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Friday Jul 03, 2009

Filming in A&E

Back in January we launched a new part of TheSite.org, a dedicated section on self-harm. It was the culmination of a long partnership we have built with two other charities, 42^nd Street and DePaul UK. And although there was a significant amount of content on the site when we went live, we didn't want to stop there.

Working with an advisory group of young people, as well taking feedback from other young people and professionals, we looked at what else needed to be added to the section. One request that we got from several people was a video to explain what happens when you go into A&E as a result of self-harm.

There is lots of animosity from those who self-harm about the treatment that they receive in A&E; and it's something that many in the health service acknowledge. Complaints include being badly treated, being criticised for "wasting our time", not being given access to appropriate support and psychiatric services where desired, and in the case of repeat visitors to A&E no way of storing preferred treatment methods.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines on treatment of self-harm goes a long way to try and change that; but changing procedures is only half the battle, and there is still a lot of work to change attitudes of individual clinical staff. That every clinician I spoke to was forthcoming with admitting this problem is both an indication of how widespread the issue is but also a demonstration that many people want it to be different.

We already had an article on what happens in A&E (co-written by an A&E doctor who I knew from student radio days), but it's difficult to explain procedures and what the experience through words alone. A video was the obvious solution.

Filming in A&E is no mean feat. Yes, there are the fly-on-the-wall documentaries that usually following ambulance and air-ambulance teams and include an element of A&E in them; but they've gone through months of preparation and agreements at the highest level. And often the hospital will be financially rewarded for allowing cameras in. We didn't have the time, resource or financial clout of the broadcasters, and given the sensitivities about attitudes towards self-harm it was particularly tricky, but our proposition was that we wanted to provide information for people who needed it.

I started by trying the usual suspects; the big teaching hospitals that had well-versed media departments. I also tried hospitals that, via the internet, I'd discovered had allowed cameras into their wards before. I got several initial warm responses, but after press officers discussed it with clinicians the answer was always "no, sorry".  Admittedly, I had put the calls in over February and March when A&E departments are at their busiest; but for the right department we were prepared to wait. In my desperation I even tried the set of Casualty, but apparently it's used all year round so they don't allow any other filming to take place.

Starting to feel like we were getting nowhere, we got a tip-off from a senior manager at NHS Direct, who we'd been chatting to about our self-harm work. She had been to a conference where there had been a presentation on Bradford Primary Care Trust's work with young people who self-harm, and particularly around the regular sessions that they held with the local A&E.

A few emails and calls later, and we'd got a very promising opportunity. I went up to Bradford for a meeting with the matron and consultant of the department and was expecting to have to go through some quite detailed negotiation. Instead their opening question was pretty much "OK, so what do we need to do to make it happen?"

Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) has a particular place in my heart, literally. As a student of the university in the city, the BRI is the only A&E department I've ever been in as a patient (a result of my heart going the wrong side of 200 bpm). So it was a bit strange returning to see the place for the first time not from a trolley-eye view.

Last week my colleague Chris and I were back in the city to do the actual filming. We agreed to film over two mornings – partly because the morning is generally quieter and partly so that if we couldn't do something on the first day we had a second opportunity.

As it was, the two days worked out perfectly. Spending any amount of time in an A&E department you realise it's not the manic heart-stopping drama of TV programmes like Casualty and ER. BRI is one of the busiest A&E departments in the country, yet there is an air of calm about the place (admittedly, I'm not quite sure it's the same on a Saturday night). It was also fascinating to see tours of school children brought in to the department to get an understanding of the place – I never got an opportunity like that as a child and the first time I ever went to A&E was in the back of an ambulance.

We filmed interviews with key staff and sequences using young actors from a local drama group and from our partners 42^nd Street. They, in particular, were really impressed with the attitude and work being done by the A&E staff to support people who self-harm when they come into the department. As a result of regular meetings between the staff and a local self-harm project, they had agreed to rebuild the triage area to make it less open and have space where initial assessments could be undertaken in private. They had management plans in place so that people who regularly presented in A&E as a result of self-harm had agreed ways of being treated. And there was a lot of training around changing attitudes and understanding that self-harm is a coping strategy, not a cry for help. And that people who self-harm have just as much right to treatment as anyone else.

