Tuesday, November 18, 2008
www.yehright.com
I have been at the youthwork.co.uk conference this weekend and as a result I came across this website. It has a few interesting sections, for example, check out the presentations such at these stats, and these papers.
Labels: Statistics, Training
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Britain's Teenage Suicides: Episode 2
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Spirituality in youth work training Guisborough July 2nd
Anyone with a passion for working with young people who would like to attend is very welcome.
Having attended some training sessions with Nigel we feel he delivers effective training with humour and enthusiasm encouragement and inspiration as youth workers is also great; hope lots of you can come.
Where:
When: Wednesday July 2nd either
There will be tea, coffee, and biscuits available for catering purposes rough number information would be welcome. For more details you can ring us on 01287 636825/07890 228851 or email staff@guisborough-bridge.org.uk
Labels: Training
Monday, March 24, 2008
Community and Youth Work in Context
I've been away from home for about 10 days - hence the lack of posts. I've uploaded another of Hiede's essays that she has written for her Diploma in Community & Youth Work course. This one is entitled, Community and Youth Work in Context.
Labels: Training
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Every Child Matters and Youth Matters
Over the next few weeks I'm going to upload some of Hiede's essays that she has writen for her Diploma in Community & Youth Work course. You can find the first one, Compare and contrast the two green papers 'Every Child Matters' and 'Youth Matters', here.
Labels: Training
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Boys, God and the Church
I've just read this booklet which outlines some of the basic issues that churches need to grapple with if they want to engage with boys. The main points I picked up were:
- boys are more likely to enjoy factual / evidence based ideas / teaching
- because of the way that boys brains are wired up, they are less likely to enjoy / relate to stories, fiction and poetry. They are also less likely to pick up subtle visual queues or "disapproving looks" from leaders
- boys are less likely to enjoy reading than girls.
- at certain ages, boys can physically struggle to hear what you are saying
- we need to include lots of activities and games - make things more hands on / practical
- avoid long periods of time on any one activity
- during times of teaching, try to show the 'tough' side of Jesus
- boys, perhaps more that girls, need clear boundaries
Labels: Training
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Hope08 resources
In addition to my earlier post, I've just received an email pointing out that there are some resources here. This also includes the followings articles that are well worth the read:
- How to do schoolswork - a no-nonsense guide to christians visiting schools
- Starting a Christian group in school factsheet
Monday, November 19, 2007
How to Improve Your Social Skills
Sunday, November 11, 2007
youthwork.co.uk conference
Just got back from the youthwork conference at Southport. Here are some websites I came across while I was there:
- http://www.stoptheguns.org/download/badman.mp4 - maybe could be used for some kind of discussion starter for gun crime / violence. See http://www.stoptheguns.org/advertising/index.php for more info.
- They "launched" http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/ while we were there - something to key an eye on. I think the idea is to provide / share resources and ideas for those working in schools.
- http://www.sophianetwork.org.uk/ - a support network for "women in youthwork"
Labels: Activities, Illustrations, Training, Video clip ideas
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Our Iceberg Is Melting
I've just finished listening to John Kotters book Our Iceberg is melting - a must for anyone wanting to know about the process of change. Checkout the promotional video here.
Labels: Training
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Making the right decision
Here are some more notes from the Spring Harvest seminar by James Lawrence....
Making a decision can be a tricky business. The outcome depends upon what we do (the action) and when we do it (the time). If we don't get the right combination, things might not work out as we expect. This diagram attempts to show what can happen:
Making a decision can be a tricky business. The outcome depends upon what we do (the action) and when we do it (the time). If we don't get the right combination, things might not work out as we expect. This diagram attempts to show what can happen:
| Wrong action | Right action |
| Wrong time | Wrong time |
| | |
| Disaster! | Resistance |
| | |
| | |
| Mistake | Success |
| | |
| Wrong action | Right action |
| Right time | Right time |
Labels: Spring Harvest, Training
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Death by power point
Here's a good quote for those who use power point "You need to be capable of communicating without Powerpoint if you are ever going to fully utilize the communication potential of Powerpoint".
Labels: Training
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wholeness
Here are some notes from another Spring Harvest session on Wholeness. I think the speaker was Kriss Kandiah. The idea is that there are 3 types of people, and they are driven by different things and if we are to attain "wholeness" as a church we need to embrace all three. Here is a brief summary of the 3 types:
1) The Heart is what matters
They people are prone to emotionalism, Orthopathy and are Vulnerable to manipulation.
2) The head is what matters
These people are prone to intellectualism, orthodoxy and are in danger of "cold formalism"
3) Doing is what matters
These people are activists...orthopraxy and are prone to burn out.
