Toby Robson

16.00 Friday: Well, its just me and Rob left in the office, I’ve said goodbye to Debbie, Ben and Julie… so as a spring rain falls outside, its nearly time to move on from another season and close the SMASH door one last time.

I’ve just spent my last afternoon ironing up a few more t-shirts for SMASH-Fest. We had got a photo-shoot lined up this afternoon, but thanks to the weather and a meeting over-running, thats had to be postponed, so someone else will have to be on media duties next week!

I’ve taken on a few extra duties moving forwards into the future – I’ll be continuing to manage the SMASH web presence from now on, coordinating their site, their site blog and the Facebook page, as well as making sure we drop links onto relevant third part sites, helping with the media work and generally keeping the profile up where it belongs. Having a bit of a Google search has been quite gratifying, as the project is now definitely much better known as measured by hits and rankings than it was when I started. Then as well there’s the extra coverage in the media, be that online, print or radio and we know we’ve also managed to make an impact with the political parties at both a council and a national level. On top of that, I’ve also managed to double the number of Facebook fans the SMASH group has – and I’m even more pleased to see that its creeping up by and extra one or two every day. Anecdotally, people down the pub have asked me about SMASH, we know that more and more people are volunteering to do fundraisers and various people are coming out the woodwork either to make small donations of their own or at least to offer verbal support. Will it have helped make enough of a change to save the project? I guess only time will tell. However, if YOU’RE reading this blog, maybe there’s something you could do to help. If so, please think about it.

Robs put the kettle on, so it’ll shortly be time for my valedictory tea. The team here very kindly bought me a bottle of Sambuca (with coffee beans!) – so I’ll be toasting one and all tonight.

Thank You SMASH – and thank you WOD!

Wow. What a two months. Thank you so much Vodafone Foundation.

I drafted a letter yesterday to go  in the latest Smash newsletter which goes off to all our friends, mentees, mentors and supporters:

Dear all,

Well, time flies as they say, and boy, have the last couple of months gone in the blink of an eye!

For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been taking a break from my ‘normal’ job of working in a mobile phone company to come and spend around 40 full-time days in the SMASH office, joining with your favourite project team to lend a hand and to try and help them raise SMASH’s profile a bit. As a mentor of four year’s standing, (as well having the honour to be The Chairman of The Board of Trustees) it’s given me the opportunity to see things in operation here from a different perspective: from ‘the inside’. I know you’ll all be pleased to know that my days here have completely confirmed to me that the SMASH team are an extremely dedicated, hard-working and caring collection of people who rise to all sorts of challenges and demands on a daily basis.

 

Highlights for me over the last two months have included; managing the SMASH blog, the SMASH Facebook group and my personal blog, making sure that they all interlink and are up-to-date. I’ve also enjoyed dealing with the media and getting us coverage and I really loved having the opportunity to participate in the art workshop (with the added bonus of a visit from the Deputy PM!). Perhaps the biggest highlight of all though was being powerfully reminded about how through collective effort we can all make a big difference to people who need the help and time of others. SMASH delivers on that through you, the mentors and friends of the project. You have very good reason to be very proud of your association with them.

 

The over-riding theme of my time here has been the pursuit of new sources of funding so that we can ensure that we continue to deliver for the vulnerable young people of the town. Well, the good news is that Richard has been utterly tireless in his quest. Whilst I don’t have any single piece of huge good news to share with you, there are still lots of reasons to be hopeful: We still have several applications outstanding, there’s still money in the pot to enable us to continue in some form or another until July – and we continue to be bowled over by the number of people spontaneously making and taking time to raise funds and awareness for us. A big thank you one and all. We also know that SMASH is known and respected at all levels within local and national government – and that politicians of all parties respect, admire and support what we do. We also know from the kind testimonials we receive that the agencies that make referrals to SMASH see, value and appreciate the unique service we offer. There are lots of reasons to be optimistic – but not a second to lose!

 

So, if you’ve taken the time to read this far, please think about what you might be able to do to help a little more. Every conversation you have with anyone in authority or influence or who holds the purse strings to potential funding, helps. Every fundraising opportunity and story in the media helps show what we do and the difference we can make. Whether its an advert or leaflet on an office notice board, a link on your Facebook or a letter to the paper, local councillor or MP, every little bit you do is another bit of weight on the ‘funding see-saw’ – lets make sure it tips in our favour!

 

So, keep the faith and don’t let up!

 Very best and warmest regards,

Toby

If a word or two of this blog has entertained or inspired you you in any small way, please think about making a donation, however small to SMASH. You can do this quickly and easily by following this link: http://www.justgiving.com/smashyouthproject/Donate

Oh, and I’ve completed my ironing! Anyone want a t-shirt?!

Yesterday was a very busy and emotional one.

