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Tuesday Aug 04, 2009

UKYouth Voice conference 2009

Well it all started on Wednesday morning 7.30am I actually woke up before my alarm..must have been all the excitement of the conference, do you think? On the long journey from the North East down to Avon Tyrell.  Was feeling good about the week that followed as well as a bit nervous as it was the first UKYV conference I was part of.  On the whole the journey down went quite quick no mishaps, no getting on the wrong trains, all good.
 
So Wednesday evening catch up with the UKYV girls and guys and put some of the finishing touches to the conference for all our lovely delegates.
 
Thursday was all go....Printing info and questionnaires for 'Movers & Shapers' and putting together the Youth Achievement Award Movers & Shapers presentation together. Making sure I had the right information about Movers & Shapers as I introduce the whole Movers & Shapers section just before I delivered our own YAA presentation on results so far.  Going over of 'Education, Education...Inspiration' workshop make sure everything was set for the weekend.
 
The whole conference and year has been an experience and huge learning curve. Running the workshop was even more experience in itself.  It had a lot to cover from YAA to Dance, Volunteering to CV's. There was a wide variety of things to talk about as well as a wide variety of delegates and so each time we run the workshop there was something differently and those running the workshop with me and myself; adapted it accordingly.  The workshop groups were split into groups of animals Ducks, Sheep, Elephants and Lions. I was leader of the Ducks and basically each day I would meet with them and let them know where they were going for the day and it was put on display where each group where going at what time for everyone to see.  It worked well as we then had a mixture of people in the workshop.
 
Obviously though not all topics of the workshop in the case of our workshop; that I know of, was to everyones taste so we had a plan that we were able to adapt each time to each groups needs and interests.

The disco on the Saturday night end with a faulty fire alarm going off! So everything that could happen did.

On the whole I think the conference went really well and really enjoyed working with everyone and look forward to doing my second year and hopefully an even better conference next summer and I will miss the everyone who has left this year loads, but hope to keep intouch with them all.

I think I'm still recovering from the whole week, was really exhausting but loads of FUN.
 
So heres to UKYV conference 2010!

Posted by Moira ( 2:53 PM )
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Friday Jul 10, 2009

YAA certificate presentation

Hey people,

Just thought I would share that I got presented my Youth Achievement Award yesterday by the Regional Director and Regional Trustee of Barnardos NE yesterday :D Very exciting, oh and my certificate looks snazy lol. No really I had a good day yesterday.

Now all need to do is to get everyone else that is doing there's completing there booklets ad hey presto they will get a shiny certificate too   Try and get that sorted over the summer holidays...oh and its not long to the UKYouth conference going to be a cool weekend, can't wait.  Also the other week I went to have a 1 to 1 meeting with the chair of the Derwentside goveners board and my knowledge of the YAA may come in handy there also will have to wait and see what comes of that.

I will see if i can get the photo attached to this from yesterday as well

Here it is!

Posted by Moira ( 1:09 PM )
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Tuesday Jun 09, 2009

I got my Platinum Youth Achievement Award :)

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share with you my fantastic news....well its had me on a high since I found out ha!

I have had my Platinum Youth Achievement Award passed today at a high standard apparently. Only got moderated today so wont get the certificate for a while. But I'm still on a high oh all the hard work paid off. Honestly if you get the chance to do it through your volunteering role or even through your youth club Do it. (ha see what I did there?) It will be fun and hard work and fun and well now I feel fab that I've passed  So it will all be worth it in the end take from someone who knows.

Now I'm deciding what to do with it...even thinking about going and doing a Youth Work Course hmmm we'll see.  I think Barnardos have done so well putting up with me while I've been doing it and I'm so glad I didn't give it up now.