From my notes, I understand that Orthopathy means that having your heart in the right place is what matters, where as orthodoxy is about having the correct theology / beliefs. Orthopraxy is about doing the right thing.
As I write up these notes I wonder how this connects with my previous post on Change. Perhaps this connects with the idea that everyone has fundamental needs....
How does this effect our youthwork...perhaps we need to ask, what are we doing for those driven by the heart / head or the activist...personally am more prone to the head. I guess this is at the expense of the other two...perhaps we need to step back and ask ourselves, what does our group look like? Is it dominted by "the heart"? Are we forever "doing" but not thinking (the head)? I guess we need a balance....
Labels: Training
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Change
A few months ago I typed up some of the key points from the Spring Harvest leadership seminars I attended this year. I thought I'd type up some more on the subject of change...
Principles of change
1) different people react differently to change...at one end of the spectrum we have people who like stability and at the other we have people who like change. For those of us who are trying to undertake change, we have to ask ourselves: what if someone likes stability? After all some people like Church because it is a source of stability in a changing world. Change can lead to:
- strong dissatisfaction
- stress
- negative attitude (distrust / dislike) towards those with other preference
- resistance
- intense emotions
- loss of rational judgment
2) Everyone has fundamental needs to be meet. Those initiating the change need to consider what these individual needs are and how change will effect / meet those needs.
3) Change involves loss...people go through a "loss curve" like grieving:
- Shock
- Anger
- Rejection
- Acceptance
- Healing
4) Fears need to be dealt with in a rational way
Note that change usually requires a considerable length of time...skipping steps can't be done.
Kotters eight phases of leadership through change
1) Establish a sense of urgency
2) Form a powerful guiding coalition
3) Create a vision...a clear a concise description of what you are doing. This should be written in terms of outcomes, not specific activities
4) Communicate your vision, use every opportunity and every tool you have available. Do this time and time again.
5) Empower others to act....coaching
6) Plan and create short term wins (milestones). This enables people to see progress.
7) Consolidate and maintain momentum
8) Institutionalise the new approaches
Labels: Spring Harvest, Training
Monday, October 01, 2007
Bullying seminar notes
These are from some seminar notes from Spring Harvest about 2 years ago...
Some definitions of bullying
Why do people bully?
Some definitions of bullying
- Name calling
- Spreading rumours
- Making up stories to get people into trouble / take away friends
- hitting / tripping / poking
- remarks about colour / physical appearance / looks
- choosing not to be someones partner
- being left out when choosing teams
- taking possessions / demanding money
- hiding stuff
- sending nasty text messages
- prank phone calls
- doing things that you know will make someone ill
Why do people bully?
- Traumatic event
- Boredom
- it gives power
- because they are spoilt and always want their own way
- because that's what in going on at home
- some are under pressure to succeed, so they "have a go" at those who don't try
- they don't fit in...it's a way of getting some power / respect etc.
- they have no sense of accomplishment...they can get some people to do stuff
- they have a negative attitude...
- could be scared of the bully even years later
- being too scared to do or say anything
- can't except praise
- suicide
- causes a wrong view of God...if everyone else bullies you...surly God will
- scared of walking to / from meetings / youth group / school etc. May constantly ask to be driven or may change their route.
- they stop coming all of a sudden
- may suddenly become withdrawn..."hide at the back" of the group
- suddenly start stammering
- threaten suicide / run away
- all of a sudden feel ill before some activity
- begin to underachieve....stop giving the right answers...maybe they are being bullied for being bright
- their stuff gets damaged
- they start to lash out
- they stop eating
- they present improbable excuses
- The no blame approach...draw a pictures / write a poem
- Mediation
- Circle time
- Peer group programs
- "Telling", ie, use a message box to allow people to post their concerns
- Sometimes they bring it on themselves...children can spot a victim from an early age
- Some children don't like their name because someone has misused it
- If you suspect someone is being bullied, start recording any incidents in a log book
- Check out the book Odd Girl Out - the hidden culture of aggression in girls
Labels: Bullying, Spring Harvest, Training
Sunday, September 02, 2007
List of training courses
Check out this list of training course on the MAYC website - it looks like a useful summary of what's going on.
Labels: Training
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Risk assessment for concert
Last week we had a YFC team, Activate, working in our local school. It was hard work, but worth it!! On Friday night the team finished the week with a concert. We spend what seemed like an age doing a risk assessment for this, so we thought we'd share it with you all so it might save you some time if you ever have to do it.
The main risk assessment is here. I'll upload various other documents throughout the week ahead.
The main risk assessment is here. I'll upload various other documents throughout the week ahead.