It kicked off with me slaving over a hot iron. Those that know me will understand that using an iron is akin to asking me to apply an instrument of torture to my own flesh. I hate ironing to such an extent that I actually employ my own ironing lady. Such bourgois expenditure from someone as tight-fisted as me gives you an idea of the horror ironing instills. So, why the association with this ungodly hot metal device? Well, I’d taken the poster design for SMASH-Fest (have you reserved your tickets yet?!) and turned it into a T-Shirt with some iron-on transfers. The results – apart from one scorched example – have turned out pretty good, though I say so myself! The only snag in the process was that I discovered that one of the bands on the list, the opimistically named ‘Death Has a Shadow’ have since announced that they’ve changed their name to ‘This Horizon Falls’. Well, I’m going to leave them to explain that to their confused fans when they appear on stage. The rest of the days was very much about tidying up some loose ends before I leave for the last time tomorrow. Rob, Richard and I met again with Cher Sawyer to discuss future business planning for the project as well as to get a round up on the latest hits and misses for the funding applications. Its a bit of a double whammy for SMASH this week, as Richard and I are both set to return back to our previous roles – Richard to the retirement which he’s never quite managed to take, and me back to Vodafone. I think a concern for all is about keeping the momentum going behind the constant drip-feed of coverage and keeping the pressure and attention up on those companies and foundations with funding up for grabs. Cher is something of an Action Lady though – and I’m sure that she’ll be keeping SMASH very much on the agenda of one and all. Anyway, we dropped the ever supportive Swindon Advertiser a note and it resulted in the following coverage today: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/5052808.Cher_s_new_challenge_to_help_young_people/

(Another one for the cuttings file Ally! Note I managed to name-drop WOD once again!!!)

I also met yesterday with my new mentee to be. Due to some of the tribulation which life chucks at you from time to time, it had been suggested to me by friends and family that maybe I took my foot off the pedal for a bit and tried to lead a quieter extra-curricular life. However, having met him and his father yesterday, I’m firmly inspired to take on my forth mentee. We have, thanks to the one-a-day refereals which are still pouring in from across the borough, a huge waiting list of young people in limbo whilst the funding issue drags on. It seemed to me that I could at least do a small thing to try and reduce that by at least a percentage point (OK – need to swap pcs now – so will continue with the next installment shortly!)

It was also my last team meeting yesterday. I have to be honest, I was pretty choked up. Trying to do my bit to ensure SMASH’s long term survival has come to mean a lot to me – and the people here really deserve to be able to continue to deliver such an important service to Swindon’s vulnerable young folk. Care is infectious, I guess.

Anyway (he said, wiping a tear from his eye), the office is also buzzing with fresh enthusiasm as Richard has possibly spotted another application opportunity – and I’ve just met with councillor Keith Williams, the guy who with Mary helped us with our rent. As previously mentioned, Keith is offering to donate sponsorship proceeds from his cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats, so one of my last official SMASH duties tomorrow will be to organise a min photoshoot with Roger from The Link Magazine. This is likely to involve him clad in one of my fresh CREASE FREE SMASH-Fest t-shirts, the lucky lucky man! Note, SMASH-Fest is on the front page of The Link - as well as featuring here!

Today I had a meeting with a local MBE recipient. Cher Sawyer is a lovely and effervescent character brimming with enthusiasm and (most importantly for us) she’s an expert in the archane arts of fundraising and sustainability for chrities. We had a really productive chat and agreed some steps on how we could work together in the future. Watch this space for more news!

In a flash-back to the Harriet Harman visit of a couple of weeks back, we also received the following message from one of Anne Snegrove MP’s Office Managers, Sarah Bush. It appears that Harriet delivered on her promise to get a photo of the plaster Sir Winston Churchill outside his spiritual home, The House of Commons… So here he is! (but where’s his ‘V for Victory??!)… It was really sweet of Sarah to have remembered and we’re all really chuffed – its put a smile on everyone’s face today.

What an absolutely cracking poster for SMASH-Fest!!! Feel free to print it off and put it in your windows / hand out to your mates… A T-Shirt printed version will also be available courtesy of yours truly. Drop me a line if you want to reserve one!

It’s the last week. What an absolutely gutting feeling! At least the sun is shining and it appears that there are some positive indications. Not only are there bulbs and snowdrops poking up through the soil to remind us that spring is well and truly on the way (in contrast to the snow when I first started this blog!) – BUT we also hear positive bits and pieces of news on the funding applications front. Its nothing I can yet give you any detail about, as its not ‘in the bag’ by a long stretch, but it is at least promising… fingers crossed that I can share it with you before Friday…!

SMASH and the Vodafone Foundation/WOD project managed to get a bit more coverage this weekend in the Swindon Adver – see the following:

                        Paul interviewed

Me under the scrutiny of the glass eye (looking odd!)

Peter my old mentee speaks about what SMASh means to him (in a pause during that evenings footie action!)

I’m sat here with a film crew!!!

Vodafone have been in touch and are asking me to help out with a video they are putting together to celebrate the success of the Vodafone World of Difference project – now that sadly, it reaching the end of its time. Its been such good fun working here – I only wish it could go on forever…

OK – curtain call! will catch up later

A big shout out to councillor Keith Williams who’s very kindly offered to nominate SMASH as his charity for his forthcoming cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats!

A big shout our too to councillor Mary Martin – it seems that she’s managed to speak to all of the relevant parties, and our rent has been deferred for the time being (hurrah!)

Also, thanks too to Nationwide for their kind and very timely donation.

So, some good and positive news to be going with. It shows the huge support we have in the community. Now all we need is to get a nice big bit of ‘core funding’ under our belts, and I can leave my placement happy, knowing that the security of SMASH (not to mention the jobs of my colleagues, the aspirations of our mentors and the futures of our mentees) are all in good and secure hands.

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Philanthropist/corporate funder/charitable foundation who might stumble upon this blog: please take a moment to visit SMASH and see the value of what is achieved here

Well, its the penultimate week of my placement. We’ve generated the following piece of extra coverage in the local news: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/5033167.Time_is_running_out_for_Smash_charity/ … Things aren’t quite as bad as the might at first appear reading the piece - and whilst we’re having to be realistic about making promises to new and existing mentees, we’re still trying to be optimistic that we’ll hear some good news regarding those outstanding applications. SMASH is (or at least should be, if there’s one grain of justice in the world of charitable funding) far too good a thing to be lost. Watch this space…

Anyway, the Advertiser (the local paper) tends to attract some of the nastier and most cynical members of the sometimes limited local gene pool, so if you can spare a moment to log on there and register a comment in  support of us, we’d be VERY grateful!

