Author Archives: Dayana Del Puerto

1. EU Referendum: Young Cardiffian Combats “Mainstream Misinformation”, With NATO Interviews, And More

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 20th Jun 2016

   EU Referendum: Independent, exclusive interviews by young Cardiffian with European leaders to counter “mainstream misinformation” and aid young people

   A young Brit who lived in Belgium for 19 years and now resides in Cardiff is leading a major project to inform and engage other young people about the EU and the referendum this Thursday in an impartial way.

   Arthur Huxham, writing for theSprout.co.uk – Cardiff’s youth information website and magazine for young people – has been to Brussels, interviewed senior NATO staff, the Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce in Belgium, ex-BBC journalist Mark Laity, the Chair of the Welsh Society in Brussels, plus European students in Cardiff, and more.

   This comes as a poll last week from market research firm Ipsos MORI showed that “the UK is massively misinformed on the EU”, including on immigration and the EU’s financial costs and benefits, and as fifteen academics from Cardiff and Swansea universities have penned an open letter attacking EU Referendum “falsehoods”.

   Another young Cardiffian, Adam, says, “With all the sensationalism in the mainstream press and from political parties, it’s a relief to get the facts clearly to know how to make an informed decision on the 23rd. I am really thankful to theSprout writer, who, as a young person, doesn’t have an agenda besides the truth.”

   In addition to over a dozen independent articles, Arthur has also just published an exclusive 40-minute documentary called ‘The UK’s Relationship With The EU’.

   

   The documentary provides an educational insight into the UK’s long history with Europe, the EU Referendum and the personal views of many UK Expats in Belgium on the big referendum issues.

   Arthur says, “I wanted to inform and involve other young people in this once-in-a-generation debate from many important and interesting perspectives, which is even more vital now than when I started this project due to pervasive mainstream misinformation.”

   People can access the documentary and interviews at theSprout.co.uk, following the link from the homepage. TheSprout has also launched a brand new information section on Voting, which provides locally – and nationally – useful links and videos on voting, including what children and young people can do if they’re too young to vote.

2. FREE Furniture and Equipment for Community Groups

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 17th Jun 2016

   Community and voluntary groups are being given the chance to secure free furniture and equipment via Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s innovative RCT Together approach.

   A range of goods which cannot be utilised in other Council facilities following the closure of Blaengwawr Comprehensive School, with pupils moving to the £50m Aberdare Community School development, are on offer.

   Items include washing machines, electrical equipment, domestic gas cookers, lockers, pianos, office desks, computer desks, stackable chairs, tables, metal filing cabinets, TVs and Video players.

   If you are a community group, voluntary organisation or charity that would like to benefit from the donated items, you can contact the RCT Together team to arrange an appointment to attend the giveaway day on June 16.

   Cllr Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Wellbeing and Communities, said:

   “This is the third such event that we have held as a result of RCT Together to support voluntary and third sector organisations that do so much to help our communities. 

    

   More and more, we are working with voluntary, charitable and third sector partners to deliver and sustain community services that the Council cannot maintain on its own. 

    

   Nurseries, paddling pools, cultural venues and community hubs are all successful examples of the RCT Together approach.

    

   By offering surplus equipment and furniture, which the Council cannot facilitate elsewhere, to these organisations for free, it means we are supporting their work and helping them to free up funds which can be spent elsewhere.” 

   To book your appointment for June 16, please contact Lisa Owens on 01443 744513 or email lisa.j.owens@rctcbc.gov.uk

3. [Positions closed] Vacancies : Trainee/Helpline Adviser Advocates

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 2nd Jun 2016

   Trainee/Helpline Adviser Advocates x 2 fte

   English / Cymraeg

   To work as part of a helpline team delivering the Meic children’s rights based information, advice and advocacy service to children and young people, and the FamilyPoint Cymru information and support service to families.

   Job Description – Helpline Adviser Advocate: English / Cymraeg

   Job Description – Trainee Helpline Adviser Advocate: English / Cymraeg

   Download Application

   This position is now closed. For the latest jobs and opportunities, head over to our jobs section, or sign up to ProMail at the bottom of this page.

    

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   Working With Us

   ProMo-Cymru has seen considerable innovation and growth in the last 30 years. We appreciate the importance of qualifications and experience but we at ProMo are also looking for right individuals who can bring something new and different to our organisation. There are several projects that offer staff the opportunity to develop their careers and experience different aspects of the organisation. We balance teamwork, autonomy and a sense of responsibility in improving our services and products. We work hard for our clients and partners and enjoy sharing the rewards with them.