Now need to concentrate on the Summer and the UK Youth Voice  'The Big Youth Issue 09' Conference can't wait now. Should be really good hope I can pull off leading my workshop with my group..I'll be talking about YAA so the fact I've just passed will come in handy I think

Hope people's exams are going well   so.......Until next time bye

 

Posted by Moira ( 6:39 PM )
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Monday Jun 01, 2009

Try something new :-)

Well I finally got back here again........The latest on my YAA is that its going for moderation this month so hopefully i've done enough to achieve that.  It was hard work to finish but I think it will be well worth it.  Last week I made an update on what the Barnardo's Young People's Regional Advisory Group has achieved over the last year which also includes what is developing.

With the work I have been doing with UKYouth I have also spent a lot of time working on a questionnaire.  Researching what young people think of the Youth Achievement Award as part of our Movers & Shapers project, which is up and running now on survey monkey. The UKYouth Voice confrence '09 is looming ever closer  So will be rechecking things for the workshop and hopefully putting together a presentation on the Youth Achievement Award to present at the conference.

So..................... What do I get out of all of this????

Through all of the above volunteering I genuinely develop my skills as well as learning new skills. I get to meet some fantastic people along the way and all my volunteering has opened many opportunities.  I also get to tell all of you reading this!  I know that I have helped someone out or informed someone in a small way probably but at least they have got something from my volunteering.

I've built up my confidence and got so many other things out like........my YAA, I've travelled around the country (Not all at once.Ha!)   Want all of this and more for yourself or even just to get out of the house now th summer holidays are near? Then why not give some volunteering a go???? Go on u know you want to. Do -it.  :D

Posted by Moira ( 6:04 PM )
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Friday May 01, 2009

Bit of what I'm up to

Hi People,

Just thought I'd do an update its a bit short though, well unless I start rambling ha!

Its full steam ahead with the young people's conference 'The Big YOUTH Issue' with UKYOUTH VOICE which is happening in last weekend in July this year on the board has gone so fast. I cant wait to do the conference.  Its going to cool, from the workshop to presentation to making sure things are running smoothly....Oh its going to be had work and FUN! We have a meeting next weekend should be fun and hard work and FUN yes all in that order. Might even celebrate my birthday then a little early I know but still can enjoy it longer ha!

Had a YPRAG meeting last night and the website idea is still flowing and meetings are coming up to discuss the layout and making it accessible, for all abilities for children and young people within Barnardos NE. Have to see what hapens with that its all a changing

Other than that not much happening lately still hoping my YAA will be moderated later this month, have to wait and see.

Will write again soon

Posted by Moira ( 1:45 PM )
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Thursday Mar 26, 2009

YAA to interviews to confrences

Volunteering........ I've been up to over the past few months yes I know months I cant believe its so long since I last blogged.  I have been up to loads though, from Barnardos to UKYouth VOICE (UKYV).

I have finally completed my Youth Achievement Award and I'm meeting with my Volunteer Manager to discuss it and see about getting it assessed; so fingers crossed its passed, making sure everything was in my file made me realise how much I'd actually done over the last 2 years.  From training for my roles to working with so many different volunteers and workers.  Evaluating yourself does not get any easier though; no matter how many times you do it. ha!  On Thursday I hope to get it assessed or at least on its way to being

I was interviewed as part of the process for Investors In Volunteers (IIV) for Barnardos the other week. Which I had done in the past; but it was interesting to go through with them different things that I had done with Barnardos throughout my volunteering.  I know I missed stuff out too but its hard to think on the spot.  I have been part of some big things that have happened including the B'OSCARS Awards; and the fasion show 'V Factor' amongst others including the launch of the YAA being used in Barnardos NE.  Through all of this though I have met some great people and had some fantastic opportunties from volunteering.  I wouldn't change any of it. See these interviews make you reminisce ha!

As part of Barnardos Young People's Advisory Group (YPRAG) we've also being looking at how it works and how things could change; which is all still in the very early stages but there are lots of ideas to go with just have to research it a bit more to see what could work best.

UKYouth VOICE I stood down as Trustee as I felt I had too much going on and didnt feel I could commit the time it needed it.  However I am still a member and we are working hard on many things including the Young Peoples UKYouth Voice Confrence  'The BIG Issue' 2009 which you can find out more information from here.... http://www.ukyouth.org/whatwedo/UK+Youth+Voice.htm

I am also working with some of the group with thier Youth Achievement Awards which is good fun and it was interesting to see how other young people would work with the YAA after having the experience this time.  Good Luck to them in completing it though.