I’m loving the insights into the real world which my placement has given me. This blog provides real (topical) food for thought: http://www.newphilanthropycapital.blogspot.com/?dm_i=59B,3ONP,KFMJA,BGE2,1

‘Flog young offenders, put them in stocks and pelt them with oranges.’ This is a response from a member of the public to a recent government consultation on how to punish young offenders. Although responses like this do not seem to be very constructive, the consultation itself is a good idea. At present the public has a limited understanding of the youth justice system, and efforts to engage people in what happens to young offenders is positive. The public tend to assume that sentences are ‘softer’ than they really are. Research shows that when they know more about how the system works, what different sentences involve and the lives of individual offenders, they favour more constructive and less punitive approaches.

But if government is looking for new ideas on how to address youth crime in local areas, as well as asking the public, it could also take a closer look at what charities are doing. NPC’s forthcoming research on charities working with young offenders (out Wednesday)highlights a number of innovative schemes that deserve proper attention. It shows that projects involving dance, boxing and vehicle maintenance are effective at engaging young people and diverting them from crime. When we spoke to 16-year-old Michael (on a community sentence for drug offences), he pointed out that the conventional punishments that he had received actually made him worse—they simply helped him mix with other offenders and return to a life of crime. To his surprise, what worked was an intensive dance course run by the charity Dance United—it provided discipline, support and a route out of offending. He is now married and in full-time employment.

Our report Trial and error shows that the things we tend to think of as ‘tough’ generally do not work well. Three in four young people leaving prison re-offend within a year of release; ‘Scared straight’ programmes—taking delinquent young people into prisons to ‘scare them straight’—actually increase offending; military-style boot camps do nothing to reduce criminality. What works are schemes that set firm boundaries but also provide support and alternatives to offending. But given the ‘stock’ opinions and risk-averse culture towards offenders, without stronger evidence it will be difficult to convince policymakers, magistrates and orange pelters of the effective alternatives provided by charities. Our report Trial and error urges charities to evaluate their schemes and funders to support them to do this.

I’ve been on a rush round promoting SMASHfest today. If dropped a note to the ever lovely Tracy White of Swindon Does Arts to see if she’ll help promote it , I’ve emailed the Ocelot and Frequency mags (two local ‘whats on’ and events publications), I’ve also dropped a note to the presenters of ‘Introducing…‘ at the local beeb station, I’ve updated both the SMASH blog and our Facebook page … I’ve also added it to the ‘forthcoming events section of Swindon’s best chat forum, Talk Swindon  . Tomorrow I’m going to drop another note to all of the people already on our mailing list telling them about next Thursday but also to tell them to come along then if they or their mentees would like to have a bash at putting together a song or two to perform on the night! Once all is up and confirmed, then I’ll get in touch with the local paper, The Advertiser!

Have I missed anything out??

(Got to try out the logo!)

SMASH-Fest – part of Swindon Does Arts!!!

I’ve had a called from one of the agencies who work with Vodafone saying that they might well be interested in doing some filming to mark my last couple of weeks here ( ) – Of course, this is something which I’d be wildly keen to do as SMASH needs all the help it can get in terms of publicity – and I’d like to make a proper gesture of thanks back to The Vodafone Foundation for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I’m not quite sure how we can visually represent what mentoring is all about – but there’s a football match held every other week on a Thursday by our offices which the young people participate in (fingers crossed the rain stays away). I’m hoping to get as many menors, mentees and anyone else with a connection with the project along as well. I’ll post up some more details once the date is 100% confirmed and see what we can do. What a media-mad couple of weeks it’s been eh?!

Just had an interview on BBC Radio Wiltshire (are you out there Ally?? ) – what was slated as a five minute chat turned into a full 25 minute on-air conversation with the presenter. Got all of the key messages in for SMASH as well as a hat-tip to Vodafone and the Vodafone Foundation / World of Difference project. I am now relaxing, feasting on my brownie points. I think I will treat myself to a bacon baguette!

If you want to have a listen, it was on the Chris O’Donell show (24th February) and will be available on the listen again function for the next six days: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p006hk5h (Ally and the Vodafone PR peeps, if you want a recorded copy, I have a disk)

I’m somewhat concerned that the end of the url has ‘poo’ in it. I hope this is not a reflection upon my abilities as a spokesperson…

I’m feeling rather positive today – not entirely sure why, perhaps it’ll evaporate in a puff of harsh reality, but lets go with the current mood and hope it sticks! So why the nice vibes on an otherwise climate change  defying sleety day? Well, I had a very interesting and encouraging chat today with the editor of the local newspaper regarding our current situation and some of the things which he and his journalists might be interested in covering over the next few weeks. He had some excellent ideas and suggestions of his own and once again I realised the volume and sincerity of the local support for SMASH. So, positive feedback, but some extra things to add to my long to-do list. Quite how I’m going to get everything on it sorted in three weeks is looking frighteningly daunting, but there you go.

In fact, it seems like the time for a recap on what I’m up to (I’m loving my lists at the moment – they’re the lifeline for survival for an otherwise rather disorganised chap like me!) Please feel free to nag or ask for updates

1. Got an interview booked with the local Beeb radio station tomorrow. This looks really positive and I’m hoping that this will be another good opportunity to tell our story and remind the listeners of what’s at stake should we fail to find another source of funding.

