline providing advice for parents
Cyberbullying – Safe to Learn: Embedding anti-bullying work in schools.
Work experience – Love It or Loath It?
New research of UK teenagers has revealed that an overwhelming majority (83%) would like work experience to be made a compulsory part of the school curriculum.
The research by the Career Colleges Trust also found that more than two thirds (67%) of today’s teenagers believe work experience is beneficial for finding employment, seeing what working in a certain sector is like (63%) and more than half (56%) believe it allows you to learn valuable skills that are not taught in the classroom.
Today in Scotland, the work experience concept remains in place and there is an expectation that all pupils will have the opportunity to participate. For most mainstream secondary schools this takes the form of a one week work placement organised during a pupil’s 4th year.
So why is work experience such a good thing?
ONE…
In at number one: young people are more likely to be successful in their job hunt if they have done some good work experience. Fact.
Want some evidence? Well, over half of the graduate recruiters that took part in a recent research study by Highfliers said that, “graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.”
TWO…
If you haven’t got a clue what career you want to do, work experience is a perfect way to sample all the career options out there. It’s a way of exploring different jobs without actually committing to anything. You can dip your toe in the water without taking the full plunge.
THREE…
It’s the best way to get a real sense of your chosen industry. You’ll get to speak to employees and ask them questions. You won’t know what it’s like until you get closer to the action.
FOUR…
Doing work experience shows passion and interest. Evidence that you have done work experience shows the employer that you are motivated to get into a chosen career and that you’ve done your homework.
FIVE…
If you’re floundering about and frankly aren’t that bothered about your career, work experience might just be the kick up the backside you need. If you do a variety of different work placements, you might find something you are passionate about and get motivated.
SIX…
Work experience gently introduces you to the world of work. You get to learn the dos and don’ts, get work place savvy and learn to navigate your way through the jungle of office politics. Vitally, it’ll give you an idea of the skills you might need to thrive in the workplace.
SEVEN…
It’ll help you identify your own skills and perhaps even highlight the areas that you might want to work on.
EIGHT…
You might wow them so much that you’ll manage to wrangle yourself a job!
NINE…
It’s all about networking. It’ll help you build up contacts and, you never know, they might even give you a heads up about a future job or recommend you to another company.
TEN…
And yes, work experience does give you something to put on your CV!
Are you a Fearless Femme?
A new grassroots movement to challenge sexism, reduce mental health stigma, and save the lives of young women across the world has kicked off in Scotland.
Young women are the highest-risk group for mental illness in the UK. Research estimates 46% of young women between 11 and 21 years old have sought out treatment for mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
Research has shown that psychological distress amongst young women is linked to the growing pressures that this group faces: pressures to look beautiful and thin in an age of ‘airbrushing’; social media pressures; stress at school and university; and an increase in sexual harassment. Very often, these pressures lead to low self-esteem and body image problems, with evidence suggesting that young girls start to worry about their body image from the age of 11.
Existing magazines targeting young women can compound these problems with picture perfect models gracing every page. Fearless Femme sets about challenging these cultural norms by empowering young women to overcome stress and other mental health challenges through its new online magazine and growing community of ‘rebelles’, as well as its research and campaigns for policy change.
Want to know more? Fearless Femme can be found at https://www.fearlessfemme.co.uk/our-story/
YOYP 2018
Year of Young People 2018 is an opportunity for generations to come together and celebrate our nation’s young people.
It is a platform for our young people (8 to 26). It will give them a stronger voice on issues which affect their lives, showcase their ideas and talents, and ultimately, aim to challenge status quo and create a more positive perception of them in society.
Young people’s voices have been at the heart of the Year, since planning started in 2015. After leading an in-depth consultation with hundreds of their peers, they made recommendations on what the top priorities and goals should be.
To take forward these ideas, a group of 35 young people, Communic18, was created. Their role is to influence how the Year will be run, while ensuring young people’s voices are heard and acted upon. In addition, there are more than 500 Ambassadors, who are promoting local activities and creating opportunities in their communities to challenge negative stereotypes of young people.
Activity for the Year is based around six key themes, which were developed by young people and will guide everything done:
Culture
Share and celebrate young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
Education
Allow young people to have more say in their education and learning.