The video now needs to be edited together (in fact, it'll probably end up being two videos). My colleague Chris has this task, and hopefully it'll be live in the next few weeks.  This part of the self-harm project has come to a close and whilst we'll continue to maintain and add case studies to the section, it feels like a big chapter has been finished. We're really proud of what we've achieved.

It's a nice time to end my role as editorial manager; it was only covering maternity leave and I'm glad to report that Hannah is now back in charge. But I'll be sticking around at YouthNet, working on developing do-it.org.uk, which should be full of some exciting new challenges.

Olly

Posted by Olly ( 10:47 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Monday Jan 12, 2009

Meet an Apprentice winner

I love The Apprentice: It’s about the only reality TV programme that I’ll make an appointment to view. The last series, whilst it has some classic moments (plus someone I used to work with), does feel a bit like it’s leaning less towards the serious job application process to a bit of comedy-entertainment with people you can laugh at.

The first series, when it was on BBC2, no-one understood the format and none of the contestants were using it as a quick way to become a quasi-celebrity, was won by Tim Campbell.  Tim did his time with Surallan, before deciding to set up a charity that promotes entrepreneurship among young people: the Bright Ideas Trust.

Tim is a really engaging person to spend some time with, so I caught up with him to get some ideas about how to get a job and become an entrepreneur. Watch the video.

Posted by Olly ( 2:37 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Friday Sep 12, 2008

Travel bother

Well, thank God for ATOL protection, that's what I say. Yes, I am one of the unfortunate souls who has lost out because of XL Airways going bust. Not only am I terrified of flying and having to book the holiday in the first place was hard enough, but now this has made me even more nervous that the plane we end up on if we ever get to Egypt will be a run-down old thing that has been out of service for ages. Rational or irrational, who knows? I am currently reading Stress free flying, which was bought for me by my other half – probably to make his life easier as well... it isn't helping, but to be fair I have only managed to read a few pages.

So not only will we have to go back to square one and book a holiday, but we will be in debt because our refund won't come back for at least four months. Thankfully I'm just about to publish a revised article on dealing with debt and negotiating with creditors, so that may come in more than handy when I'm flagging behind on my bills all in aid of getting a decent tan for the first time in seven years.

In fact it's been very busy on the editorial team of late – we've  joined forces with CAB to produce lots of content to help users in areas such as buying on internet auction sites, separating when you've got children, energy efficiency, payment protection insurance,  finances when you leave prison and more information on civil partnerships. And with the real life content, Stephen's been telling us about how Asperger Syndrome has affected his life, Stewart talks about drugs and derealisation and poor Lucy has had her heart broken after a summer romance went wrong.

So I guess I can't really complain, at least my other half hasn't broken up with me for refusing to take two flights in one day just to get to our destination (that was our alternative I was told this morning, no thanks!)

Posted by Julia ( 2:54 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Friday Aug 22, 2008

Watch the suffering...

In the last few weeks, thousands of teenagers have been collecting their exam results, whether it was for Scottish Highers, A Levels, GSCEs or SQAs.

If the stress of opening their results wasn't enough - these teenagers opened their A Level results in front of a camera. You can watch the results here as part of the Year Dot intiative.

And, of course, you can get all the information you need on decisions as a result of your exam results - whether they are good or bad - in the exams section of TheSite.org.

Posted by Olly ( 12:19 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Tuesday Aug 05, 2008

You're great, you are...