2. Continuing the publicity in the run up to ‘SMASH-Fest’ on the 20th of March (from 6.00pm at Riff’s Bar – any takers out there in WODland?!) We’ve got a bunch of Swindon’s finest young bands doing a fundraiser for us and it promises to be a top night

3.I’ve still got the blimmin’ brochure to work on (got some amends/suggestions from the project manager to work through)

4. I’m going to try and get some video testimonials from some of our mentees stretching back over the last ten years. Testimonials were something Harriet Harman mentioned, but it also strikes me that they’re also a good source of copy for future PR as well as for applications. The editor I spoke to this morning seemed most interested too. In order to speed things up as much as possible, I’m going to drive round to the mentees rather than conduct affairs by letter or email as that’ll simply lead to delay (young people might text rapidly enough, but getting them to write more than a signature otherwise is generally and uphill struggle, I have already learnt!)
I’ve been doing some catching up with other sources of publicity/support. Rather disappointingly, one local commercial station (which shall remain nameless), despite having had a previous relationship with SMASH told me yesterday that they ‘don’t do free publicity for local charities’ as they’re a commercial station (even though they also claim to be at the heart of the local community). Well, whilst I might understand that the bean counters are kings these days, that lack of engagement might explain why ‘local’ commercial radio has ceased to have any sort of local feel to it, outside of adverts for garages and furniture stores sung in faux rural accents: “For aaaaaal yure bedding and shelving wares, call the furniture store you know who caaaaaares, oooooh-one-double-ayyyyyyt -fooooor-six-three-six-nine-ooooooooh“. I once worked at the Lilliputian Spire FM and sat next to the red-rim specked guy who used to put those kind of adverts together. Every time he wrote a line of copy or a jingle, he’d spin on his office chair and sing them out to his audience: me.  The mental damage still tortures me… Still, at least there’s the BBC (see point 1!)

5. I’m also chasing the CSR department of a local company who’d previously mentioned some funds but from whom we’ve since heard nothing. When I get back into the office, I’m hoping to have had a reply. Please keep your fingers crossed!

6. Update the project blog (and add some new about Ms Harman’s visit and the Heritage project)

7. Update the SMASH Project Facebook page (have you become a fan yet? If not why not!?)

8. Check up with our favourite local councillor as to where she’s got with her attempts to renegotiate our rent

9. Write letters of thanks to both the Deputy Mayor and Anne Snelgrove for their support last week

10… and some HR stuff, which I’ve just realised I’m going to have to go back into the office for after all, damn-it!

11… and I’ve got to update my diary: there are so many dates floating around on post-its at the moment, I just know I’ll end up double booking something if I don’t

I’m going to start with 12, grab a bag of crisps and then skedaddle back to the office. Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring…!

Off to have a chat with the local newspaper tomorrow, then off to speak to the beeb on Wednesday! Trying to keep a bit of momentum going.

Well for those of you following this blog (and I discover to my great encouragement that there are a number of you out there in the ether!), apologies that its taken a while to get back to you. When last I clattered digits to keys, it was mid week and just after our visit from Gordon’s right-hand Har(wo)man, Harriet. I can’t remember if I posted a link to the coverage of her visit – but if not, here’s a link to the local paper: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/5009229.Deputy_Labour_leader_visits_Smash_project/

The rest of the week continued with me helping the guys from No Added Sugar (here’s their url – http://www.noaddedsugar.org/ ) work with a bunch of our young people. It was a shame that a couple of them dropped out at an early stage (it appears that a 10.00am is too early a start during half term for some!) … Those that stayed on however produced some really rather wonderful pieces of art – and is was a real revelation to see how some of them started the week with a couldn’t-care-less attitude, but ended up really engaged. I was chatting with Gordon afterwards and he said that it had been his experience doing this kind of thing over 20 years that the completely incorrigible ‘bad uns’ are a very very rare thing. Most of the time, if you set some boundaries and get them engaged, they lap up the stimulation of doing something new. Some of the artwork was, by measure, funny, moving, interesting and really rather good! One of the younger girls turned out to be an excellent sculptor in the making, producing a wonderful soapstone carving – as well as a really beautiful cast plate (yes, I managed to get my favourite hobby involved: I took a load of sand carvings back to my foundry to get them cast!). They also produced a number of figures from plaster as well as murals and prints. To round off an eventful week, we had a mini exhibition on the Friday and managed to get the deputy mayor along, as well as a mix of parents carers and mentors to come and see the fruits of every-one’s hard work. A photographer from the local paper turned up, so hopefully we’ll have got some more publicity to boot (fingers crossed)

OK – its getting late and I need to get myself sorted for another week, so I’m going to post this up now, grab the camera and see if I can post a few photos showing results of everyone’s hard work…

One of our mentees chats to Harriet Harman and Anne Snegrove, MP for South Swindon

Harriet chats to a mentee whilst a plaster figure of Sir Winston Churchill looks on (I hope thats a 'V' for Victory, not a 'Bowman of Agincourt'!)

... Not all our mentees could contain their excitement!!

The local media turned up for a chat and to take photos...

... and we got a chance to have a chat in pricate with Harriet to ask her about government support for SMASH (keep your fingers crossed please)

...Some of the aluminium plates produced from the mentees carvings

The exhibition on the final day...

Well, that was a busy day!