Enterprise and regeneration
Celebrate young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live.
Equality and discrimination
Recognise the positive impact of young people in Scotland and encourage them to take the lead in challenging all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
Health and wellbeing
Make sure young people have the chance to lead healthy, active lives and understand the importance of mental health and resilience.
Participation
Give young people the chance to influence decisions that affect their lives
Over the next few weeks K & M Communities will look at issues affecting young people today, we hope you enjoy.
Want to get involved or know more, visit http://yoyp2018.scot/
Community libraries
The town of Chapelton recently welcomed its first community library just in time for National Storytelling Week 2018.
The books, which will be located in a quiet corner of the popular Teacake Café, will act as a community library corner, or a book swap, where it is hoped residents of all ages will be able to swap, read and discuss some of their favourite books and stories. So why libraries are so important in today’s digital world?
Many people believe libraries to be a thing of the past due to the digital revolution and the rise of a gadget enamoured society. However,
“The National Literacy Trust says that children who go to a library are twice as likely as those who don’t to read well. It is not just picking up a book. It is the social experience of reading, talking about the books, browsing, comparing what you have read with family and friends. Librarians are gate keepers in that process. They open doors to new worlds, new possibilities. They ask library visitors to evaluate the information on offer. Most importantly, they give access to narratives. Children and adults do not just need information to thrive as thinking beings, but stories. Libraries are the temple of story. They are not in decline because of some natural, historic progression, but because of the monstrous cultural vandalism of savage cost-cutting. We will pay a terrible price for the behaviour of our masters.” (Alan Gibbons)
Libraries are seen by many as a lifeline and a crucial public service, especially if you are elderly, socially isolated, poor, vulnerable, or all of the above.
So why are libraries so important and why must we protect and improve them?
- They’re accessible
The obvious advantage of having a local library is that it is local. Accessibility is crucial if you have mobility problems and/or haven’t got the money for bus fare.
- They help to bridge the digital divide
People in rural areas face significant challenges when it comes to IT access, including infrastructure problems and set-up costs. The vast majority of public libraries offer free IT access and basic IT training to the public.
- They help to combat social isolation
Libraries are social places where people can chat, read and keep in touch with the outside world. For elderly people who can’t access a static library, mobile and housebound services can fill the gap. Sometimes a friendly smile from a library worker can make all the difference to an isolated and vulnerable persons day or week.
According to C.S. Lewis “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me”. So next time you’re in Chapelton pay a visit to the Teacake Café and sample what both have to offer.
U3A (The University of the Third Age)
…is a UK-wide movement which brings together people in their ‘third age’ to develop their interests and continue their learning in a friendly and informal environment.
If you’re wondering what we mean by the third age – it is a time after you have finished working full-time or raising your family and have time to pursue your interests or just try something new.
As you get older, keeping your mind active and healthy can become a big challenge, but it’s well documented that keeping your mind active has a direct impact on physical health too.U3A has a ‘university’ of members who draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other but there are no qualifications to pass – it is just for pleasure. Learning is its own reward.
It’s all voluntary; a typical U3A will be home to many activity groups covering hundreds of different subjects – from art to zoology and everything in between.
Formed over 30 years ago, there are now over 1,000 U3As across the UK, with thousands of interest groups between them and more than 400,000 members nationally – plus it’s growing every day.
Want to join, click here https://www.u3a.org.uk/find
Under Pressure – Preventing Abuse & Exploitation in Teen Relationships
Dates: Friday – 9th June or Wednesday – 1st November 2017
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Venue: The Citadel
A Train the Trainer Programme from Zero Tolerance in association with YouthLink Scotland
Under Pressure is a free train the trainer programme aiming to increase the skills and capacity of youth work staff to prevent abuse and exploitation in teen relationships. This free training has been developed in partnership between Zero Tolerance and YouthLink Scotland, and will be delivered by Jackie Williams, NHS Sexual Health Trainer and Lynn Buchan, Senior Community Learning Development Worker.
We aim to deliver the Under Pressure training with staff working with young people, and ultimately work to prevent abuse and exploitation.
