Youth funds improve community cohesion, finds report

Fundraising Hack - 8 February 2010

Fair point, shall change for a more appropriate evil genius then... :op

Gods lonely youthworker . - 8 February 2010

[quote user="Fundraising Hack"]Thanks. That's you off my Christmas card list then sunshine! ;o) [/quote]

Sorry, it's your avatar.  How am I supposed to take you seriously with Father Jack glaring at me?

Fundraising Hack - 8 February 2010

[quote user="Gods lonely youthworker ."]I can’t vouch for the other blokes comments though, he sounds a bit dodgy to me.[/quote]

Thanks. That's you off my Christmas card list then sunshine! ;o)

I must admit I do find it a little strange to see myself quoted as a cynical voice of discontent when on balance I'd originally made the point that I'd personally found the YOF / YCF fund to be a real joy to work with our group but was aware that there are statutory youth work managers that I've reason to believe may be playing the system a bit which I stated in those terms rather than stated as fact, gossipy some might say but good fuel for debate I think... Like God's Lonely Youthworker I too would describe myself as an optimist with experience... My only agenda in this is to debate, learn and share ideas... :o)

Gods lonely youthworker . - 8 February 2010

[quote user="Kevin Sweeney"]Why does the publication include the comments of individuals as if they are fact? The validity of one person picking up one pack and not being happy about the content being treated as the same as 150 reports is not appropriate and is poor journalism. The actual Report is empirical evidence that the youth work approach actually can empower young people. Why can we not celebrate this fact rather than get caught up in the ramblings of a bunch of cynics? I regularly read the blogs and usually grind my teeth in frustration at some of the comments but try not to bite, but when your reporter takes the comments of individuals who have a clear agenda as being representative of youth workers then a line has been crossed. From my experience the Youth Opportunity Funds have made a real difference to young people not just in terms of improving facilities or resources but empowering young people. Crazy idea, folks why don't we celebrate when we get credit rather than looking for the bad in everything? I encourage scepticism as it involves critical analysis but what I see on the forums is a parade of cynics which is where they should remain - not quoted in an article about something which has benefited young people.[/quote]   

[quote user="Kevin Sweeney"]C&YPN needs to do better in its quality of journalism.[/quote]   I beg to differ.  Its about time the journalism provoked some vibrant debate.  Let us celebrate the positives of this.  Well done, Ross.

Charlotte Goddard - 8 February 2010

Hi Kevin

I think we include the comments of individuals as if they were comments, not as if they were facts. That's the difference between something in quotes and something not in quotes.

If you feel differently to others who post why not post your own thoughts to provide a balanced view? Surely that is what forums are all about?

In my opinion the occasional article that points up what people are thinking on the forum is not bad journalism. It encourages debate.

Kevin Sweeney - 8 February 2010

Why does the publication include the comments of individuals as if they are fact? The validity of one person picking up one pack and not being happy about the content being treated as the same as 150 reports is not appropriate and is poor journalism. The actual Report is empirical evidence that the youth work approach actually can empower young people. Why can we not celebrate this fact rather than get caught up in the ramblings of a bunch of cynics? I regularly read the blogs and usually grind my teeth in frustration at some of the comments but try not to bite, but when your reporter takes the comments of individuals who have a clear agenda as being representative of youth workers then a line has been crossed. From my experience the Youth Opportunity Funds have made a real difference to young people not just in terms of improving facilities or resources but empowering young people. Crazy idea, folks why don't we celebrate when we get credit rather than looking for the bad in everything? I encourage scepticism as it involves critical analysis but what I see on the forums is a parade of cynics which is where they should remain - not quoted in an article about something which has benefited young people. There will be places where the process is not as effective as it should be and places where the involvement of young people is not as strong but on balance it seems there is evidence that it has worked. C&YPN needs to do better in its quality of journalism.