Posted by Moira ( 6:41 PM )
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Thursday Oct 16, 2008

First meeting with UKYV

Just thought I would update on what I've been up too which isn't much lately so it'll be short entry!

I was in Bournemouth again at the begin of the month the first meeting since the confrence with UK Youth Voice (UKYV) it was very interesting and by the group i was voted on as one of the young trustees there are 2 of us voted on this year to join the Trustee board of UK Youth.  So now I think I have to be voted on by the Trustee board itself ( I think thats how it works!).  I have also took lead on research for the Youth Achievement Award so have to do something around that.  And also I've taken on leading with 4 other young people for the Education workshop for the Confrence '09.  Its going to be hard work but lots of fun   As well as that over the weekend in Bournemouth we did some team building activities which were erm...fun and hard work.

I have recently also started up a blog with another young person from YPRAG about the work were doing and what everyone in the group is up to.   I'll have to let you know the link another time because its gone completely out my head ha!  We're meeting tonight actually to decide on what were taking to the next meeting with the Regional Managment Team in Barnardo's.  It should be a good meeting tonight.

Im still busy trying to get my YAA finished its getting there but I've come on a stumble block which I should be able to sort very soon and then hopefully get my presentation done and get my YAA completed Yippee!

Anyway bye for now

Posted by Moira ( 1:21 PM )
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Tuesday Aug 05, 2008

Adventure to Bournemouth

Hi

Well last weekend I was in Avon - Tyrell in Bournemouth with Youth Achievement Award Youth Board group at the confrence 'Trouble in Little Britian' and we did loads of activites and 3 workshops. 

It was an adventure from the start first of all I nearly (well I did!) got on the completely wrong train and had to be whisked off it! Then we stopped at a Station too late which was hard work because of all the stairs; not good it still wasn't going to spoil my weekend.

There was 3 of us from the North East at the event and we were the first to arrive so we missed nothing ha! We did team building exercises and a treasure hunt all in one activity which was good; and had some free time; in which you could go swimming on the Saturday.  Plus it was in the middle of no where.

Then on the Saturday we had to do 2 workshops all based around issues affecting young people now.  I did 1 on the Media, one around drugs and alcohol and one on bullets and knife which was around gun and knife crime.

The workshop on the Media and Gun and knife crime had to be the best :D  I learned skills on how to cope with the media when being interviewed and was shown how the media can twist what you say; which is very easy.  I did an extra workshop around the media on things to remember when being interview and the main point is to think your brilliant and dont let the interviewer get the better of you ha! Seriously!

For the Gun and knife crime we watched a video which showed how young people were feeling about crime and the statics for the UK on Gun and Knife Crime; something which I have also has some part in researching with Barnardo's NE Young Peoples Regional Advisory Group.  As a group we recieved funding to do a Poster / Poem competition and a questionnaire.  The group interviewed about 10 young people each and with that information we collated a report. Which is going to be sent to local MP's Children's services and the Competition entries are being displayed around the North East.  We found we got a lot more response from the questionnaires than the competition so the report seemed the way forward.  We shared this  report with those at the event to add to the statics given at the workshop.  And it was in the last week after another member of the group and myself took part in an interview.

On the last day we also had a nomination event where you could nominate or put yourself forward to be a representative for your region on the UK Youth Voice Board. And it was agreed that two of us that went down would go forward so I will be doing that for about 2years along with another lad who is part of my YPRAG who put himself forward too. Which includes putting on another Confrence a year from now and loads of other stuff. 

Coming home again was a lot easier than going. Cant wait till October when the first meeting is held

Oh and I got my Volunteer Management Course certificate too last week!

Thats all from me :D

 

 

Posted by Moira ( 2:34 PM )
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Friday May 09, 2008

Volunteer Management Course completed yipeeeeeee

Hey everyone,

Hope your all enjoying the good weather.