We welcome bookings from those who –
- Have experience of working with young people.
- Have a commitment to ending gender inequality and violence against women.
Trainers will receive:
- Specialist training on issues to do with abuse and exploitation in young people’s relationships from a lead organisation in violence against women.
- Under Pressure training resources for use with members of staff and young people to help prevent sexual exploitation.
- Under Pressure Certification.
This training is an excellent opportunity to roll out a high quality course for your staff team and learning community, obtain a great set of resources for tackling abuse and exploitation in young people’s relationships in informal education, and make a real difference in the lives of the young people you work with.
To apply please book via: nhsg.publichealthlearning@nhs.net
Growing A Greener Britain: Small Grants Programme
This fund wants to help communities to grow a greener Britain by supporting them to transform green spaces. We know that there are many people across the UK who have fantastic, creative and innovative ideas that could help to improve their local spaces. This small grant fund is designed to help turn these ideas into reality! Any constituted community group is invited to apply. Please remember that due to limited funding projects of a value of up to £1,000 can only be supported and that not every project can be rewarded. For more information, visit: https://www.growingagreenerbritain.org/small-grant-programme/
The ADP South community forum is holding its AGM on Tuesday 2nd May 2017 from 1pm – 4pm at West Church in Banchory, AB31 5TB.
Please join us for a sandwich lunch prior to the meeting from 12.30 onwards. 
It would be great to see as many of you as possible as we look to appoint new committee members for the Aberdeenshire ADP South Community Forum.
Sadly, our chair Jean Henretty and our secretary Kirsty Greenhowe have both announced that their period of commitment to the South Forum committee has come to an end and that they will stand down at this meeting. I am sure you will all join me in thanking them for all their work and input over the past year and wishing them well for any new ventures.
This means the South forum committee will as of May have 2 vacancies, the chair position and the position of secretary. We encourage any interested forum members, and in particular community members, to consider this great opportunity to take up a role within the forum committee and to be actively involved in shaping the work of the forum.
If you would like to stand for our committee, then please contact kirsty.forrester@aberdeenshire.gov.uk no later than Friday 21st April 2017.
If you require more information about these positions before 18th April 2017 then please get in touch with Tanja.Mehrer@aberdeenshire.gov.uk .
Also, if you or anyone you know requires transport to the meeting please get in touch and we will see what we can do!
Fundraising Masterclass
AVA are ho
lding a Fundraising masterclass event, Getting It Right, in Ellon on the 22nd of March.
The objectives are as follows:-
- To update participants on the changing context of fundraising
- To improve skills and knowledge on making good funding applications
- To improve knowledge and understanding of funders expectations
- To improve the development of fundraising strategy.
To book, contact;
Donna Speed
Funding Officer
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action
72a High Street, Banchory
Aberdeenshire, AB31 5SS
07964 036821
01330 700 757 or 03718 110008
‘Early Days and Changing Ways’
Developing Capacity in Scottish Communities through our workshops
Join us at a venue near you
Learn about social investment in the morning : Take part in a practical workshop in the afternoon
14th March 2017
Register your free place here.
Marie Curie Helper service
The Marie Curie Helper service is provided by trained volunteers who offer
one – to – one support to people with a terminal illness (cancer and other illnesses), completely free of charge. This support may also continue for their carers and families after bereavement. The service was launched in Grampian last August and is now operational with over 30 volunteers across Grampian now trained and ready to offer support.
Marie Curie Helper volunteers support people in their homes, offering a few hours of their time each week to provide a listening ear and companionship;
give families and carers a short break from their caring role; offer practical support, such as accompanying individuals to appointments or simply going out for a coffee; or help with sourcing information on other available support.
A Marie Curie Helper does not provide any nursing or medical care or advice.
Our Helper volunteers are provided with training and support to enable them to undertake their roles.
There are trained volunteers available now in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
If you are interested in finding out a little more about this service or know someone who might benefit from some support please contact:
Ingrid Penny, Helper Service Manager for Grampian on 0800 304 7024
Email: grampianhelper@mariecurie.org.uk
The Marie Curie Helper Service
is funded by Text Santa
K&M Communities 