Youth Work in a Digital Age Conference
July 14th, 9:15 - 16:30
(an Invite Only Event)

Social Media Matters

Social media matters for its impact on the lives of individual young people. It matters in its influence on local communities and politics. But how do we make sure it matters for the right reasons in work with young people?
The connections between social media and youth engagement are many and varied.

Social media is no longer something exceptional: it is part of everyday life. Sometimes social media is at the centre of discussions and we need to support young people with critical understandings of it. Social media can be a tool for practitioners, offering cheap, effective and high-impact ways to promote projects or influence change.
There are genuine concerns by many about the risks associated with how social media can be utilised by public services to engage with young people. However, to avoid a default position of inaction when it comes to using social media it is essential that the fears that practitioners and managers may have are fully addressed. Ignoring social media is not an option, its growth and usage will continue whether we as public services engage with it or not. The online debate has started and we need to be at that online table.
For services, its practitioners and managers, it is important that they know how to engage and feel confident in using social media as a tool to support and develop young people.
Sunderland Voluntary Sector Youth Forum with support from partners in the voluntary sector, local authority, universities and experts in the world of digital media are taking the lead with
the first Youth Work in a Digital Age conference in Sunderland.

ABOUT:
Youth Work Digital Conference will ask key questions about social media for youth engagement. It will share practice guidance, ideas and tips. It will provide opportunities for learning from experts and from each other. However complicated social media might seem at times, one thing is clear: services for young people can’t ignore it, they need to stay relevant in a connected world.
After attending the Youth Work Digital Conference youth work practitioners should feel more confident to take the learning into workplace.

AGENDA:
The conference will offer:
• Key note speakers including Tim Davies, Practical Participation and Convenor of Youth Work Online
• A drama performance from community arts charity ‘Them Wifies’ titled Unable to Connect
• 3 practical workshops, including reviewing a game for young people to use social media safely
• A market place with a variety of stalls including a showcase of work from young people from Sunderland VCS youth projects
• Access to post conference Action Learning Sets to ensure that key learning needs are met
• Excellent local, regional and national networking opportunities

The conference will cover:
• Prioritising digital skills – understanding how digital technology and social media affects young people’s lives
• Approaches to using digital technology safely – exploring ideas and strategies for using digital technology and social media for practitioners
• Resources, opportunities and challenges – mapping resources and opportunities, identifying gaps and challenges, and working collaboratively to address this.
Download the full agenda

Social Media Questionnaires

SVSYF are gathering data from young people to understand how and why they use the internet and how youth work organisations could engage with them. Please promote the young people’s questionnaire within your organisation (link here). Our aim is to engage with at least 500 young people (prize draw for young people offering £25 high street voucher).

We are also gathering views from practitioners working with young people and would like to ask you to complete the practitioners questionnaire below (please scroll down to access the entire questionnaire).
You can also access it via this link.