Labels: Risk assessment, Training
Monday, June 25, 2007
Risk assessment for residential
We've been working on a risk assessment for a YFC event that kicks off on the 9th June. Those of you who have had to do these before will know that it's useful to solicit other peoples ideas as they might think of something you haven't. Anyway, I thought I'd dig out some we've done in the past. Here's one we did for a residential last year.
Labels: Risk assessment, Training
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Developing leaders vs developing followers
Here are some more notes from the seminar by James Lawrence.
We were exploring the issue - is it better to develop leaders or followers? In reality most of us try to develop what he termed to "followers", which in the long run is less effective than developing leaders.
Here's a comparison between developing leaders vs developing followers:
I can recognise some of this in myself - I think where I struggle is "treat people the same". I guess this is because we are so paranoid about favoritism.
We were exploring the issue - is it better to develop leaders or followers? In reality most of us try to develop what he termed to "followers", which in the long run is less effective than developing leaders.
Here's a comparison between developing leaders vs developing followers:
| Leaders that develop followers | Leaders that develop leaders |
|---|---|
| Need to be needed | Want to be succeeded (do themselves out of a job) |
| Focus on weakness | Focus on strengths |
| Develop the bottom 20% | Develop the top 20% |
| Treat the people the same for "fairness" sake | Treat people as individuals for impact |
| Hoard power | Give power away |
| Spend time with others (more socially) | Invest time in others (more focused) |
| Grow by addition | Grow by multiplication |
| Only impact the people they touch | Impact people beyond their reach |
I can recognise some of this in myself - I think where I struggle is "treat people the same". I guess this is because we are so paranoid about favoritism.
Labels: Spring Harvest, Training
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Team leaders role
I've been going through some of my old notes from various training sessions I've been on. These notes are from a seminar by James Lawrence & Rob White on team work:
There are two fundamental principles on developing people.
1) Everyone can develop other people, you can do this through:
The team leaders role is to:
The leaders must make sure all three of these things happen.
To make these happen, we need to be aware of the "needs" of the "team", "task" and "individual":
The needs of the "individual"
There are two fundamental principles on developing people.
1) Everyone can develop other people, you can do this through:
- affirmation - saying thank you / well done
- encouragement
- Jesus only invested in 12, and within that focused on 3 (and 1 in particular)
- We can't invest the same amount of time in everyone
The team leaders role is to:
- build and maintain the team
- achieve the task
- develop individuals
The leaders must make sure all three of these things happen.
To make these happen, we need to be aware of the "needs" of the "team", "task" and "individual":
The needs of the "individual"
- to be accepted and valued by the leaders
- to be able to contribute to the task
- to know what is expected from them and what is expected from the team
- to be part of the team
- to have clear targets
- to set standards and perform
- to clarify responsibilities
- to achieve / set targets and standards
- to ensure all members contributions are complementary
- to know the leaders style and vision
- to feel a common sense of purpose
- to be supported
- to grow and develop as a unit
- to have a sense of collective achievement
- to have a common identity
Labels: Spring Harvest, Training
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Dealing with conflict
I've just been going through some of my notes from Spring Harvest...one of the sessions I went to looked at the issue of conflict. I've typed up some of the notes (see below). When it's laid out like this, it's quite easy to recognise some of the problems we come across and when we, as individuals, will succeed...for example, I'm probably a 'problem solver'...but people like me will find it difficult to solve some conflicts...there may be times when a facilitator is needed.
Three myths about conflict
Three myths about conflict
- Conflict can never lead to anything positive
- Conflicts are a result of clashing personalities. Personalities don’t clash, behavior does
- Conflict and anger go together
Four levels of conflict
Generaly speaking there are four causes (or levels) of conflict:
Level 1 – Facts or data. People have the wrong information about stuff
Level 2 – Process or methods. There is a disagreement about how something should be done.
Level 3 – Goals or purpose. When people don’t agree with vision
Level 4 – Values. Where the parties disagree about basic values, ie, one party thinks we should look to the past, others look to the future.
Styles of handling
When dealing with conflict, most of us will fit into one of these roles:
- The problem solver. These people refuse to give in…finding a solution is just a mater of time. This approach tends to work where the parties have common goals
- The super helper. This person wants to see all conflicts resolved. They will fight tooth and nail for someone else but often find it hard to sort out their own issues
- The power broker. We will solve this problem and it does not matter how many casualties there are. All that matters is that we resolve the problem.
- The facilitator. They look for ways of bringing people together
- The fearful looser. These people tend to run from conflict.
Top tips
- Separate the people from the problem
- Focus on the issues not the positions
- Think about the options that might solve the problem(s). Is there space for compromise?
Insist on objective criteria….on what basis will we agree to disagree? A third party judge? - Try make it a shared problem, not a conflict problem
- Don’t be personal – behave like adults
- Keep your body language in check
- Try to clarify goals. What outcome is needed and where goal fits?
