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Woohoo! SpunOut.ie wins major award
Thanks to all our friends, funders, supporters and volunteers!
Well, it’s official- SpunOut.ie rocks! The website recently received the top award in the Health Services Innovation Awards - Technology and Communications category.
HSE produced SpunOut.ie promo video featuring Youth Editors Tara McGarrigle and Paddy Duffy, staff members Ruairi, Anna and Keith and Steering Group chair Anne Sheridan - now live at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqlHi2poRKM
The award was presented by Minister for Health Mary Harney at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Wednesday October 11th. The annual awards scheme, which receives over 200 applications from throughout Ireland, recognises models of innovation and excellence in the health sector, and celebrates the quality systems and outstanding people behind them.
Why SpunOut.ie rocks:
Supporting young people
Since its launch 18 months ago, SpunOut.ie has been reaching tens of thousands of young people each month. SpunOut.ie provides a youth-friendly, accessible and quality one-stop source of information, support and help. It also gives young people a voice through quality youth media and advocacy. Topics covered include challenging issues such as sex, drugs, relationships, eating disorders, mental health and suicide as well as music, culture, the environment, education and work and much more. There's also a vibrant moderated community of discussion board users who you can get talking to now!
Giving young people a voice
To date, SpunOut.ie has directly involved hundreds of young people from throughout Ireland in having their voices heard by giving them decision making opportunities as well as a channel to publish their news, views, photos, art, audio and video in a safe and popular environment. Many SpunOutters have gone on to present at national conferences, feature on national TV and radio, write for newspapers and magazines, and represent youth issues to decision makers in the health, social and political arenas.
Only last Tuesday, October 10th, which was World Mental Health Day, SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Ian Howley reached over 1/2 million people from all walks of life when he spoke on 11 radio stations across Ireland. Ian spoke bravely about his experience of being gay, his 3 suicide attempts, and his journey to acceptance and now advocacy on behalf of others in the same position.
Partnership power!
SpunOut.ie is a true partnership effort between young people, the HSE, and youth and health agencies including representatives of Foroige and Youth Work Ireland. SpunOut.ie is used widely by teachers, lecturers, youth workers, parents and health professionals in their day to day work as it acts as an accessible, relevant and Irish based support for their work. SpunOut.ie is also currently forging partnerships with media outlets including the Donegal Democrat, who publish a weekly SpunOut.ie 'Youth Media Zone', as well as agencies including the new National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Super staff
SpunOut.ie is developed and managed by a dedicated and talented young staff team who operate within the 'Community Creations' youth health charity. They work directly with a Steering Group of representatives from the HSE and related youth and health agencies. These staff, who include a Coordinator, Online Editor and Promotional Officer, are based at offices in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and work hard to ensure the website is updated daily, well managed and promoted widely. The staff also coordinate the growing network of nationwide partners, advisors and volunteers. Recently, project Coordinator Ruairi McKiernan was presented with a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award by Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis for his efforts.
Making a difference
The successful impact that SpunOut.ie is having is clear. The website has been evaluated by The Centre for Health Promotion Studies at NUIG Galway and testimonies from young people, parents, teachers, youth workers and health professionals all indicate that SpunOut.ie is succeeding in making a huge difference to people's lives.
An exciting future >>>> The sky's the limit!!!! <<<<<
The future is bright for SpunOut.ie. Plans are underway for a new office, a site revamp, a nationwide promotional campaign and an online multi-media centre. The recipe of passion, partnership, youth participation and creativity combined with the hard work, vision and dedication of staff, supporters and volunteers means the sky is the limit for this exciting venture. Plans are also underway for a new HQ in Galway City.
Financial status
From the project's birth as a feasibility study in 2003, to its current status as a leader in online youth health, SpunOut.ie has struggled for funding. Without the goodwill, enthusiasm, hard work and self-belief of staff, volunteers and supporters, SpunOut.ie would not be here today. At times staff have gone without wages and continue to struggle to pay office and project costs on a month to month basis.
In order to survive, the SpunOut.ie team have taken on consultancy work, from web design to media training, as a way of supplementing grants and donations from various HSE Departments, including Health Promotion and the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Funding has also been received from agencies including ESB Electric Aid, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, the Dept. of Social and Family Affairs, Donegal Local Development Company and the Comunity Foundation for Ireland.
As it grows and develops, SpunOut.ie will attract sustainable funding and sponsorship from a range of sources. However, in order to realise the unlimited potential presented by SpunOut.ie as a force for change, the service urgently needs funding NOW to secure both its short-term and long-term future.
Get Involved
SpunOut.ie is a winning formula for impact and change. If you’re passionate about SpunOut.ie and want to get involved then we want to hear from you!
- Who can get involved:
All young people aged between 16 and 25. - What does involvement mean?
SpunOut.ie is youth led media, which means that young people direct the development of the website and create their own media.
Young people are involved on our youth editorial board, as designers and programmers, and as part of a growing panel of writers, photographers, artists, moderators, film makers and promoters.
Getting involved can mean telling us what you think of SpunOut.ie, writing, sending in artwork or photographs, interviewing people, taking part in SpunOut.ie competitions, having your say on the discussion boards, promoting the website and much more. Your level of involvement is up to you- there’s no pressure or expectations! Express your interest here!
Join a winning team
We're also keen to talk to potential funders, partners and sponsors who want to be part of this exciting revolution in youth-led health, info, media and advocacy. If you, or someone you know, are interested in finding out more please don't hesitate to contact us.
> Ruairi McKiernan, Co-Founder and Coordinator
086-8067415 / ruairi@spunout.ie
> Anne Sheridan, SpunOut.ie Steering Group Chair
HSE West Mental Health Promotion / Suicide Resource Officer
086-3404321 / anne.sheridan@mailb.hse.ie