In reference to the earlier mysterious hints, today SMASH hosted non other than Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman. It was a whistle-stop visit, but she and our local MP Anne Snelgrove took some time to visit the Arts Centre where some of our young people are undertaking a project based upon their and Swindon’s heritage. The morning had been spent preparing plaster sculptures – and (even though some of the paint was still wet – sorry Anne!), a fine array of turn of the century soldiers, nurses, farm labourers and railway workers were ready to greet her.

She took plenty of time to speak to the young people about what they were doing – as well as their backgrounds and what they get from SMASH. It was  encouraging to overhear her speaking very highly of the project to the local media and when we met up with her afterwards for a further chat with the Project Manager, she repeated that she would work hard with Anne Snelgrove to do what she could to help us secure future funding.

I’ll be keeping an eye on the media, but I know for a fact that we’ll have coverage in the local paper, as well as a piece on local radio. Fingers crossed it also goes regional too. (As a note to anyone in Voda PR, Harriet Harman and Anne Snelgrove were also very interested to hear about the World of Difference program too – they were most impressed.) So, creeping to my employer and sponsor out the way, what can we draw from all of this?

For me, although it was a boost to morale, it was still slightly frustrating. EVERYONE keeps telling us how much they value the project, how it’s a leader in its field, how the good it’s done is recognised and appreciated and how the results speak for themselves… but once again, I’m left with the wise words of my pal Ally Stevens ringing in my ears: “Thanks are all very well and good, but you can’t spend ‘em down the pub, can ‘ee?”. With apologies to Ally for attempting a phonetic translation of the Hungerford accent – as well as to the project for using an alcohol based analogy, the basic point remains: We have plaudits, thanks, recognition… but (as yet) still no cheque to ensure we can keep on doing all of this good work.  This, I’m learning, is not atypical for a charity, but it goes to show that keeping one running is something which would challenge many of those from the corporate sector. Its not simple, its not easy and it may not even relate to merit or success. However, if having friends in high places counts for something, then it would at least appear that we’re only one down from the country’s most influential man.

Keep watching this space – and please keep your fingers crossed!

I’ll post some pictures shortly.

It was a late night – I spent a very pleasant evening in the company of Tony and Gordon, who are jointly ‘No Added Sugar’ - the artists who specialise in participatory arts and who’ll be running the workshops with the youngsters on Monday. We’ve got lots of things planned which will involve plaster, paint – and possibly even my furnace! The theme for the week is ‘heritage’ – the young people have been visiting various places like the Big Pit in Wales as well as the Steam Museum in Swindon – and they’ve been looking at the lives of young people during the Industrial Revolution, how hard it was and how things compare to the modern age.

But the BIG news is that we’re going to be hosting a VIP who’ll visit to talk to the young people. I can’t tell you who – or my agents would have to eliminate you, but the person in question is a very senior figure. Photographic evidence will follow on Monday!

Other news is that I might be taking on a mentee for a while. We have a whole bunch of referals at the moment, but many of these are on hold and haven’t been pared to mentors whilst we wait to discover whats happening vis-a-vis funding. So that they’re not all left in limbo, SMASH workers are taking a few of them under their wings and I’ve agreed to help out for thr remainder of my time here. Half way through! Crikey, time has flown by…

OK, more soon. T

I apologise for the lateness of my latest bit of bloggery, but its been a hectic few days – two of which involved fine Belgian beer and a big party to celebrate an old mates 40th birthday. (I hasten to add, by ‘old mate’ I’m refering to the length of time I’ve known her, not her age!)

Topically, given that this blog is about charitable work, she’s on the brink of going off to Zimbabwe to go and work on a lion sanctuary. I hope its a roaring success… Yes, I did say that – so make that two apologies in two paragraphs. *Ahem!*

Frankly, I’m happy with the only slightly less dangerous feline attentions of my fluffy black mog Claude, who’s determined to warm his backside by jumping onto the warm laptop keyboard every time I turn my back. I guess he must be something of a fidget, as when I came back up the stairs with a cup of tea, he’d somehow managed to type a 15 page email of nothing but consonants and numerals to councillors Wakefield and Martin about our rent… (more on the saga of the rent to follow!)

So, where are we today? Well, I’m still digesting the last Trustees meeting on Thursday – we had an excellent presentation from a local business woman who was well acquainted with the sorts of challenges faced by a charity like ours. You could see a tightening of lips amongst the assembled audience as she spoke candidly about what needs to be done . The next few months are going to be ‘tricksy’ as Gollum would say. I’ll spare you a host of Tolkien based analogies, but suffice to say that we hope yet to avoid the powers of darkness! Whatever the outcome, all the trustees will need to make sure they’re doing their utmost to support the efforts of the project team.

Lets instead turn to a more cheery story about SMASH.

A mentee with the project called Clive has spoken spoke at length to our local newspaper about the difference SMASH has made to his life. Unfortunately, the paper seems to have missed out the bits which we at SMASH think are the most important, so lets redress that!

Clive explained that the involvement of SMASH has enabled  him to get out into the community, improving his confidence, self esteem and independence. With support from staff and his mentor, Clive has managed to negotiate public transport with a visit to Bath via bus and train, taking responsibility for checking the times etc. and purchasing his own food. He has visited the local railway museum, attended go -karting,  enjoyed rock climbing and is currently looking forward to participating in an art workshop during February half term. (This is being funded the Heritage project within SMASH and will be run by our friends the artists Toni and Gordon from  ‘No Added Sugar’ – I’ll also be helping on that for the full week – so await tales and photographic evidence of paint splattered mayhem!)

