I’m a Councillor: “She’s alright she is” Sophia Collins Gallomanor Communications Ltd.

I’m a Councillor: “She’s alright she is”

Sophia CollinsGallomanor Communications

Ltd.

1. Manifesto

2. Questions and Answers

1. Manifesto

3. Live Chat1. Manifesto

2. Q & A

4. Voting!1. Manifesto

2. Q & A

3. Chat

IAC – What is it?• An Event

– Online centred on www.bigvote.org.uk

– Real world Teacher Packs

• 2006– 33 councils– 185 Cllrs– 4,500 students

“no i never been interested when i got told by my teacher about it and gave me the slip and then i got really involved im not really the politics person but i am a little now."

Young participant, West Sussex Live Chat1.07pm, Fri 20th Oct 2006

“It involved students who would otherwise not have given politics a second glance"

Tony Lake, Head of Citizenship, Poltair College

What influences who young people vote for?

What influences who young people vote for?

“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”

What influences who young people vote for?

“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”

“I thought he was a kind caring man who seemed to want to help the youths of my town and to me that is a great impression”

What influences who young people vote for?

“I could just tell she really loved her job and would do anything to help”

“I thought he was a kind caring man who seemed to want to help the youths of my town and to me that is a great impression”

“A realistic manifesto and not trying to be too cool and ‘in with the kids’”

What influences who young people vote for?

– Authenticity

– Realistic manifesto

– Not patronising

Evaluating the event – Strengths

Evaluating the event – Strengths

1. Reversal of normal power structure

Young people:-

“i like dis its like msn but we can go on it at skewl!”

Cllrs:-

“I need to learn this language. Err, can you translate brb for me please?”

Evaluating the event – Strengths

1. Reversal of normal power structure

“Only one or two students from the PRU took part this year, but please do not underestimate the impact of this. Student D. was delighted to have taken part in this democratic act and tool it very seriously. He discussed issues that really meant something to him and his esteem was definitely boosted by receiving a reply.”

Evaluating the event – Strengths

1. Reversal of normal power structure

A. Knowledge

B. Getting answers

C. Voting

Evaluating the event – Strengths

2. The intimacy of the medium

Evaluating the event – Strengths

2. The intimacy of the medium

Young people:-

“chatting to the councillors was very useful because then you can find out almost instantly what they are going to do and what their hopes and dreams are.”

Cllrs:-

“The opportunity to get a varied view of the issues of young people - not just their gripes but things they either care about or are worried about.”

Evaluating the event – Weaknesses

1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes

Evaluating the event – Weaknesses

1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes

2. Many young people don’t get to do it!

Evaluating the event – Weaknesses

1. There’s no formalisation of the outcomes

2. Most young people don’t get to do it!

3. Weakness of feedback loop

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

are trustworthy

are clever

are all about spin

are funny

are important

don't do enough about the environment

are genuine

don't care about young people

are interesting

have a lot of power

have people's best interests at heart

are stupid

would be fun to spend time with

are making things better

are boring

don't care about ordinary people

are only out for themselves

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

are trustworthy

are clever

are all about spin

are funny

are important

don't do enough about the environment

are genuine

don't care about young people

are interesting

have a lot of power

have people's best interests at heart

*are stupid*

would be fun to spend time with

*are making things better*

are boring

don't care about ordinary people

*are only out for themselves*

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

STUPID

0

10

20

30

40

50

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

MAKING THINGS BETTER

0

10

20

30

40

50

++ + +/ - - --

National

Local

ONLY OUT FOR THEMSELVES

0

10

20

30

40

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

are trustworthy

are clever

are all about spin

are funny

are important

don't do enough about the environment

are genuine

don't care about young people

are interesting

have a lot of power

have people's best interests at heart

are stupid

would be fun to spend time with

are making things better

are boring

don't care about ordinary people

are only out for themselves

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

are trustworthy

are clever

are all about spin

are funny

are important

don't do enough about the environment

*are genuine*

don't care about young people

are interesting

*have a lot of power*

*have people's best interests at heart*

are stupid

would be fun to spend time with

are making things better

are boring

don't care about ordinary people

are only out for themselves

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

Genuine

0

10

2030

40

50

60

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

HAVE A LOT OF POWER

0

20

40

60

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

People's best interests at heart

010203040506070

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE

0

10

20

30

40

50

++ + +/- - --

National

Local

Evaluating the event – 6 month follow up

“The youngsters now know that they have a voice and are beginning to know how to use it ----BUT More importantly I have started listening in a different way, rather than assuming I knew what they needed.”

Cllr Dave Harris, Colchester Borough Council

I’m a Councillor

Sophia Collins

[email protected]

I’m a Councillor

www.bigvote.org.uk

Gallomanor company website

www.gallomanor.com