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Friday Apr 17, 2009

Work experience at TheSite towers

Just a quick hello from me and now I'm passing you over to Rachael who has been doing work experience at TheSite.org towers and has managed to fit in loads of stuff in over a relatively short amount of time...

This is my last day of work experience at TheSite.org and what better time to divulge some inside information than now!  Firstly the office is massive, if you are lazy like me than getting to the printer is really good exercise.  When I first arrived I realised what a hive of buzzing activity it is.  People are always exchanging ideas and inventing new ways to make the website better.  I think this is reflected throughout the website in the way that the content is always changing and the information available for young people is always expanding.

One of the features that I was able to be involved in during my time here is askTheSite.  People are able to send in their problems and receive a tailored response full of decent advice.  Before I even came here I realised what a valuable resource it would be but seeing the process firsthand it soon became clear just how much effort and time went into perfecting one of the helpful replies.  I attempted to respond to a problem myself but quickly realised that it was quite difficult to remove any wording that could influence or be detrimental to the person with the problem.  It sounds picky but it’s really important to take care when responding to a problem from someone who is obviously feeling very vulnerable, incase you worsen the situation. 

A definite perk for me being here was that I was able to literally change how TheSite.org looked on a daily basis.  Call me sad but it was a proud moment to upload a new poll complete with an image.  Makes you feel like God.  Or maybe not.  Something I didn’t realise is how much the discussion boards influence the content.  I took part in ‘board watch’ which is browsing through the boards to see if a topic could inspire any new content such as a fact sheet.  It was very difficult to find a topic that TheSite.org hasn’t covered as it’s pretty comprehensive.  I even took the plunge and managed to create a Rant for you to read. Nudge nudge.  Why don't you have a go at submitting a rant yourself and get things off your chest.  It can be very therapeutic! 

I was also invited to take part in a new website called Lifetracks; it provides online consultation with young people concentrating on the topic of work and careers.  I really, really recommend that you join.  The questions asked are perfect for when you are stuck for something to do and it just makes you think.  Blatant plug but you can apply through TheSite.org's sister website do-it.org.uk. It would be great if new people joined and I promise once you get into it that it gets addictive.

Posted by Helen ( 3:39 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Friday Mar 20, 2009

Body gossip

Until this week, I've been reading and listening to TheSite.org's Body Gossip article and podcast with a fair amount of distance. I've been assuming that this content relates to other young women and not me.

I'm a size 10, average height (although I have a lot of short friends who think I'm tall which is a bonus) and the only time I've ever really worried about the appearance of my body (other than primary school taunts for being lanky) has been when I've lost a shed load of weight during particularly stressful periods of my life. But, in hindsight, I've probably secretly enjoyed the comments I've had during those super skinny times. This in itself is disturbing. 

Aside from this, my reassessment of my place in the body gossip debate is because I've been invited to model for an Alternative Fashion Week shoot. This has really shattered my illusion that I have no qualms with my appearance.

Firstly, the designer (who I've yet to meet - I was recommended by a friend) sent me an image of his T-shirt's that featured illustrations of really tiny waisted models. I immediately freaked and messaged him saying I didn't think my figure was what he was looking for. He's told me not to worry saying the images were massively exaggerated. Phew!

Secondly, every time I eat any kind of junk food - you know a bowl of chips in the pub or a cheeky mars bar, I keep seeing flashbacks to some of the awful people on American's Next Top Model telling girls to shape up or ship out. For  the first time in my life, I've seriously considered eating carrot sticks for lunch a la Liz Hurley in the run up to the shoot. As if I'm not aware that crash dieting is ridiculous. But more to the point, why would I need to? Admittedly this has also made me think about my overall fitness, which can't be a bad thing, but such vanity is quite cringe worthy.

Thirdly, I've turned into that girl who does my head in asking all my friends: "Do you think I've put on weight recently, what if the photographer laughs me out of town?" As my housemate pointed out, if he does have an issue when he meets me, then that's certainly his problem not mine. You may be thinking: "Why put yourself through it?" I've asked myself that question, but I guess curiosity will always get the better of me.

So, although none of my concerns are really serious when considering some of the eating disorders and body worries that other people experience, it has really hit home this week that anyone is susceptible to irrational body worries. Bearing this in mind, I think it's really important that we continue to talk about body gossip topics and question attitudes in the media, among our friends and perhaps most importantly, the conversations we have with ourselves.

Posted by Helen ( 11:56 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[2]

Wednesday Feb 25, 2009

The Jade Goody effect

There can be few postivies to come out of the recent sad news about Jade Goody, who now has weeks to live following a battle with cancer.