Here's something worth posting to the side of your monitor, or forwarding to your boss.  It's seven reasons why messing about on MSN and having your headphones on at work is a good indicator that you are actually far more of a productive worker than your 55-year-old colleague who dutifully never Ebay's during office hours and switches their mobile off whilst they are at their desk.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can't take the piss... just because turn up in t-shirt that hasn't ever been introduced to an iron doesn't qualify you as some sort of workaholic genuis.  But it does mean that if you are good at your job, you can hold your head high knowing that you don't have to wear a suit or ignore those pesky Facebook pokes when you are meant to be working.

Oh, and whilst we're at it ... you might find our new article on monitoring at work interesting.

Olly

Posted by Olly ( 9:06 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Monday Jun 30, 2008

Car functions and basic car maintenance

When the editorial team started thinking of what new video tours to produce we had a huge list of options to cover. We started our video tours off with a tour of a GUM clinic, but thought we'd move away from sexual health to something very different and a bit more practical. So... what is it we're allowed to start doing at 17 and hopefully by the time we are 24 are much more comfortable with? Driving!

We've produced two videos with expert advice from the Driving Standards Agency and RAC to help you when you get in a car for the very first time. So if you're having cold sweats just at the thought of remembering where all the pedals are and where your hands should sit on the steering wheel, then fear not, we've just uploaded TheSite.org's Learning to drive: car essentials video, using YouthNet volunteer actors who feature on screen and in the voiceovers, and my very own little Ka in the starring role

But when you've finally passed your test and you're out on the roads on your own (yikes), what on earth do you do about filling up with petrol, oil and water? And what do you do if a bulb goes? If you're lucky enough to have someone to help you out then great, but for those of us who don't and aren't keen on being swindled by your local garage for simple service checks, then watch the Basic car maintenance video to get an idea of the elements you'll need to maintain, and how often. Luckily for me when I took my test all those years ago (11!) I didn't have to do the 'Show me, tell me' part of the test, but nowadays it's a necessity, so if you're learning, make sure you prep up well in advance on various safety checks before the day of your test. And if you're driving instructor hasn't mentioned this to you yet, maybe it's time to find a new one...

Don't forget, if you want to cast your vote or comments on the videos then visit TheSite.org on You Tube.

Posted by Julia ( 1:48 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Friday Jun 06, 2008

Home health testing kits

Let's be honest, going to the doctor is a bit of a drag. The idea of testing yourself for something you're convinced you have sounds very tempting. But in reality, are the tests reliable enough? I'm known among my close friends and family for being a bit, well, over dramatic, when it comes to my health. When my other half told me about Spike Milligan who wrote 'I told you I was ill' on his gravestone I actually laughed so hard and for so long he thought I had totally lost it. So did the other people on the train. But it sounded just like something I could imagine wanting to say back to people who didn't believe me when I told them my worries (mild diabetes was the last one – this turned out to be a hormonal sugar craving, phew!) Then there's my early arthritis (sleeping on a mattress on the floor syndrome) Anyway...

So when I published the latest two articles on Home health kits and DIY STI kits it got me thinking how if I was to do a bowel cancer test, for example, and it came up abnormal, how would I react? I would probably be demanding an emergency doctor's appointment there and then! But why go through the trauma of testing at home in the first place? The result I may or may not get could in fact not even mean I have cancer and so I would have spent an unimaginable night or two panicking that my days were numbered. It's seriously not worth the stress. But when it comes to STI kits, I guess these can be a bit more helpful if it's for conditions that won't kill you, but at the same time how far do you go? Is getting an HIV test result through the post the best way of dealing with things if it's bad news? I think for the majority of us, if we're looking for answers we should see the experts first, especially if you're that worried about it that you've sought a home testing kit in the first place. Save money and get good advice exactly when you need it, that's what I say!

Posted by Julia ( 1:25 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Wednesday Jun 04, 2008

Abortions

The topic of abortion has been widely reported recently because of the push to cut the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 12, 16, 20 or 22 weeks. However, this has now been rejected by MPs; for the time being anyway. Many people think that 24 weeks is too late to abort a baby, especially when a small proportion of babies survive when born earlier than the 24 week limit. At the same time, babies born at 23 weeks or earlier are apparently no more likely to survive than they were a decade ago. It’s not surprising that you may think it’s immoral to abort a foetus when it has the chance of surviving, but after interviewing a couple of family planning advisors, I realised there was far more to it than that.