   Employees are encouraged to be part of the leadership and decision-making process, giving personal attention to others and making each individual feel uniquely valued. Intellectual stimulation encourages a fresh look at old methods and breeds creativity. We inspire and motivate. This in turn increases optimism and enthusiasm while communicating high expectations. It also helps identify possibilities not previously considered. We have a shared vision and a sense of purpose while eliciting respect, trust and confidence. We are looking for colleagues that are able to work to these values. We require proactive people with drive, clarity and vision.

   If you feel you meet the above, we are recruiting and we’d love to hear from you!

4. Lessons From Europe: Digital Youth Information & Communication

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 25th May 2016

   ProMo-Cymru recently attended a conference exploring the topic of Youth Information in a Digital Era in Helsinki. What did we learn at #Eryica30 and #Digiera30?

   ProMo’s Communications Manager, Arielle Tye, relays the most important lessons:

   What struck me was how much emphasis is put on youth information in other parts of Europe and how even in times of austerity it still seemed to be high on the agenda.

   In Catalonia there is a network of over 300 youth information points, all sharing information digitally via a mobile app and website. I was impressed by the concept that youth information workers are able to instantly share vital youth information with each other at the click of a button. This can then be passed on to the young people that visit one of the 300 youth information points. What an incredibly powerful opportunity to ensure thousands of young people can receive the same information no matter where they are or who they are?

   I was also impressed by Finland’s development of youth media groups; facilitated to report on local events, democracy and activities from their own perspective. This model previously existed in Wales under the CLIConline network, where, impressively, all 22 local authorities in Wales had a youth information website led by a group of young reporters creating the content, which showed the way for Finland to follow. Unfortunately the majority of the network has felt the impact of the austerity measures, and only a few sites remain. Previously virtually connected, the few remaining sites now stand alone, operating independently from one another. I couldn’t help reflecting on the need for a youth communications network whilst in Helsinki, feeling a sense of loss and questioning why, in Wales, have we taken a step backwards, whilst others, like Finland, have used our examples to go forward?”
   

   

   ProMo-Cymru hosted EYRICA training committee in 2010 — Mike Conroy – Lecturer Youth and Community – University Newport in Caerleon. Imre Simon – European Youth Information and Councelling Network, Alexandra Beweiss, Director POYWE, Austria, Johan Bertels, Belgium. Lecturer University of Bruges, Mika Pieltila, Koordinatti – Youth Information Finland

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    I felt a real understanding when talking to youth workers from the Koordinaatti organisation in Finland about the importance of a youth reporter model in encouraging young people to have a voice.  The Finnish really seem to be embracing digital technology to improve the youth voice and democracy through their website.  It’s a platform where young people can post an initiative, then others can vote for or against it. Each initiative is fed into the relevant departments of the Finnish Government creating a direct link between young people and decision makers.

   “I left the conference feeling inspired with the use of digital communication to improve young people’s access to information, to share news and views and its ability to create the link between young people and decision makers.”

   It has made me reflect a lot about what we are doing here in Wales. Many youth information centres have closed as well as the online National Youth Information platform (CLIConline) run by ProMo-Cymru. However, it’s important to highlight that the Welsh Government funded project Meic.Cymru is strong and growing. It is the national information, advice and advocacy line for children and young people in Wales, impressively open 8am- midnight, 365 days a year. We shared this example at the conference as an example of best practice as well as the success of theSprout.co.uk. It seemed that our services are ahead of the game in terms of how to engage a wide number of young people, but perhaps we can learn more about how they connect better with decision makers?

   I am continually reminded that digital information is important through various reports, literature and examples of best practice I read and hear about. I believe strongly that we can use digital technology to increase participation, improve accessibility to democracy and to provide information on a wide scale.

   It seems that in this ‘digital era’ there should be no excuse to making the access to information easier, fairer and more equal.

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   Want to get in touch with us about anything you’ve read in this article?
   Everything starts with a conversation, so contact us.

5. 3 Reasons To Use Captions and Subtitles

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 18th May 2016

   If you’re producing a video, it’s a bit of a no-brainer to use captions and subtitles, because:

   1. They help people understand your video

   2. Lots of people use them

   3. It helps your video be found online

   When it comes to subtitles, most of us think that they are just for people with hearing difficulties – but this is only one of the reasons that they are used.

   What’s the difference between captions and subtitles?

   Captions describe all audio information. This includes the words spoken, as well as sound effects and music. They are sometimes called closed captions.

   Subtitles are a text format of the words actually spoken. They are great for anyone who wants to clarify what is being said. That includes people who are slightly hard of hearing or are watching in a busy office with the volume turned off. They’re also great for anyone who is learning a new language or if the videos is in their second language.

   

   Why should I bother with subtitles?

   Increasingly, multimedia content is consumed on small devices like tablets and mobile phones. Adding captions or subtitles to your media content means that the user can watch your video on the bus without disturbing others, or having to guess whether an actor is crying or laughing.

