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January 2009: Shining on through the darkness

Blog: Our monthly newsletter: The heart of SpunOut.ie.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: ‘The heart of SpunOut.ie’

SpunOut.ie National Youth Organisation working to empower young people
by providing them with information, resources and opportunities to affect positive personal and social change.


2008 was an absolutely huge year for SpunOut.ie. After spending the previous few years in development mode, we well and truly made our mark on the national stage. Enter 2009! The SpunOut.ie crew arrived back to work this January with a big bang after the holidays, excited and buzzed up about what the year is going to hold. 2009 will see us maintain this pace, improve upon what we do and blaze a trail to ensure young people get the information, support and opportunities they need and deserve. 

Busy bees – What we got up to this month . . .

Doom and gloom won’t hold us back
As many politicians, companies and state agencies struggle with the current mix of social and economic pressures, SpunOut.ie sent out a strong message that we are up for the challenge of these changing times. Click here to read more.


Nominated for an Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award
As mentioned in The Irish Independent, ‘SpunOut.ie soared to dizzying new heights’ with our nomination for this award. The Ulster Bank film crew joined and filmed the team at work this month as part of the judging process. It’s remarkable to realise we have been shortlisted from nearly 400 entries nationally down to 28. Fingers crossed on March 12th for us!

‘Beat Blue Monday’ campaign makes a huge impact!  
SpunOut.ie received huge widespread national, regional and local coverage reaching millions across Ireland during our 'Beat Blue Monday' campaign calling for people to take control of their mental health.  More info here.



Supporting 2fm: The development of a new youth health show
This month saw the beginning of our collaborations with 2FM's 'The Fix' a pilot health and lifestyle show aimed at young people. Both teams met in RTE this month to discuss how we can work together in reaching, engaging  and helping the youth of Ireland. Four SpunOutters were involved in an initial pilot launch on the topic of 'Growing up on the internet'. More information to come later!
 
Recruiting now! Advocacy Internship with NUIG and SpunOut.ie
SpunOut.ie has agreed a new Advocacy Internship with NUIG - CKI initiative  For more info on this internship click here.

Nominated for a Digital Media Award
Although we all know awards are not the be all and end all, it is still fantastic that SpunOut.ie is being acknowledged on a national level in this way. Launched in 2003, The Digital Media Awards were engineered to raise awareness of the emerging digital media sector in Ireland. Awards taking place on February 13th in Dublin.  

Gaining widespread media coverage reaching over half a million people in January

To name a few:

Credits roll up on the SpunOut.ie - Credit Union video clip competition: A whopping €10,000 dished out to winners!

This jointly run competition was a super success truly rousing the creative juices of young people across the nation. SpunOut.ie showcased the winning videos this month.  To see the 60 second video clips, click on this link. A huge congratulations to the winners from the SpunOut.ie team!


Five wonderful SpunOut.ie Frontpage Campaigns

Each campaign highlighted an issue of importance to young people. This month featured:

  • New year NO new you: Lets all stop being so hard on ourselves!
  • Blast off the blues: Don't let the January blues get you down
  • Blue Monday: Beat the saddest day of the year, and take care of yourself in tough times
  • Yes YOU can: Believe in the difference you can make in your own life and the lives of others
  • Good Karma party: Celebrate doing good and help inspire others!


SpunOut.ie a positive force! Feedback from SpunOutters this month

"Thanks so much for the venting it really is making a big difference" Joe

"I just want to say thank you so much, my mother passed away after losing a battle with cancer two months ago and the one thing she always encouraged me to do was write. I know I have neglected writing over the past few months and it wasn't until I visited SpunOut today that I remembered just how much I love it and how good it makes me feel" Maire
"Thanks for taking a look at my stuff :) I wrote some of the stuff during the exams to destress myself... it helps! :D" Jonny

"I'd like to thank you all for your kind words. I hope to someday be able to share my advice back!"

"Thanks for all the advice man!! I'll try and apply it to my situation!!"

"I thank and applaud you foe your help.., and I hope this website can continue to give people the answers that they need!!!!!!"

"Thank you all once again for the positive comments and for putting a more positive and upbeat spin on things!!"

Looking for a good read? This is the place!

Powerful true life stories published this month:


Some interesting forum threads:


Looking forward to seeing what February holds for SpunOut.ie.  We’ll be back next month with an update!

We hope the new light of spring holds fresh energy, light and new beginnings for all of you.

The SpunOut.ie team: Anna, Eoghan, Emily, Susie, Ruairí, Ian and Willie.