On Sunday 15 February, the News of the World ran an exclusive interview with her, revealling that her cancer was terminal.

The day before, albeit Valentine's Day, 18 people searched for 'cervical cancer' and found our page on smear tests. That was pretty average over the last month.  The day the story broke, 63 people did the same search. On the Monday, that number was up to 294, and although that was the highest figure, it has stayed far higher than before the Jade Goody story broke.

The figure has been echoed across other media, and other organisations involved in cancer screening have seen an increase in public enquiries. If Jade Goody has increased the awareness of cervical cancer, that must be a good thing. Sadly it has taken her life in doing so.

Posted by Olly ( 10:14 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Tuesday Jan 20, 2009

Be part of the future

Hi everyone,

As a result of funding from Vodafone and V, YouthNet is building a comprehensive new website to help young people make decisions about their work, training and study options.

As regular users of the boards will know we always try to involve our users as much as possible in new developments. However this time we're planning something much, much more ambitious. If you're under 26 we'd be really excited to get you involved in creating and shaping exactly what this new site will be.

I've always felt that the more users can be involved in new developments, the better a website can be, however, previous development has been constrained at times - limited by the time we've had available and the requirements of having to update an existing service rather than starting from scratch.

But there's no similar problem here. By starting with an entirely new website we can really get everyone interested involved in the real nitty-gritty of building a website. For us it means an opportunity to check our thinking with yours and share all the excitement a huge new project can bring. For you it's a chance to get involved with something that will be an important and exciting part of young people's lives. It's also an opportunity to see how things are born on the web, from a very YouthNet perspective.

So if you think you have an idea of what would improve your time at school or work; if you want to get into web development; if you think your opinion is something we should hear; if you want to write, draw, film or record the experiences of others - or are just a little bit curious - then this is a great chance for you. It's also a great chance for us to shape how we'll be doing all future consultation, including work for the good ol' Site.

You'll be volunteering through YouthNet, with the support of the communities team, and let's make one thing clear from the start - you're opinions will have a real, lasting effect on the future of our work and a website you may be using in a few months.

If you're up for it then all you need to do is apply through the project group member opportunity over on our sister site, do-it.org.uk and bear in mind the opportunity is based online and is available to everyone across the UK.

I'll look forward to working with you

Posted by Jim ( 4:37 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Monday Jan 19, 2009

'Monging out' - a response

On Thursday I posted a blog post asking about using the term monging out.  I posted it because it'd been pointed out that the word originated from a reference to people with Down's Syndrome; something I was unaware of and so were the people I asked.

This was not trying to be offensive or controversial, I certainly have no desire to upset or discriminate against people with Down's Syndrome or other illnesses. I'm not prepared to use personal experience as a defensive, suffice to say I have a lot closer connection with Down's Syndrome than many other illnesses.

But I'm also not going to go down the route of pandering to every Daily Mail reader who gets offended by the slightest thing we say on this website. If a word, that once had an association with Down's Syndrome, but is now in common use with no reference to that association, has offended one person... does that really mean we should drop everything to remove it?

So I did what I felt was best... crowd-source and ask our audience. And you have answered.  For that reason I have removed the word.

Olly

Posted by Olly ( 9:26 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[2]

Thursday Jan 15, 2009

Are we right to use the term 'monging-out'?

If you use the phrases “lynch-pin” or “on the nail” you are using phrases that derive from slavery. You probably didn’t know that, and now that you do, would you stop using those phrases?

It’s an interesting question and one we’ve had to tackle this week. The phrase in question was “monging out”, and it’s appeared in an article on looking after yourself, that has been on the site since September 2006. We received a complaint about the use of the phrase because, as the correspondent points out, “it derives from a perjorative term for people who have Down’s Syndrome, and refers to a sad period of our social history when adults with a learning disability were abandoned in front of the TV, if they were lucky.”

Perhaps it’s my ignorance, but I didn’t know that, and hadn’t made the connection. A quick straw poll in the office suggests other people didn’t get the association with Down’s Syndrome, and took the phrase to mean being a coach potato. Nor do I believe that writer intended to make any connection with people who have Down’s Syndrome. And, having been on the website for two-and-a-half years, with just one complaint, it’s doesn’t appear that large parts of the general population are aware of its origins either.

The correspondent complains that use of the word “only perpetuates negative stereotypes”, and yet if few people actually understand the connection, what negative stereotype is it reinforcing?  Those of a certain age know why the word spastic is generally deemed offensive in the UK, yet acceptable in the US. I remember being hauled up by a teacher for using the word ‘wally’ to describe someone, and then being told that it was offensive because it referred to an individual called Wallace who had been misunderstood. There is no real evidence that this is true (most accounts seem to suggest that it comes from a 1974 music festival in Stonehenge), but Wally is offensive enough that the Where’s Wally books were renamed Where’s Waldo when they launched in the States.