According to the FPA, many young women find themselves in denial when they realise they are pregnant or are having some sort of a personal crisis. This often means that by the time they get to the doctors to discuss abortion and are put on the waiting list, often it’s too late to have an abortion - especially if their only option is with the NHS and they can’t afford to go private. Then there’s the selection of women who don’t know they are pregnant until it’s too late. It’s for these reasons that MPs decided to stick with 24 weeks.  

But at the same time, if it happened to me, what would I do? I guess that at 28 years old I am regarded as old enough to be a parent, but for many women including myself, it may still not be the right time; you may not have the money, the support of your family or partner, or the wish to put your career on hold.

Whatever choice you make, if it happens to you, finding out what actually happens during an abortion is kept relatively hush-hush and that’s why we’ve expanded our content to include information about the actual procedure and about the recovery afterwards so you know what to expect. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but by knowing what to expect hopefully that will help you make the decision that is right for you. 

Posted by Julia ( 9:33 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Wednesday May 07, 2008

Festival fun

I'm a festival virgin. It's not that I don't want to go to a random field, party and watch the biggest names in music, it's more to do with the fact that I'm about as useless camping as condoms in a convent. The last time I made an attempt to set up a tent I ended up sleeping under the stars with my camping buddies using my car as a makeshift home for the night. The thing with camping is you've either got it or you haven't. Some people enjoy the outdoor experience but I'd much rather be at home with my slippers on and a hot cup of cocoa in hand. Perhaps one day I'll pluck up the courage to go to one.

If you're a wannabe festival-goer like me, check out our new festival section on TheSite.org. There's load of tips on everything festivally from how to pull to advice on avoiding mud.

You can also watch or read our vox pops on your own festival experiences as we ask you what your most memorable moment is, your festival nightmares and who you'd like to see play at your dream festival.

 

Posted by Chris Denholm ( 10:54 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Wednesday Apr 16, 2008

The other end of depression

Feeling down or depressed can be a very different and personal experience, whether you're going through a rough patch or simply feeling bad but not exactly knowing why. How do you know if you're just a bit low or if you need further help? Do you really need antidepressants and what are the alternatives? And how can you keep positive when things around you are going crazy?

We've boosted our mental health content with six new fact sheets, two case studies and two podcasts to explore the 'other end of depression'. So whether you're getting through the worst of it, you've been feeling down for some time, or you don't know how to control your anger or mood swings, take a look at our latest articles for some useful tips, advice, and real life experiences.

Coming off antidepressants - includes a podcast – we speak to a GP and Bonnie who's struggled to come off antidepressants.

Understanding mood swings - includes a podcast – we speak to two experts who offer advice and techniques on how to control your moods.

Alternatives to antidepressants

Dealing with anger

Being positive

The positive side of depression

Fighting back from depression (True story)

Recovering from abuse (True story)

Posted by Julia ( 2:07 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Thursday Feb 07, 2008

Scary holidays

Scary holidays? We've all had at least one of them. If being between up by a bunch of 13 year-old Spanish boys (OK maybe that's a bit dramatic – being 'groped' and slapped on the ass), cracking my elbow and finding out my grannie had passed away while I was on a two-week package holiday with my ex staying in a hotel full of families and bawling kids when I was 21 wasn't scary enough, then I'd love to hear your stories! Still there's very different kinds of 'scary' and as our latest video vox pops reveal, from nearly being buried alive on a mountain to having to sleep in a cockroach-infested hotel room, that's far scarier than my holiday. Mine was probably more 'disaster' than scary!