- Listen carefully ‘underneath the words’ and reflect back, ie, don't just listen to what they are saying....what do their words imply?
Labels: Behaviour, Spring Harvest, Training
Monday, April 23, 2007
10 Tips To Great Communication With Teenagers
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Volunteer Driver's Handbook
Check out this email I received from http://www.nyfvo.org.uk/nyfvonet.shtml:
Maybe we could add this to add this to our respective youth work manuals....
RoSPA has launched a new handbook to help volunteer drivers avoid accidents and injuries to themselves, their passengers and other road users....The new handbook has sections on key driving issues including journey planning, fitness to drive (including the effects of drink, medicines and fatigue), safe speed, seatbelts, distraction (including from mobile phones), vehicle safety and emergency procedures.
Produced with the support of the Department for Transport, the Volunteer Driver's Handbook is also available as a free download at www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/volunteer_drivers.pdf Paper copies can be ordered free by emailing dvernon@rospa.com and the deadline for orders is 27 April 2007.
The new handbook complements a manager's guide on occupational road risk in voluntary organisations that was produced by RoSPA in 2003 and can be downloaded from http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/voluntary_morr.pdf
Maybe we could add this to add this to our respective youth work manuals....
Labels: Training
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
www.safeinchurch.co.uk - spiritual abuse
I suspect spiritual abuse is one of those things we don't much think about. www.safeinchurch.co.uk introduces the issues and high lites some of the warning signs. You can download a PDF of the entire site here.
Labels: Training
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Criminal Justice System - walk throughs
Check out http://www.cjsonline.org/sitemap/index.html
This gives a list of "walk through's" for various situations, such as what happens if someone is arrested, how bail works etc. It looks quite good.
This gives a list of "walk through's" for various situations, such as what happens if someone is arrested, how bail works etc. It looks quite good.
Labels: Training
Friday, February 16, 2007
Training courses - North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntry Organisations
Here's a list of training course provided by North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntry Organisations
Labels: Training
Saturday, February 10, 2007
How to capture YouTube clips - youthblog
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Video basics
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
York & North Yorkshire Voluntary Sector learning & Skills network
This web site tries to list course available to those of us doing "Voluntary" work. It looks like a good idea, but as ever, highlights the fact that "Voluntary" seems to mean that you volunteer between the hours of 9 - 5 Monday to Friday. What about the rest of us volunteer in our spare time?
Labels: Training
Monday, January 22, 2007
Learn Online with Free College Courses
See this post about free online course on churchrelevance.com. The list of courses can be found here.
Labels: Training
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Parent Line Plus
If you haven't already come across this site, check out http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/
They offer advice to parents on a wide range of issues and have a free phone number of parents to call...
Labels: Training
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Download Lee Jackson's book
I've just noticed that Lee Jackson has a free download of his book Effective Schools Work on http://www.networkleeds.com/. Click here for the link.
Labels: Training
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Graffiti creator
Friday, September 02, 2005
Is it legal?
Is it legal? is a free "parents' guide to the law". It can be downloaded from www.e-parents.org the PDF is here
Labels: Training
Thursday, September 01, 2005
28 Ways to build community in your group
- Celebrate Birthdays
- Take pictures and make sure you give them a copy. If your using a digital camera why not make a photo CD. Send picture texts.
- Phone them
- Visit them at home
- Send Text messages
- Create 'shared experiences' - see Memory makers: 50 moments your kids will never forget by Duffy Robbins
- It's kind of obvious, but needs saying - try to speak to each young person at least once everything you have a meeting. Try to remember what you talked about last time and follow it up...I used to find I was having the same conversation every week with the same people!
- Welcome them individualy when they arrive. If you know they are coming for the first time try go see them at home before hand.
- Send them Email
- Chat on MSN
- At the end of the year, try recap on what the group has done - create a display, discus what happened etc.
- Make a group video
- Make sure they have your contact details, phone number, email, SMS, website etc. Why not get a 'business card' made? I've heard of people making a little card with their details on as well as some useful numbers such as Child line.
- Buy birthday / Christmas gifts / books etc.
- Run an open house. Invite people round for meals.
- Day trips
- organize a residential
- Run a website
- Invite them to youth friendly Church services
- Get involved in other aspects of their lives / settings...School, sport etc.
- Give them responsibilities
- Play team building games
- Make time for group discussions / discussions
- Run Fund raisers...Sponsored fast etc.
- Do a quiz about the group and the people in it
- Create mosaic pictures. You can do this with software like Image puzzler
- Develop shared values...what are the rules in your group...official and un-official? Think them up togethier.
- Run surveys, get feedback, ask them for ideas, involve them in planning / decision making
Labels: Activities, Training
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