We certainly don’t set out cause offence on TheSite.org, but we’re here to reflect the lives of young people aged 16-24, and that’s as much about the language as the attitude. We’d never use the kind of language Prince Harry used to describe a fellow solider, and equally most likely steer away from the term Chris Moyles used to describe a ringtone he didn’t like. But our language has moved on far less in the last fifty years than at any point in its history, and the notion that a word was once offensive means it shall forever more be so seems is, in my opinion, a backwards step. Stephen Fry has the most excellent argument about why fretting about ‘correct’ language is dangerous.

It’s for that reason we’ve left the term in. But we’re happy to debate it and I’d welcome you comments on whether you think that was right.

Posted by Olly ( 3:38 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[14]

Skint gourmet

If December was the month for over-indulgence, then after a very expensive end to 2008, January has certainly been the month for surviving on left-overs, scraping pennies from the money box to buy a packet of digestives (no really, I experienced that yesterday when I went to buy biccies for a meeting) and whinging about the fact the credit crunch doesn't seem to mean food is getting cheaper.

So, an email from the Motley Fool giving me a price comparison for the cheapest supermarkets to buy fruit and veg from has been most welcome. I've also enjoyed reading threads in our food forum about what food you can buy with your last tenner, and have gone back to basics with TheSite.org's articles on eating like a pauper and easy recipes which tend to be cost effective.

However, the thing to really get my attention is any tips related to eating my favourite food - curry. So, I'm loving this credit crunch curry video - and trust me chick peas are really yummy. Seriously.

 

Posted by Helen ( 2:25 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Monday Dec 22, 2008

A creative end to the year

is exactly what we've had in the communities team at TheSite.org. The deadline for the design a T-shirt competition has now been called. You can vote for one of the five finalists over on our discussion boards.  Thanks to everyone who entered, we really had our work cut out deciding which entries would make the final.

Also on the boards, we've launched a new forum called Creative. As Jim V says: "We've built this corner of the forum to allow people to express themselves. That could mean poetry, scribblings, whole novels, music, art, film - whatever you've created yourself."

I'm particularly enjoying the photography thread which has seen a splurge of activity since the new forum was launched. Below is one of the images which caught my eye.

Take a look at the whole thread for more interesting images.

Posted by Helen ( 5:10 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Thursday Dec 04, 2008

Secret santa

This week we've had the joy of picking out a name for Secret Santa ready for TheSite towers Christmas party. I've picked out a boy's name this year, who I've been assured is a sports fan and Arsenal supporter. This is pretty handy as I live near the Emirates Stadium so I'm bound to find some cheesy chrimbo merchandise nearby. I just hope I haven't been led up the garden path and find out he's actually true blue Chelsea or a horrible Hammers fan! :P

Work Christmas parties are a funny thing and it's interesting to hear your views on them on the boards - some people can't wait, while others are well and truly boycotting them.  If you're worried about yours then check out our article on work christmas parties for some survival tips.

I'm quite looking forward to ours, but one thing that does worry me a bit is our annual caption competition. Last year I managed to win a prize for my caption for one of the photos, but this year I'm just horrified to see my own face up for scrutiny. Anyway, I'm letting you have a peak...



What caption would you put on this?

Posted by Helen ( 4:00 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[2]

Tuesday Sep 23, 2008

Competition time

To celebrate freshers' week TheSite.org has sent cheesy chat-up line flyers to uni's around the country for you to pick up and try out. You'll be able to find them at universities during freshers' week.

The competition

Find one of these flyers at your uni campus.

Take a photo of yourself holding up the flyer (preferably using the line) and post your photos in this thread on the discussion boards or send them us by the end of October.

Here's an example of what we want:

The best photo will win a free Sumo bean bag to relax on at uni, so you can be like this comfortable lady.

Good luck!!

Posted by Chris Denholm ( 2:20 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[4]

Friday Aug 08, 2008

Speak up, Speak out!

 The other week we published a new rant called Shy and mighty. The writer, Rosemary Munro, is angry that drugs companies get away with promoting pills that can apparently 'cure' shyness. She says:

"Tests have shown that this drug is more likely to make us approach strangers and give money to charity. Great, so we're going to end up broke and drugged, but at least we'll be sociable."

I think I can see her point. But what this rant has highlighted for us is that although drugs are probably not the way forward, shyness isn't to be scoffed at. It's a serious issue for many and lots of young people struggle to overcome it.