Clive’s mum Angela, who is also hoping to refer her younger son to SMASH, has expressed her concerns regarding the future security of SMASH .

“There is nothing out there at all for young people, Clive rarely leaves the house as he does not feel safe and has really enjoyed experiencing the variety of activities offered through SMASH. It will be a great shame if we were to lose this unique project,  I only wish there was something more that we could do as a community”.

So, there it is yet again – another ringing endorsement of what we do and of the real difference which ordinary people can make to the lives of others by just giving up a bit of their time.

If you’re a potential funder reading this blog – please get in touch. We’re not looking for hand-outs, we just want to help give young people a hand up.

I’m an unwell puppy today – every time I swallow, its like there’s a spiked golf-ball in the back of my throat. I was sick when I woke up, so consequently, I spent the rest of the morning festering in bed. Not really what you come here to read about, is it? However, restored to a functioning numbness by gargling a glass of soluble aspirin (top tip there!), I’m back in front of the pc and trying to get on with something constructive.

So far I’ve written a letter to our Deputy Mayor to try and see about becoming one of his selected charitable causes when he assumes office next year – and I’ve also had a very kind tip- off regarding another sourse of possible funding from a local charitable foundation. I’m chasing that at the mo – but the person I need to speak to keeps disappearing off into meetings (hence a snatched 20 minutes to write to you now, dear treader!)

I also need to update the Facebook page for SMASH, as it seems that the benefit gig is taking on a momentum of its own and some more bands have expressed an interest. I’ve also had a little bit of feedback regarding my attempt to secure us our office rent free – and I’ve a possible meeting with a local councillor tomorrow. The other two things nagging at me is the brochure (which I’ve really got to get cracking with) as well as the 350 word article ion SMASH for a local online mag.  GET ORGANISED ROBSON – LOTS TO DO… Including fixing the mobile connect function of the laptop which appears still broken. Doh.

Ok – off to gargle some more!

I have to confess I’m a little jaded this morning. Sunday night I was at the local pub where I’m putting on a little show of some of my artwork (not exactly The Tate – its a wall opposite the public bar!) Anyway, a few celebratory beers had the head sipped off of them – and as a consequence of alcohol fuelled joi de vivre last night and a heavy cold this morning, I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself.

The day’s carried on in the same rather maudlin mode I’m afraid. My mate John very kindly decided to give my little Dell a bit of a turbo charge/service yesterday – unfortunately today, my mobile broadband connection now seems to have taken umbrage and is refusing to switch on. This means I’m having to float between project workers PCs as the too and fro. My poor little laptop! Here’s hoping for a rapid fix. The other imediate issue this morning was that some delightful soul has decided to kick through the glass window of the office I usually sit in – so I’m temporarily homeless whilst the glazier puts in an emergancy fix.

Lets concentrate of some better news. We remain positive that the light at the end of the tunnel is indeed the herald of sunlit uplands rather than the rush of an oncoming train.  At least one of our funding applications remains as a  ’live’ possibility, so where there’s life, there’s hope. We’re also getting some interest with the planned fundraisers.

However, back to the melancholy side of things (my writing reflecting my pendulum like mood), we’re also having to make contingency plans for what might have to happen in the future if funding doesn’t come through. Sadly, that means having to consider worst case scenarios – and will mean several difficult subjects on the agenda of the trustees meeting on Thursday.

The local paper is reporting that there’s a new drug on the streets of Swindon being offered to young people called ‘Meow Meow’  http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/4882446.Police_concern_about_Meow_Meow_drug/ (I know this is a serious issue, but I can’t help thinking that there’s a shade of Brass Eye here – What next, Looneytoad Quack, Yellow Bentines or Clarky Cat?!) . Anyway, to my astonishment, it seems that not only is this drug for real, workers within the project are already aware that young people have encountered it.

OK – time to go and have a chat with a local councillor to see if we have had any joy reviewing our rent situation! More soon

I’ve been spending some time trying to get our various online presences linked together and up to date. For example, I’ve made sure that the main SMASH website has links to here and Facebook and that the SMASH Facebook links in turn to Twitter and here and the SMASH website blog. Confused already?!

Anyway, I’ve set a target to try and double the number of ‘fans’ on the Facebook page. Obviously, as mentoring arrangements only last a year and we have to keep up to squizz with our data protection obligations, its easy to lose touch with people – especially when they’re youngsters who are always changing mobile networks and numbers whilst they search out the latest ‘must have deals’!!! Facebook looks to be a way of keeping these kinds of people and stakeholders engaged with us without us having to deluge inboxes with and endless stream of emails.

Due to the office email systems being administered by the Council’s highly keen IT department, numerous networking sites were blocked – even webmail! For us, social networking sites represent a real opportunity to use technology to engage with the community which would be pretty much impossible otherwise. The Facebook Events function also looks like the easiest possible way to manage invites and information…

I’m also taking some time to make sure that the sites are updated regularly. As we all know, unless you blog/website/Facebook group is regularly updated with some interesting info, there’s no reason for anyone to go back to it. For us, there’s also plenty to talk about and promote. We’re all still very optimistic for the future (pending the next disappointment of course!), buoyed by the seemingly endless enthusiasm and support of our friends and supporters.

Oh, a quick shout-out to Debbie from our office. She’s been a bit poorly and was at home yesterday. Apparently she was ’so bored’ she read this blog. Cheers Debs!!

