How we make a difference Our theory of change
The problem The period between the ages of 16 to 25 is one of enormous transition in a person’s life, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Many young people are not well supported through this period to deal effectively with these challenges and opportunities. In particular, there is a pronounced information deficit, with young people often receiving insufficient, incorrect and biased life information. Not having access to appropriate life information can lead to poor decisions, which can harm young people, leave them disempowered and lead to them not fulfilling their potential, both while they are still young and also as they get older.
The solution: information by young people, for young people Young People
SpunOut.ie
Outcomes
Are aware that they lack information
Non-Readers
Want to find information
Publicise site in a way that appeals to young people Stand out from the crowd
Young people feel more supported
Make effective use of former SpunOut.ie readers and volunteers
Work with relevant partners
Young People
SpunOut.ie
Outcomes
Are able to access SpunOut.ie
Provide an accessible, visually attractive, user-friendly site
Young people feel more supported
Provide authentic, credible, relevant, comprehensive, non-judgemental, holistic, meaningful information Consume information on SpunOut.ie
Highlight the use of professional and peer reviewers for quality assurance
Young people are more informed
Follow the ERYICA Principles of Online Youth Information
Passive Readers
Consult with relevant partners about the information needs of specific groups Be transparent Act on the information on SpunOut.ie
Provide information on possible next steps
Young people make more positive life choices
Young People
SpunOut.ie
Outcomes
Are further inspired by SpunOut.ie
Always be dynamic, innovative and creative
Young people make more positive life choices
Become active members of the SpunOut.ie community
Encourage and facilitate direct involvement
Take leading roles in SpunOut.ie and act as ambassadors
Facilitate and support Action Panel
Encourage sharing of content
Be realistic about possible shortcomings of other service providers to which readers may be directed
Active Readers
Contributors
Action Panel
Be inclusive
Provide meaningful but fun opportunities to engage over time
TRUST
Stress the organisation’s independence and peer-to-peer model
Use diverse promotional strategies for a diverse audience
ENGAGEMENT
Know that SpunOut.ie exists
Young people make more positive life choices
Young people make more positive life choices
What our work contributes to: young people leading happier and healthier lives • • • • • •
A destigmatisation of help-seeking by young people Young people coming to less harm Older people becoming more aware of young people’s issues Improved physical and mental health amongst young people Young people participating to a greater extent in their communities and society Ireland changing into a more accepting place for young people
Barriers and risks We recognise that there may be obstacles that stand in the way of our theory of change. These are very wide-ranging and different for each individual. For example, young people may not recognise that they have a right to information or may seek information from untrustworthy sources. They may struggle with literacy or lack access to technology. They may not be sufficiently motivated or confident to act or they may not be in an environment that allows them to act.
Our assumptions • • • • • • • • •
This age group, with its unique needs, will always exist Young people have rights that must be respected Young people are undervalued in our society and a lack of appropriate information is only one expression of this If young people are not aware that they have unmet information needs or are not ready to seek information, there is little that SpunOut.ie can do to change this Young people are ‘digital by default’ with the vast majority of them using online technologies on a daily basis Some subjects are difficult to talk about A multi-topic resource is more welcoming and less stigmatising for young people than a specialist resource Having better information can, but does not necessarily, lead to better choices SpunOut.ie can secure resources on an ongoing basis to assure its continued existence to help the young people of Ireland
How we know this •
Policy framework Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (especially Article 19) http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 (especially Article 17) http://www.childrensrights.ie/sites/default/files/submissions_reports/files/UNCRCEnglish_0.pdf Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 1950 (especially Article 10) http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf
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International research European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (various) http://eryica.org Eurostat (especially youth unemployment and digital inclusion data) http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database Fergie, G. et al, 2015, Young adults’ experiences of seeking online information about diabetes and mental health in the age of social media, Health Expectations http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.12430/epdf Garvey, B. et al, 2008, Help-seeking Behaviour in Young Adults, nfpSynergy and the Vodafone Foundation, London http://nfpsynergy.net/help-seeking-behaviour-young-adults Hewes, S. et al, 2010, Plugged In, Untapped: Using Digital Technologies to Help Young People Learn to Lead, The Young Foundation, London http://youngfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Plugged-in-untapped-September-2010.pdf ReachOut.com Australia (various) http://about.au.reachout.com/us/research-and-development/ Davies, T. et al, 2012, The Digital Edge: Using Digital Technology to Support Young People, Nominet Trust, Oxford http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/The%20Digital%20Edge_updated_31.07.pdf YouthNet (various) http://www.youthnet.org/research
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Irish research Dooley, B.A. & Fitzgerald, A., 2012, My World Survey: National Study of Youth Mental Health in Ireland, Headstrong & UCD School of Psychology http://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/MyWorldSurvey.pdf Gallagher, S. et al, 2008, Internet Use and Seeking Health Information Online in Ireland: Demographic Characteristics and Mental Health Characteristics of Users and Non-users, Health Research Board http://www.hrb.ie/uploads/tx_hrbpublications/HRBResearchSeries4.pdf Unicef Ireland, 2011, Changing the Future: Experiencing Adolescence in Contemporary Ireland http://nabc.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/help/help_basic_documents/UNICEF%20Changing%20The%20Future.pdf
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Our own knowledge SpunOut.ie, 2015, Youth Health Report 2015: summary of findings relating to 15-24 year olds in the Healthy Ireland Survey 2015 http://spunout.ie/assets/SpunOut_ieYouthHealthReport2015.pdf What young people themselves have told us about their experiences