One day, One time, One place 54321! What now?

This Saturday marked the beginnings of the 2008 What Now extravaganza, based at the Plungington Youth and Community Centre in Preston. The day itself was a two parter:

First of all there was the hard part, with workshops that were organised for us to help create What Now services for young people in Lancashire. Activities we participated in were: Web Design, Photography, Graphic Design and Creative Writing, each with the purpose of improving the What Now information service.

Then came the fun part!! With the choice of DJing, Graffiti art, Music Writing and a Dance workshop, you were absolutely spoilt for choice, you’d done the hard work now was the time for the hard play. For all the work we had done, What Now had arranged for these to come in for us as a reward.

The best bits of the day were without a doubt:
Dinnertime – With good food and a great desert this was definitely one of the high points of the day
Photography – Learning how to take a good photo is much harder then it sounds but with a great mentor it was made easy to make a shot composition.

Blog Design – The main focus of this workshop was to design the What Now Blog, with a little help from Daz we redesigned the site you are reading this on.All in all these reporters thought that the day rated about 9 out of 10, it’s only downfall being that it wasn’t longer.

Nina Spot
Throughout the day, Nina was busy rushing about trying to keep the day in order, but nobody could find her! She would appear and disappear, as if by magic. Next year, we should make another workshop called “Where’s Nina?” (A variation on hide and seek).

Though I think we all owe her and the rest of the staff a big round of applause for the hard work that went into this years Consultation day!

Article written by: Kyle Murphy and Luke Greenwood.
Photographs taken by all the young people who came along on the day

The What Now? 2007 Consultation day is upon us again.

Doesn’t a year go quickly? The What Now? Young Person’s Consultation Event is upon us again and we hope its going to be the best one yet!!

The event is being held at Plungington Youth and Community Centre on Saturday the 28th of April 2007.

The aim of the day is to bring young people from all around Lancashire together to help us produce our new products for 2008. Those who attend will take an active part in writing, designing and taking photography for our Handbook, CD Rom and Website. As well as this, you can get involved in some fun and creative activities including DJing, MCing, Dance, Graffiti Art, Photography, Writing and Web Design workshops.

There are many advantages to attending the event. The things you write and the photographs you take will be put forward to be included within the book, website and CD-Rom. If you choose, your name and a group photo will be printed in the book to show that you have been involved in the production of it. Best of all, you will receive a personalised copy of the 2008 handbook and certificate recognising your participation – something you can include in your record of achievement.

So come along and enjoy the great activities and the scummy food!!

To book places and get more information about the day contact Nina Shaw on nina.shaw@ed.lancscc.gov.uk

How should the blog develop?

What is a Blog?
A blog is an on line diary or log about a particular subject. Ideas are posted on the blog and readers post their views and comments for others to read and comment on.

Why does What Now? Have a blog?
What now? Has a blog as a way of asking users and young people what they think about a particular idea, service or suggestion. It provides us with a quick way of consulting with young people about services and allows them a quick and easy way to tell us what they think about our services. It also allows young people to put forward ideas and suggestion of their own.

Your views
We want the blog to be used by young people and relevant to them. to achieve this we need your views on the following:

• Would you use a blog?
• What do you think is good about using a blog?
• What do you think is bad about using a blog?
• Do you think they are a good way for young people to communicate?
• What content would you like to see on the blog?
• Do you think we should have a monthly conversation topic for other young people to comment on?
• Do you think young people should submit and write the article each month?

Please let us know what you think by posting your comments below.

Calling all current and perspective youth advisors..

• Do you have opinions on any of What Now’s services?
• Ideas for new services?
• Do you use our services?
• Do want to have a real say in the development of our services?
• Are you between 13 – 19 years old?
 Then read on as we are planning two events in the coming year…