Quick request – please become a fan of the SMASH Facebook group! – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=676396886#/pages/SMASH-Youth-Project/157860607629?ref=mf (you can also get the latest skinny on the benefit gig I announced yesterday)

Benefit gig for The SMASH Youth Project at Riffs on Saturday 20th March!

SMASH is Swindon’s Youth Mentoring Charity which since 1999 has trained over 300 volunteers who have in turn supported hundreds more of Swindon’s most vulnerable young people to achieve their potential in life, sometimes when almost everyone else had given up on them. The Project is currently facing a funding shortfall and is desperately seeking sponsors so that it can continue it’s work. The gig at riffs will be a chance to raise some much needed funds but also a chance for the young people of swindon to show their support for the project and to let the people in power know that SMASH is something that they value. So right now we need two things. First we need bands who would like to play on the night. We already have a couple of local bands interested and there is the possibility of a big name at the top of the bill but if you are in a band and would like to show your support for the project please get in touch. Second we need a name for the event. Currently we have SMASHstock, SMASHfest, The SMASH Bash, SMASH Mash, SMASH Thrash or SMASH Box. Better ideas welcome! If you’d like to know more about what SMASH do or want to get involved you can have a look at their website at www.smash-youth-project.co.uk or give us a call on 01793 879297.

I’ve just had a very pleasant meeting with Mr Roger Ogle who runs the town’s Link Magazine and online newsletter.  He’s offered me the chance to do a 350 word piece on where we are with SMASH – so once its published, I’ll drop a link to the article (a link to the Link, confusingly!) – in the meantime, if you want to discover more about SMASH’s stomping ground, here’s the homepage:  http://www.swindonlink.com/

The local media are so important to projects like ours for getting news of our work out into the community… (and as far as I’m concerned, in this day and age, the local media are also crucial to the maintenance of the local community! ) Roger has been very supportive in the past – and its this sort of community spirit which makes a town like ours a nice place to live.

Here’s hoping there’s a chance that both some prospective mentors and maybe a funder or two read the piece!

Well, the meeting went very well indeed! Lots of encouraging words from Rob and some practical advice and offers of assistance. Once I’ve penned this, I’ll be off to write up my notes and see about  next steps.

Other bits of news are that our next fundraising extravaganzas seem to be taking shape – we have two music events in the offing: One in a local pub, and one planned for March in a larger music venue which may well see up to six local bands and MAYBE a nationally famous name on the bill! I will of course update you with the gossip (as well as lobby you to buy a ticket!) nearer the time. As Rob the Project Manager explained in the team meeting this morning, these events are as much about the publicity and awareness as they are the money raised. And talking of which, I have a meeting tomorrow with the chap who runs Swindon’s online newspaper, The Link…

… but maybe with a chink of light on the horizon? I won’t jinx things just yet, but watch this space…

Today we’re going to be hosting a visitor. One of the great things about SMASH is that we’ve always had great support from our two MPs, Anne Snelgrove and Michael Wills – although support also extends across all the mainstream political parties. Both the prospective parliamentary candidates from the conservatives have also offered us their help -  PPC Justin Thomlinson paid us a visit a couple of months ago – and today we’re receiving a visit from the PPC for South Swindon, Robert Buckland.

Robert’s a lawyer specialising in criminal law and he also sits on the Board of Governors at a local school and is a coordinator of the Swindon Special Educational Needs Network (SENN), so he already has something of an insight both into our work and the sorts of issues and challenges faced by yound people which we hope to help with at SMASH.

Of course, with our continuing hunt for funding to secure our future, every visit and gesture of support from those in a position of influence is incredibly welcome.  We’re hoping that someone within our network of friends and supporters will be able to make the difference – so if you’ve got a chance to spread the word about who we are and what we do, please do! And if you’re someone with something to offer and you want to visit, drop me a line…

The ‘British Social Attitudes’ survey is going to make for some interesting reading I suspect – as well as food for thought for many people working within the third sector:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8479624.stm

Its odd how apparently contradictory the attitudes of the British public can be: On the face of it, it looks like we’re becoming a far more liberal country – but its interesting to note that the report seems to indicate that whilst a more free and fair society, we expect other people (the mystical and mythical ‘them’) to go and fix its problems. Oh, and we also don’t want to pay anymore through taxation to achieve this Nirvana either.

I’ve got some chasing to do today. Perchance any trustees of SMASH are reading this blog, I need your biographies through ASAP! (We’re going to feature some profiles of who the trustees are and their backgrounds on the main website, and use this info to help support our applications for funding). I’m in nag mode today and I’ve already done a round of phonecalls and voicemails, so I’ll be crecking on with a round 2 later….!

A last quick snap of Norman post fight!

Hello all,

This Saturday I took a trip down to the Swindon Boxing accademy to lend my support to our very own Norman – mentor extrordinaire – and his very brave decision to step into the ring for a charity boxing match!

Norman had never boxed before – so the whole experience must have been quite daunting (not to mention exhausting – and possibly a bit painful!). Norman and support managed to raise a cracking £126 on the night – which added to Just Giving donations and matched funding meant we ended up with a grand total of over £1000. Way to go!!!

From my perspective, it was a real eye-opener. I must admit, boxing was something I wasn’t particularly comfortable with, but I’ve reassessed my view after Saturday.

The Swindon Boxing Accademy is based in a lovely old chapel building with a high vaulted ceiling. The first thing that strikes you when you enter is the amount of decoration – numerous cuttings, pictures, srticles t-shirts and items relating to boxing fill every square inch. But admidst them all are various philosophical quotes, and time and time again, you’re struck by the underlying themes of respect, honour, and seemingly counter-intuitive, ‘peace’.