Posted by Julia ( 3:09 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Thursday Jan 31, 2008

Leap year proposals

The shops are full of them, you can't find a birthday card for love nor money and your other half is dropping some serious hints. Yes, it's that time of year again with Valentine's Day just around the corner. As it's a leap year, if you're a woman and thinking of proposing then you've got quite a few decisions to make, and if you're a man, you better watch out!

Posted by Julia ( 4:32 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[1]

Friday Dec 21, 2007

Preserves prince

Every morning I have a set routine that I follow religiously before stepping out of my flat. Wake up, wash, and watch the BBC sports round up with a cup of tea and a slice of toast. I’ve followed this procedure as long as I can remember (which is probably a couple of years).

The toast has to be lightly browned, have a thin coating of butter, and be stacked with a mountain of strawberry jam the size of Everest. Sometimes I feel guilty about the damage I’m doing to my body digesting a tower of sugar disguised as jam.

Good job a young entrepreneur has invented a new jam with no added sugar and no preservatives. Check out his story on TheSite.org. 

Posted by Chris Denholm ( 4:29 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Thursday Nov 22, 2007

Video killed the radio star

Or so they were singing back in the Eighties. It’s taken us a while to catch up since then, but the good news is we now have a dedicated Audio & Video section on TheSite.org.

Some of you may have already listened to our audio content, but as well as the audio guides, interviews and vox pops we were producing we’re now also making videos – yay!

You’ll also notice that some of the videos have a ‘Videojug’ logo underneath them. That’s because we’ve been given some videos to host by the lovely people over at the Videojug website.

We’ve made a handful of our own videos so far – these are:

A virtual tour of a GUM clinic

An interview with a young entrepreneur

And two lots of vox pops – What will you miss about uni? and Has uni prepared you for working life?

It’s all early days at the moment, but expect to see lots more videos that we’ve made coming soon. We’d love to know what kind of video content you’d like to see, so please post here or contact us with any ideas. As we’re so lovely we’ll do our best to oblige. Within reason.

Happy viewing!

Posted by Hannah ( 10:54 AM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]

Tuesday Nov 13, 2007

Learning to drive

This week we introduce a new diarist to TheSite.org. Joe is 20 years-old and is learning to drive, ah the memories. We'll be following his progress on the road until the day he takes his test - of course here at TheSite.org we're hoping he passes first time, even if it will make interesting reading if he fails, tee hee.

I think that learning to drive with your parents helping you is the greatest test of all. In my case there were plenty of tears, tantrums and car door slamming, as I was forced to pull over and hand back the reigns after each close shave. My first few driving experiences with my Dad involved him almost sitting on the handbrake in case I forgot where the brakes were. I was forced to brake for imaginary pedestrians and to turn my head fully into each mirror so he could make sure I was looking properly - never mind that I was a 17 year-old with an image to protect who didn't want to look like I had a serious head twitch. Little did I know that apparently I looked like a prat anyway because I used to sit so far forward with my face just inches away from the windscreen... until I mastered the art of looking slightly more relaxed.

With each week passing, as I took lesson after lesson, I would wash my Fiat Panda with great pride using a leather chemise to buff up the remaining paint and fill in the rust-coloured sections with Tipex. Tempting fate, I would also spend hours creating my driving tapes in preparation for the day I could legally drive on my own, sunroof down, bombing along in the sports cars of all Pandas, the Panda 1000 Super. I think I must have been the only person to have ever posed in a Panda.

My car was called Skippy for two reasons; firstly because for the first six months I was putting in leaded petrol instead of unleaded, resulting in a kind of kangaroo jump as I drove and frequent stalling; and secondly because if it was actually yellow instead of white it could have easily passed for a Skip with its boxy shape and harsh contours. It took me three attempts to finally pass my test once I had mastered my confusion with roundabouts. Skippy was my faithful companion for three years until the day I eventually had to hand her over to its new owner, the car pound, after paying them £20 to take her away. Oh the shame.

Posted by Julia ( 3:45 PM ) Link to this post  |  Comments[0]