The Weston Spirit Inspiration for the future
About DecAid TWS are inviting youth organisations throughout the UK, to take part in an exciting and innovative IT project called DecAid (an idea born out of our 10th year celebrations in 1998). DecAid has 3 phases:- a. The Application Process This will require youth organisations and their young people working within their communities to form teams of 10 people. Each team applying must comprise 5 young people, aged 15-19 years, plus 5 influential/famous people supporting their local communities (e.g. Sports Stars, Actors/Actresses, Councillors, MPs, Individuals from the Education System, Captains of Industry etc.) Influential in the respect of how well they will be able to promote DecAid and its aims. (The more famous and/or influential the better.) · Completion of application form · Each application will be assessed against the criteria laid out in the application form. · Ten successful teams will receive, at no cost to themselves, the necessary equipment (Computers, ISDN Lines, Videoconferencing & Internet facilities worth £2,000 +) to enable them to communicate and interact with each other, like never before, without leaving their communities, in a self developmental training day. · Two teams will be chosen to be on our reserve list. b. DecAid "The Training Day" Via the above IT equipment and any other suitable communications medium, TWS will deliver & co-ordinate a training event from a central point in Liverpool to the 10 successful teams' community bases. There will be support on site from a Weston Spirit facilitator supported by a nominated facilitator from the youth organisation. Development Training TWS is committed to the ethos of Development Training, a process of active learning from experience, leading to systematic and purposeful development of the whole person - body, mind and action. It enhances the individual effectiveness by evoking a sense of purpose, developing coping and learning skills and increasing self-understanding. The training delivered on the day will demonstrate how development training encourages people to explore their thoughts and feelings as well as their actions. The tasks will fall into various categories including, mental puzzles, creative tasks, community tasks and team challenges. A Weston Spirit staff member will be at each team's location during the event to act as a facilitator and offer general support. c. Grant Legacy The project will leave a legacy. This will mean each team that successfully takes part in the training day receives a grant of £2,000 towards the further running costs of the IT equipment. This should be used to help further each organisation's involvement in developmental training through the use of the IT equipment. Overall Aim of DecAid. Engage cutting edge Youth Work with cutting edge Information Technology. Specific Aims 1.To give 50 young people the opportunity of a lifetime. 2. To invest in eleven progressive youth organisations. 3. To give new and continuing access to new technology and cutting edge developmental training, to countless other young people and members of their communities. 4. To promote the positive image of young people. 5. To gain recognition and understanding of the concept of developmental training amongst decision makers and voluntary youth organisations. 6. To upgrade the general public's concept of informal education. 7. To enable young people to interact as part of a team with adults who are successful on an equal level. 8. To network the views and opinions of geographically and culturally diverse communities throughout the UK. 9. To benefit young people socially excluded because of their culture, disability, geographical location or educational background. 10. To highlight DecAid's sponsors, supporters and the TWS's positive and progressive commitment to young people and their communities. Summary DecAid will help to foster more effective support for young people whilst they grow up within their communities, as well as giving voluntary organisations, their young people and their wider communities access to new technology whilst it is still "state of the art". It will also help to improve the image and credence given to youth work as we enter the new millennium. Timetable of Events · Closing date for receipt of completed applications by TWS. 8 Sept 1999 · Notification of selection of teams. Oct 1999 Delivery of equipment to successful teams. Nov/Dec 1999 · IT training and Networking prior to DecAid "The Training Day" . Nov 1999 to Feb 2000 · DecAid "The Training Day". 2 Feb 2000 · Initial Review of "DecAid" The Training Day (Using IT equipment) Aug 2000 · Final Review Feb 2001