The Soho Finger Neighbourhood Forum team, who are in the process of developing an online space, seem to be the link between services / information and residents. They are residents too and so have a more vested interest in what is said and wanted by local people. We showed them some of the more direct tools available online such as the range of services available from My Society.

A few issues regarding the community were raised during the introductions so I attempted some hands on examples of how technology could be used for such matters. I recorded a quick interview with local resident, Reg Everall, who was concerned about the growing problem of bird droppings.

He felt this is on the increase due to the lack of awareness of the consequences of feeding the birds scraps of food. If the community was made aware that the not only was it causing an increase of bird droppings but also not good for them, the problem could be eradicated. Reg suggested leaflets in a few languages (Soho has a diverse ethnic community mix) which could be locally distributed. I suggested that maybe having the same leaflet available online along with some audio version might increase awareness as well as provide a resource for other neighbourhoods to use.

So I was using technology for a number of things here. Initially, to record concerns by local residents, which I uploaded and shared with others at the event in a matter of seconds. I also embedded this into a page I created on the day, quickly and easily, using free tools (There are many simple tools to enable residents to express themselves online). I then suggested how technology could be used to help solve the problem. A leaflet could be produced, with a simple sentence in the main 3 or 4 languages of the neighbourhood. “Please! Do not feed the birds”. I found a leaflet used by Stroud MBC for this very purpose (pdf). With the right links, a few other language versions could be reproduced and also replicated online. The message could also be recorded by local residents in other languages and feature prominently on a Soho related website. All this could be produced very quickly, easily and cost effectively.

Here’s the page I created on the day to quickly take a snapshot of what was happening at the time: http://bit.ly/sohocomm

The tools I used on the day were: wrrtn.me for a place to put the content I created, audioboo.fm where I uploaded the interview, recorded on my phone, bambuser.com where I streamed some live video from the event.

Five Minute Mentors from bounder on Vimeo.

Progress is continuing on five minute mentors, our online mentoring website supported by Becta — here we are using the site to do a quick practise mentoring session. The site isn’t quite user-friendly enough for our liking yet (some tweaks needed — you can for example arrange a session in the past) but the video calling is working really well.

The private beta is involving existing learning groups, however informal — so if you’re a learning provider or group member and think that secure, quick online mentoring could help give us a shout and we can set you up.

We Share Stuff recently received funding from Becta as part of the Learning Revolution to develop a web based group mentoring service — it’s called Five Minute Mentors and is based around the idea of quick video chats.

5 Minute Mentors enables co-mentoring within existing groups: Individuals request help and advice from other group members on specific topics. This takes place outside of the meeting/learning schedule and both mentor and mentee can choose the best available time slot for their conversation. All sessions are limited to five minutes ensuring minimal time outlay for both parties. Privacy and security are priorities and the application ensures no personal information is given out unwittingly by either party.

5MM aims to promote shared knowledge, improving the learning experience for all.

We’re looking for existing learner groups to be involved at this early stage. As part of the pilot for the project we are actively looking for suitable groups – at all levels of ability, subject knowledge and technical know-how – to help us fully beta-test the application, iron out any functional issues and provide feedback for improvements to the finished service. Our development costs are covered by the funding, so any involvement of your organisation in this project would not require any financial outlay by you or the group members/learners testing the service.

We’re blogging all about the development over at fiveminutementors.com.

Each session was for four hours with around six people — with two trainers. We originally thought that that would be plenty of time and that boredom would be setting in by then — but there wasn’t a session where we wouldn’t have liked to extend just a touch. After some very brief introductions, the first thing we did in each session was to divide into groups of two and play the Social Media Game.

The game is a great way for people to start thinking about the big picture of the social web, how different tools, techniques and ideas work alongside each other — and it also acts as a way to quickly see some of the options that are available. We’ve been playing the game slightly differently; smaller groups (so we can make sure everyone has grasped the concepts behind the cards), tighter questions which the teams can alter to more closely reflect their real situations, and we’ve done an updated set of cards (which you can download here to use or alter yourselves).