Ive recently completed my Volunteer management course which is brill because I thought I would never finish it.  Just on completing my YAA now trying to get it finished, so what i should probably be doing now is writing up about my challenges and preparing my presentation which is going to be in July; provided all goes well but it is pretty much completed folks.  

Ive been meeting with a new young people who are joining Barnardos YPRAG.  Its great to see the group getting bigger.  Ive been working with them some of the time individually on thier YAA which is a lot easier than having to speak to 6/10 people at once haha! 

The volunteers that Ive been managing have moved on and got full time jobs which is great, and we're still in touch.  Anyway this is a short entry I know but, until next time.

Debating at the moment whether to do some volunteering this summer again with the drama group hmmm we'll see.

The Governers board is a bit hard to get to grips with but apparently it takes everyone a while so im just going with the flow still trying to work out my role in it. Honest it would make you laugh, when new people join you go round and introduce yourself and nearly every says their name and there title i.e tutor at college etc.. however I go Moira...........and then nothing hehe ah the joys of the unknown ha!   It is great experience though.

Bye for now

Posted by Moira ( 3:10 PM )
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Friday Mar 07, 2008

News Flash!!!

Long time no blog sorry people

Going back to my last blog around research we're just starting to recieve questionnaires from Volunteer Managers which is a good sign. At the moment I'm advising the Researcher volunteer on where to look to find out about what other charities similar to Barnardo's do, for volunteers training.  So all moving along nicely.

My volunteer management course is on its way to being completed I think, I hope, can't wait till its finished. 

I was working with one of the young people from YPRAG on their own Youth Achievement Award ; which was fun.  Its getting much easier now; in working out whats needed to go into the Youth Achievement Award; its took a while but its getting there   As Im also part of YPRAG the young person and I, with the Participation Manager; went to meet with a new perspective member who is starting the group.  Where we explained what the group did and what it was about; outcome being that we've another new member; we have a few new people joined lately which is brill!

I think I had better go work on my vol management course see if I can get it somewhere near finished ha!

Oh yeah I don't know how I forgot this bit ha! In January I started as a member of one of the local colleges Derwentside College Governers Board.  Went to the first meeting in January all exciting stuff! It meets every couple of months. So I'll be busy doing that too! 

And amongst all this I'm rehearsing for a play with Jackass Youth Theatre which will be performed in a few places around the North East very soon.

Anyway tatty bye

 

 

 

Posted by Moira ( 2:04 PM )
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Thursday Dec 13, 2007

Research

Hi

Short entry this week.

Well this week was fun I was working with another volunteer on putting together questionnaires to volunteers and staff on Training and Development.  To be sent to Volunteers and Volunteer Managers Barnardos UK. The idea of the research is to see if the training available to volunteers is helping and whether there needs to be more training put in place or qualifications and programmes like the YAA.

Next week we're going Christmassy were going for lunch and I think I will be looking at my own training and development as well.

Don't forget if you want to know anything about volunteering at Barnardos leave me a question on the comments and I will try and answer it in my blogs.

Anyway bye for now.

 

Posted by Moira ( 12:21 PM )
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Wednesday Nov 28, 2007

YAA+personal development

Hi People,

I hope your enjoying my blogs and there not too boring!

Well I had a meeting yesterday to double check how I was going with running the award with YPRAG whether I was doing it right.  As I don't want to get too far ahead of myself in doing this work with the group and then it being written up wrong. 

I got some tips on how to evidence what the young people do more as sometimes its hard to evidence it even though you know the young people are leading in whatever challenge they set.  Which was good. You have to keep a diary of hours and things you do and I've just been using what I developed for the young people in the group to use.  Not anymore though I'm going to use a proper diary so  I can describe more how i feel about how im progressing as well as what I'm doing.

I'm also seriously thinking about going into Youth work or teaching as I progress through my own Platinum Award.  As I really enjoy working with the group through thier award and getting a feel for what it would be like.  Not to blow my own trumpet or anything but I think I would be quiet good at it. ha!