Just yesterday I attended a fun and useful training session on public speaking run through SpeakersBank. What really struck me about it was the trainer herself. Sam asked us to perform a two-minute speech on something about ourselves. Being asked to talk about myself is something I really dread and so I asked her for a quick example. I was blown away by her speech in which she explained how she was painfully shy in her teens and realised at university that it's something that she had to confront. She was persuaded to join a toast masters club and from there built her confidence on a weekly basis. These days she's an acclaimed speech trainer who has helped young people win awards for their speeches.

Now, the idea of toast masters sounded terrible to me, but I've since looked into it, and it sounds much better than I thought! Here's some information:

Toastmasters International has 200 clubs in the UK and Ireland and nearly 5000 members...nothing to do with red-coated gentleman by the way! The first club was formed in USA in the 1920s at a YMCA to help young men build their confidence and develop their communication skills. Now there are 10,500 clubs worldwide and members receive a monthly magazine and work through an internationally recognised programme of speaking assignments.

So, if you're struggling with shyness, and would like to try out something new and exciting where everyone else is in the same boat, have a look to see if there's anything in your area.

Posted by Helen ( 10:57 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Tuesday Jul 08, 2008

Pick me! Pick me!

When I was about 10 or 11 all I ever hoped for was a Blue Peter badge. They were the holy grail of children's television and I wanted one more than anything. Every time the show ran a competition I was positive that my painting, poem or photograph would be deemed worthy of a badge. I used to scream at Anthea Turner and Tim Vincent to "Say my name", but they never did.

I had to wait until I was 12 until I received a letter that contained what I'd always wanted. I'd entered a Blue Peter poster competition for the London Underground and had drawn a Beefeater with a tube sign in the background. It wasn't anything special but I thought I might as well send it in; they'd probably reward me for my persistency if not for my artistic talents.

Twelve years on and my hopes are slightly more demanding; a house, a car, a £10 million pound lottery win. Who knows, maybe if I scream loud enough I'll get these send in the post as well.

In TheSite.org's latest survey we want to know your hopes and fears. Let us know and you'll get your own prize, a £5 Amazon gift voucher.

Posted by Chris Denholm ( 10:38 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Tuesday Jul 01, 2008

How much booze do you really drink?

 

After seeing a recent Government alcohol campaign on TV the other day, I wondered whether the scales for measuring alcohol units were actually very clear at all. We may order 'a pint' or a 'double whisky and Coke', but in actual fact the strength of drink and measure you receive can greatly affect the number of units you drink.

It all becomes a little confusing, so I took to the streets and soberly asked your opinion for our latest Vox Pops video...

It also makes me wonder if we should all adapt our language and start asking at our local for, "Two and a half units of bitter, please."

 

Posted by Chris ( 4:45 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Friday Jun 27, 2008

Culinary kings

If you're anything like me in the kitchen (utterly useless) a few cooking lessons wouldn't go amiss. It's not that I'm ignorant about ingredients or that I don't know any good recipes, it's because I'm the most impatient  person ever when it comes to eating. If a tasty meal comes to mind I want it immediately. When I want chips I'll zap them in the microwave and then blast them in the oven at full heat. They normally come out burnt as hell but I've found that ketchup masks the charcoal taste very effectively. It drives my housemate crazy! He's constantly turning on the extractor fan and spraying air freshener so the neighbours don't think we're on fire.

Last year TheSite.org met Lloyd and Daryl, two up-and-coming chefs who had been working on Jamie Oliver's Fifteen apprenticeship scheme. The scheme, for 18-24 year-olds, takes budding chefs and trains them up to a professional standard. Most of the apprentices were unemployed or out of education before joining the programme and now have a bright future in the restaurant industry.

It's been five years since the scheme started and Fifteen have recently started accepting applications for this year's apprentices. If you want to apply you can fill in an online application form here. The deadline is July 15.

 

Posted by Chris Denholm ( 9:18 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Friday Jun 20, 2008

School prom... anything to write home about?

I love reading news about the UK from other places (well, tbh I'm a news junkie so I like reading news regardless).

But this is a story about the increase in UK teenagers having proms from the US-based Wall Street Journal. The story suggests that we've "seen the events in movies like American Pie and television shows such as The O.C., and they want the chance to dress up and rent limousines".

Back when I left school, we had a sixth-form ball at the local hotel. We dressed up in black-tie---well, some people did---and convinced the bar-staff we were all eighteen.

So, are proms anything new, or have we just changed the name and made them more commercial?

PS.  The story also suggests that Britain is a "land of school uniforms, rigorous exams and ivy-covered school halls".

Posted by Olly ( 8:40 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]