After this we worked more directly with each person and started them going on something that might prove immediately useful to them: starting a blog was a popular one, as was learning how to monitor the social web. But the main idea is just to have a go — that might be Facebook, Twitter or even a quick video cast (shot on iPhone so excuse the appalling sound):

We’re hopefully going to be doing some follow up sessions to see how people are getting on… will keep you posted

What’s your idea?

An online system that sends out reminders by SMS (whatever online communication suits the young person) helping them to keep track of order restrictions, meetings, appointments, commitments.

It would be managed in conjunction with case workers and could offer tailored ‘nudges’ (for example reminders of appointments the night before) — and also more detailed advice (perhaps public transport info).

What is the problem your idea could address?

In our work with NEETs time management is a reoccurring problem, the young people have any number of important appointments but no regular routine — this would offer a collaborative way of helping them to organise themselves.

What’s really new about your idea?

It recognises the difficulty in adjusting to taking responsibility for scheduling themselves — and allows case workers help in that process. It’s also a way of offering help at the points it’s most needed.

What kind of impact will your idea make?

Missing appointments can have a big effect on how young people integrate with society, the lack of routine of work or study often leads them to miscalculate how long journeys take or how much rest they need. Often they will not manage money well enough to complete transport options — this is another way the app could help.

Why might people want to commission or pay for your idea?

Missed appointments also cost organisations working with young people time and resources. It’s possible that promoting public transport or health (walking options) could raise funds from the appropriate bodies.

What do you think the biggest challenge will be to making this work in practice?

Commitment from the case workers to use a new system alongside their existing methods, and getting the tone right so young people feel ownership of the system.

What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?

When working young offenders (we do a number of training courses using social media) it’s obvious that time management is a big factor. Those from Youth Offending Teams spend an awful lot of time an effort in making sure the young people are in the right place at the same time.

From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea was in?

This idea is at stage 1.

What can we do for you?

This project needs staff time and partners, and also a web development. If the app was to be produced then buy-in from the Youth Offending Teams would be crucia l — so access to people who could help that would be

If you’re not able to take the idea onward after the weekend, would you be happy for someone else to take ownership of your idea and move it forward?

Yes.

Here it is:

Usual Suspects

What’s your idea?

In a similar vein to ‘The Big Issue’ Young people are offered the chance to earn money by selling garments they design, online. They do a basic training course on industry and design then get to design clothes (thinking t-shirts, baseball caps only at present), basic marketing – they get to set the price and have their own online shop – profits are split between them and the company (if it was to become a social enterprise).  Should the participant re-offend, they can no longer participate in the project.

What is the problem your idea could address?

This idea would address unemployment & self esteem.

What’s really new about your idea?

It gives young people a real opportunity to understand the potential of entrepreneurship and do something for themselves. Gets them thinking outside of the usual industry options that are offered.

What kind of impact will your idea make?

There are many young people who are willing to take opportunity to move forward and so if the project can attract the ‘do-ers’, in the first instance. These young people can then become role models / peer mentors to others. Numbers wise, it would be low to begin with but there’s no reason why this project couldn’t become nationwide.

Why might people want to commission or pay for your idea?

Once the process is visualised, I believe it offers an exciting opportunity to really make a difference. There is potential to approach both public and private sector for support.

What do you think the biggest challenge will be to making this work in practice?

Overcoming a reluctant, low on confidence, client group. This is why engaging the ‘do-er’s at an early stage is crucial.

What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?

A project we deliver to young offenders using social media. Part of the project was to raise awareness of the possibilities of starting their own businesses. I thought this could maybe  be moved a step closer to reality.

From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea was in?

This idea is at stage 1.

What can we do for you?

This project needs staff time and partners. There are plenty of ‘off the shelf’ products to choose from in terms of any online shop options. Time would be important to find willing testers from probably youth offending teams, highlighting the ‘do-er’s. Also, securing a bespoke training package will require time.

If you’re not able to take the idea onward after the weekend, would you be happy for someone else to take ownership of your idea and move it forward?

Yes, but I am quite keen for our organisation to be involved in some way.

http://jailbrake.org/