So the group are coming along nicely in doing thier Youth Achievement Award and I'm leading it right which is what I was worried I was doing it wrong.

Posted by Moira ( 3:52 PM )
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Friday Nov 16, 2007

YPRAG+ YAA

Hi Everyone,

This week has been really good and productive week

We have had our monthly YPRAG meeting which hasnt happened for a while and was great fun.  Theres lots coming up which the group are going to be involved in from planning the B'OSCARS to meeting Corporate Forum, to all other usual goings on.

Now the Youth Achievement Award (YAA) as the group are doing this we also did a bit on this....the difference was though that i worked with only 1 of the group members on filling out a challenge and it was loads easier.  I think it helped the young person understand better what he has to do as well.  So I may start trying to work with the young people even for a few minutes...on thier own when it comes to the YAA.  This experience is really challenging me and I keep having to adapt to the situations as they arise and learning the best way to work with the young people through thier award.

I mentioned before in a past blog that I was putting together an achievement board for YPRAG which shows everything that YPRAG have been asked to do.  Showing what has actually happened within Barnardos and the region as a result of the work that YPRAG do.  And what was really good was that YPRAG have done even more than they were asked to do ha!

The board looks pretty impressive and the year isnt over yet so there will no doubt be something else appearing ha!

My Volunteer Management course is coming along and have been working on it a lot this week, with the help of the volunteer I'm managing at the moment So thankyou to them!

Anyway bye for now

Posted by Moira ( 12:42 PM )
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Thursday Nov 08, 2007

Update

Hey long time no blog.....I've been busy...

Well the YPRAG are still working towards thier YAA but hasn't been hapeening since Aug as its had a bit of a break after a busy Summer, but should be meeting up again soon Back at the end of September I did some planning with the Participation on the group writing out a challenge which was interesting; and is just to give the group some hints on what kinds of things to look at when reviewing what they did.  In the case of this challenge it will be from when they Reviewed the group as a whole. The group will be working on this sometime this month so we'll see if we're all getting used to reviewing our work as the YAA is rather good tool for reflecting on what you do; I think.

I am in the middle of updating our YPRAG display board; which shows what the group have been asked to do and what has changed within Barnardo's as a result of the work the group does. I've done all the hard work of writing up all that we've done nxt is the fun part of putting the display together...so it will be lots of gluing and sticking. or MESS, mess, MESS! Haha!

As far as my volunteer management is going is going slowly ha! Its really hard to keep motivated in doing a course when you are doing the course by long distance learning.  Although I have done some of it, it's hard going.  

Plus I have been doing a trainee placement with Jack Drum the youth theatre lately which has been gr8 fun! Thinking about volunteering with 1 of thier other young people's groups, havent decided yet though.  Might help me decide tonight; when I go to the older group within the youth theatre though as the group im thinking about helping out at is...on just before my age group.  So we'll see!

 

 

Posted by Moira ( 11:12 AM )
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Thursday Aug 30, 2007

Working with YPRAG in doing thier YAA

Yesterday was an exhasting day for everyone involved.  We spent half of the group meeting working on filling out the 1st challenge of the Youth Achievement Award, which was all around meeting with Corporate Forum and the roles they took in delivering and the lead they took in this.  Even though I've had the training it was still difficult to ensure everyone filled out thier challenge appropriately.  Which they all did, very well at, I think once they fill out a couple more challenges then they will feel more comfortable in writing up there challenges.  Fingers crossed.

We then had the rest of the meeting which we used to evaluate where YPRAG was at and where it wanted to be in the future, the general feel of the group and what the members felt they got out of being part of the group.  Which wasn't too bad.  It was bit of relief from working on the YAA booklets!

So all in all I think it was a good start to using the booklets and everyone will get used to using them......Including ME!!!!  Start to work in my award group next week as I have to have a seperate award group, to the group I'm working with.

Anyway tomorow for all the work YPRAG have been doing lately were getting to go to South Shields Fair which should be fun!

So till next time

 

Posted by Moira ( 6:02 PM )
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