   Ofcom, the regulatory body for UK television broadcasting, conducted a study of subtitle use in 2006 and found that of the 7.5 million people in the UK who use TV subtitles, six million have no hearing impairment at all. You can see the full report here.

   They also improves SEO, which helps more people find your videos and increases your views.

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   ProMo-Cymru uses captions in all its videos. This is for the 3 reasons outlined above and because we work bilingually in English and Welsh. If you’d like to know more about using subtitles in your work or would like to explore working bilingually in video, please get in contact.

6. Got a story for FamilyPoint Cymru?

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 1st Feb 2016

   

   Over the last couple of months, FamilyPoint has been working with professionals and families to create interesting and relevant content on the website.

   Our article on saving money on heating bills was suggested by the Y-Bont family group in Gwynedd. Parent groups in Rhyl, Nelson and Newtown asked for help to understand tax credits.

   As well as meeting parents, we have also been working with professionals to develop video content.  We have so far interviewed an NHS counsellor about depression and an benefits adviser about Universal Credit (videos coming soon).

   All our news articles are written in a clear, easy to understand format to provide families with the information they need and point them to where they can get support.

   Do you have an idea for a story?  Or would you like the FamilyPoint team to meet with your parent group or organisation to tell us about what issues matter most to you?

   We want to hear from you – whether you’re a parent/carer, a professional or organisation.

   Drop us a line at info@familypoint.cymru or fill in our contact form.

7. Sprout @ Christmas & 2016’s New Shoots

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 27th Jan 2016

   

   TheSprout featured all sorts of festive fun during Christmas 2015, but also highlighted the more difficult side of Christmas.

   We had everything from panto interviews and written reviews of The Nutcracker and The Snow Queen, to a personal video about one young person’s struggles at Christmas.

   2016 means a brand new website for theSprout, a new printed zine, and lots more opportunities for young people – some here.

   Young people can help guide theSprout by leaving a comment whenever, coming to an Editorial Group meet-up and/or by filling in a Satisfaction Survey.

8. ProMo continues partnership with Renew Wales

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 25th Jan 2016

   Renew Wales has secured further funding from Big Lottery until March 2018.

   This new funding will allow ProMo-Cymru and other organisations to continue engaging with community groups in Wales on environmental projects.

   

   Sherry Martin, Renew Wales Programme Manager had this to say about the work ProMo has done so far:

   “You find interesting projects and demonstrate a passion for the work we do. You have had an amazing year with us, supporting many projects and undertaking additional projects and special requests from us. We like your proactiveness in engaging with the communities and appreciate the work you do in the production of films.”

   Here’s a short video about the range of projects we supported with last year.

   If your group would like to start an environmental project, please get in touch.

9. Ebbw Vale Institute ushers in a busy new year

   by Dayana Del Puerto | 22nd Jan 2016

   After a quiet Christmas period, Ebbw Vale Institute is starting to get busy in the new year.

   We have a host of tributes booked for the first part of the year, starting with A Foreigners Journey on 13 February and a Clash tribute (London Calling) on the 27 February.

   

   We also have a Prince’s Trust DJ night on 26 February.

   On 11 March, we will be featuring The Jam DRC and on 9 April we have Nirvana UK. We return to original music on 6 May with The Burning Crows.

   We have seen many local and international bands recording at our studio, these include Welsh legend Bryn Yemm, Indie stalwart John Watts (Fischer z) and Burning Crows.

   We also have an array of birthdays, christenings and weddings booked for remainder of year.

   For a detailed list of what’s on, check out this page. Or if you like to hire the venue, please contact us.

10. Megan’s Story video a huge success

    by Dayana Del Puerto | 20th Jan 2016

    Our “Megan’s Story” video was hugely successful in highlighting the problem of bullying faced by young people in Wales and how Meic can support them.

    

    The video, produced as a follow-up to the Someone On Your Side video, had a lot of interest from young people online as well as the news media.

    This has led to a three-fold increase in the number of contacts about bullying to the Meic helpline.

    Young people who got in touch Meic about the problems they faced left very positive feedback about the support they’ve received from us:

     

    “Thank you so much for your time and for being so kind, I think I will be able to sleep tonight now. Night,night”

     

    “I feel stronger knowing i have you to talk to and to give me ideas”

     

    “Wedi helpu lot a dwi’n gwbod beth yw neid nawr, diolch / It helped a lot and I know what to do, thanks”

     

    “Was very helpful and on a scale of 1-10, I would give 9”

     

    There has also been a very positive response from young people taking part in a survey about young people’s involvement in Meic.

    Although many hadn’t heard of Meic prior to watching the video, most have now said they might be interested in becoming involved especially by promoting Meic through social media.