Image by Pink Sherbert Photography on Flickr

While our fingertips may be numb with the current Siberian snap in the air, believe it or not, it's springtime, Celtic style! (Cue daffodils to start bursting up like mad wee yellow men!) February 1st marks Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day a celebration or hearth and home.

SpunOut is happily springing forward with a few exciting thoughts!

- We're about to welcome 2 new people to our Team! woooooooooooo!

- Our mobile FIND HELP in IRELAND app is about to launch! wooooooooooo!

- Our Facebook fan base crossed the 19,000 fan mark! woooooooooooooooooo!

Are you looking forward to...

A good read?

The DL on meeting the Minister This week, representatives of SpunOut.ie were engaged in very intense discussions with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs...

A good eat?

Pancakes are good for the soul! Is it Christmas? Is it my birthday? No, it’s PANCAKE TUESDAY...

Something cool to do with SpunOut this spring?

Email info@spunout.ie with your name, availability and interests to express interest in work experience or volunteering!

A fresh perspective?

Finding flowers in the urban jungle If you are living in a city or town, it’s not always easy to get out in nature...

A good job?

Have you met the Jobfairy? Finding work in Ireland can be a challenge, as we know all too painfully well! There are traditional ways of finding work and there are others...

Something good to do for others?

Giving blood is giving life You could literally save a life. Blood transfusions are life saving procedures...

Trying something totally different?

Get your Reiki on! Reiki aims to unblock stagnant or negative energy in the body. t is based on the belief that universal energy (ki) flows through seven chakras in the body...

Stay warm and well, and keep those thoughts focused on the sunshine and activity to come!

- The SpunOut Crew

Image from Lulu Hoeller on Flickr

 Engaging with politicians isn't always easy, no matter your age!

This week, representatives of SpunOut.ie were engaged in very intense discussions with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs about what SpunOut's all about and all the great stuff it's doing for young people in Ireland... ha! Well, that's not how this article is going to go because I'm here to give you the down low on what really went on in a particular discussion room in Leinster House.

Well to begin with, I had no preconceptions of what our meeting with the Minister would be like, I was ready for any situation, happy to represent young people and get my points across.

Cut to the actual meeting: In the meeting room there was the Minister, Francis Fitzgerald, her two advisers, Will (the man who arranged the meeting), our very own Manus Hanratty and Marie Duffy, and yours truly. I don't remember exactly the order of the conversation but it went something like, Manus introducing us and explaining what we're about; Marie talking about her experience with SpunOut; and me speaking whenever I felt was appropriate as “an average young person.”

I'm going to give you my own character analysis of the Minister, as she came across to me. I'll be honest and say I expected her to be a little more interested in me as a young person. I felt like her attitude towards me was more like I was a young child with little understanding of “grown ups business” and no real opinion. It came across as patronising. It didn't feel like she made any effort to involve me in the general flow of the conversation which was mainly dominated with facts and figures about the website and what do we do that sets us apart. I don't at all think this was intentional on her part, I think she is just unaccustomed to relating to young adults in any situation, which is worrying seeing as she is our voice in the government. I understand that her business-like, straight-to-the-point style of conversing is only necessary in such a situation when there is much to be discussed and little time but her abrupt change of tone when she was talking to me made it clear she didn't see me in any way on the same level as the other adults in the room.

I was disappointed with how little she validated that I had an opinion on what they were discussing, after all I am her “target audience.” If I was her I would have used the time to get as much information on today's young people as possible. I finally did butt in towards the end of the meeting and voiced the point that she needs to make herself and the workings of her department more known to us the youth and make sure we know when there is something we can have a say in. Basically we have no idea who she is or what she does and we bloody well should. But even her response to this was along the same lines as what you would say to a child when they show you a drawing looking for your approval and you have to pretend like its beautiful when really you have not a clue what it is. You know the tone I'm talking about? Well that's how she spoke to me. I felt like my (valid) point had been trivialised and she was just trying to make me feel better and like I'd contributed to the conversation in some way.

I totally get how in her head she would think that by raising her eyebrows and smiling encouragingly at me it would make me feel like she was listening and taking in what I was saying but I found it frustrating beyond belief. Maybe she did listen to what I was saying but it didn't at all feel like it, which only reinforces the fact that although she has “a background in social work” she is clearly totally un-used to dealing with teenagers.

She of all people should be putting herself out there and getting right into youth culture, trying to understand us and our needs and what is happening right now. This can not happen when she purely relies on the Chinese whispers that passes from actual teenagers through person after person until it finally reaches her. A watered down version of the truth is no good! Brave the elements and engage with us, we don't bite. Furthermore, you have a formal invitation to my school.
 

Speaking purely as part of the SpunOut delegation, all dis-satisfaction with the minister aside, the meeting left me feeling indifferent. I hope this feeling is not justified because I want to think that we made an impression on her and her encouraging words weren't just routine. It's hard to tell, although she did accept our gift of the SpunOut “Find Help in Ireland” app and made it clear that the work SpunOut does is of high importance and value. The meeting definitely had a positive sheen to it and things look bright for SpunOut in the future.

Viva Ferguson

How to lobby a politician

Anger is NOT a dirty word!

3 inspiring young activists speak out

Today we hopped on board the mechanical bull that is the Irish political machine to meet the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald (pictured centre). We are happy to report that we survived! Phew! Also grabbing some camera time was the Dáil's youngest current serving TD, Simon Harris. Picturd to the far left is Manus Hanratty, SpunOut CEO, mental health campaigner, Marie Duffy (next to Minister Fitzgerald) and transition year students Ciara Walsh and Viva Ferguson (far right).
 

Issues discussed included: youth protection, improving the way young people are able to know about and engage with the Minister for Youth and Children, youth mental health, and lack of public spaces.
 

If you have a message you'd like us to pass on to the Minister, it's not too late: https://www.facebook.com/SpunOut.ie?sk=app_259052907501515
 

- The SpunOut Crew

So we've been blabbing for several weeks now about our 2 exciting vacancies for a Communications Officer and Youth Engagement Officer. Hey, having some positive news to inject into the jobs in Ireland babble/ rabble/ scrabble is something we've had fun doing!

But, alas, the deadline for both positions is midnight this Friday! Apply ASAP!

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to apply already. There are so many talented young people out there; applications have been stellar! We look forward to meeting some of the super shining stars soon...

- The SpunOut Crew

what a t image

Did you know that - one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer is not having had a smear test? But, (phew), regular screening stops cervical cancer before it starts.

TODAY, SpunOut challenges all young women in Ireland to make an appointment to have a smear test. Yes, TODAY. Go for it, and your nether regions will love you for it!

One little test could save your life.

• Arrange to have a free one (if you're age 25 and up)

• Book an appt with your GP
  

• Visit any number of womens health centres, like the Dublin Well Woman Centre

More info

• What's it like having a smear test?

• How often does a young wan get a smear test?

• What up with the HPV shot in Ireland?

• Check out the Pap Reminder Tool. It sends you an email to remind you when you're due for your next test - handy dandy!

Be happy. Be healthy. Be nice to your cervixes!

- The SpunOut Crew

BBC3 has asked SpunOut to get involved in making a documentary! It's about how young people in Ireland (ages 18-35) have been affected by the economic crisis. They are looking to tell the story through experiences of young people in Ireland, rather than through interviews with economics experts...

Topics they are interested in exploring are emigration, unemployment, mental health, debt, community activism and civic engagement...

Want to take part? Register your interest NOW.

And remember, if you want to have your story or views published ASAP, write an article to be published on SpunOut.ie. We welcome a wide variety of topics, opinions, rants and raves.

minty fresh faces

Listen to his interview on The John Murrary Show for the full exciting story! http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=9:3164187:4502:11-01-2012:

Get Info on the Council of State: http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=16&lang=eng

Read Media Coverage

Seven are appointed to Council of State

Council of State named

Watch Ruairi give an inspiring talk and call for action

Home screen with find help link and advice articles

Search for organisations by name and county.

Directly call service from your device or load directions if connected to the internet.

Read articles offering advice for difficult on the spot situations.

Store description

Find low cost and free help services across Ireland with the SpunOut.com mobile app. Quickly find and access information on services related to bereavement, addiction, abuse, sexuality, loneliness, illness, emergencies, careers and more.

The app can be used even when not connected to the internet and the service listings will be continually updated and improved by SpunOut. Included with the app are a number of articles outlining steps to take if you find yourself in unfamiliar situations and needing advice. Articles include information on what to do if feeling depressed, motivating yourself to exercise, bullying, saving money, self confidence worries, coming out and contraception.

This is the first attempt Irish Charity SpunOut.com have made at an app and we would be happy to hear your feedback regarding bugs, look, functionality etc. Just email us at apps@SpunOut.ie

Why, oh why?

The short of it: We're developing and expanding in new exciting directions!

The long of it:

• Non rush hour traffic. Forum activity has dropped over the last year
• Exciting new fronts. We're engaging with increasing numbers of young people via: our new open commenting system on articles; being able to submit articles; our Facebook page (with more than 17,000 Facebook fans); Twitter (2,270 followers).
• Killer mobile app. Our new app is almost ready! It will provide young people with accessible information and signposting to services on important issues such as sexual health, alcohol, drugs, relationships and mental health.

Other great services to check out

When we first launched our Forum there was little in the way of innovative, youth-friendly, online, anonymous and after-hours support available to young people in Ireland. Thankfully, although big gaps remain, this has changed a lot and great new services have been launched by organisations such as:

Aware, Bodywhys, RehabCare, Turn2Me, NOSP, Headstrong, BelongTo, the ISPCC, Samaritans and the Inspire Foundation. 

We will continue to promote the work of other organisations and signpost our large user base (over 600,000 visits per year) to the appropriate supports via our factsheets, searchable support database, and social nets.

3 cheers for Forum peeps!

Thanks to everyone who has supported the SpunOut.ie Discussion Forum over the years - Mods, members, and trolls alike! We look forward to working with you further as we continue to grow our online community and take things to the next level of innovation!

- The SpunOut Crew

cool pic

Blah blah blah. Enough with the new year harassment already!

Fact is, the current you is perfectly lovely! Amazing, actually. Seriously. We don't have to earn the right to feel 'good enough'. We're already more than good enough, even if our habits may be sloppy and excessive at times. Sure, we all may have things we want to change, and this can be a good thing, a way to grow, get healthy, make passion turn to action.

But, a January self esteem bash isn't doing anyone favours. Tough love like that is just stupid and the results of self-inflicting nastiness is likely to make you feel worse in the long run anyway, even if you quit the fags or lost the beer belly or whatever.

Rather than beating yourself with the guilt stick, why not take a few mins to take stock and think about how things are going in your life, the good AND the bad. You can change anything you put your heart and mind to and live the life you want. So what does that life look like? How do you make it happen? Who can support you along the way?

More Qs:

• How could I treat myself better?

• Is there anything or anyone holding me back or down that I need to let go of?

• What do I have going on that's good in my life?

• When am I happiest?

• Who would I like to bring into my life?

• How do I want the next year to be?

• If I had only 5 years left to live, what would I want to be sure I did or experienced?

Food for thought. Yum yum.

 Mr T