But the first few bouts of the night revealed how this all works in practice: it seemed to me that amateur boxing was actually more akin to a martial art than two guys simply slugging away at each other: All the boxers were properly and carefully warmed up and equipped with headguards and gloves, each boxer touched gloves at the beginning and end of each round – and on every ocassion at the end of the bout, the protagonists gave each other a hug. The whole thing showed discipline, restraint and respect. As a result, I could see how and why these sorts of clubs can play a really positive role within their local communities, channeling aggression and showing a different path.

There is of course no sensible way of avoiding the fact that trying to thump someone is an inherently violent thing to do – but when combined with strict rules and ethics, I’m sure it would be a very effective way of dealing with the attitudes of violent young people – expecially those bullies who use their fists as a tool for power and intimidation. The boxing ring is a great leveller it would appear – and to even get to the stage of stepping within it requires a great deal of discipline to train to an acceptable standard.

Anyway, as I said, lots of thought provocation – and (unexpectedly) lots of fun

Norman’s Mum and his Partner, getting ready to break-out the Wtchhazel

Letters are off in the post today with a request for some help from our local council with our current accommodation costs.   Please keep your fingers crossed one-and-all for a positive response!

I’ve also been tasked with designing a poster for a fundraiser, though I’m something in a Catch 22 as its for a band night with a disco – trouble is, I don’t yet know the name of the band or the type of stuff they do, and I don’t know the name of the disco or what music they’ll be playing. All I’ve got is a date, a time and a venue, so my creative juioes have been dessicated for the time being! ‘Minimalist’ is all I’m coming up with at the moment

There are some other fund/awareness raising things in the offing too – a band night might be possible at one of the local venues…

On the subject of fundraisers. I just want to put a quick shout-out to one of our mentors, ‘Stormin’ Norman (well, its just Norman, but I think it’s an inevitable fight nickname!) – who bravely volunteered to undergo a gruelling training regime to be fit to enter a charity boxing match. Norman’s Big Fight happens this weekend! On Saturday the 23rd, our intrepid mentor  steps into the ring at The Swindon Boxing Accademy in Maxwell Street. The event will run from 6 to 11 – and will include Norman going (at least we hope he lasts that long!) three rounds against a 32 year old boxer called Nathan. Tickets should be available on the door – but call 01793 512936 to check availability and price. I’m going to pop along with my camera, so should have some (hopefully not too gory!) evidence of events on Monday.

…Time I guess to turn my attention to the brochure. I’m not sure if they have a copy of Micorsoft Publisher here, so I might have to bring in my laptop tomorrow…

The head of the project has left me with the user-name and password for the projects own blog which I was hoping to cross-link here today. Unfortunately, as he’s out the office and I’m having difficulty finding the log-in page on wordpad (watch this space however, we shall over-come!)

More snow today – something of a theme for 2010 – with a resulting and entertaining ‘drive’ into work (more of a sleigh-ride to be honest).

We’ve made a start on a ‘intro to SMASH’ video today… got a team meeting coming up in 20 minutes and then more editing later… pixelated retina, here we come.

< edit > – I’ve got the SMASH blog working! You can have a nose here: http://www.smash-youth-project.co.uk/?page_id=12

Doh. We’ve all had ‘em… and as I get older, on days like this, previously dormant Victor Meldrew genes start to take over and by 4.00pm I’m spitting tacks. Woe betide recalcitrant IT systems – or, in the case of today, endless tangles of bureaucratic nonsense!!!

Here we have a very successful, nationally recognised project, lauded by local councillors, supported by local MPs, prospective parliamentary candidates and activists of ALL political shades (its even endorsed by government ministers!) which addresses problems that seemingly EVERYONE agrees are on the increase. The importance of volunteers and the value of communities curing their own problems is recognised and extolled. The value of prevention rather than cure is recognised. The positive and measurable ROIs for the kind of work SMASH does are seen and recognised. The expertese of the workers here are lauded by the agencies…But… <pauses for breath mid rant>

…But whilst everyone is happy to offer their advice and support, we are as yet still without secured future funding!

I’m getting an insight into the complexity of making submissions for funding, and to say its labyrinthine would be an understatement. Maybe ‘arcane’ would be more appropriate. In fact, it seems almost as though some of the sources of funding have been set up like mythical quests, with flaming hoops to jump through, bottomless chasms to leap and weird riddles to be answered. Or maybe its four o’clock and I’ve drunk too much strong tea? Either way, the poor member of the project who’s taking on the bulk of the applications deserves a medal for his efforts.

The stupid thing is that you can bet your bottom dollar, that if we fail to get funding and the project folds, someone somewhere will have to reinvent the same wheel within a few months of our demise. It also means that in the interim,  we risk losing the wonderful expertise which has been built up over the last ten years and it means we risk missing out on a bunch of young people who desperately need help and guidance.

Anyone got any tips?!

I just wanted to put a shout-out to Vodafone Retail and my asigned Vodafone Buddy for helping me out with the issue I mentioned last week involving our emergency phone: A big big thanks ytou the Jared Llewellyn of the Swindon store and to his regional manager, Pete Marsh on behalf of everyone here at SMASH – your assistance is very much aprectiated!!

… and to quote another song writer, I don’t like Mondays! I had a fairly fitful night’s sleep, so I’m yawning approximately once every third typed sentence. I think the lack of reassuring cold meant that I couldn’t settled. A few cups of coffee have sorted the worst of my sleep debt so far – and with the news that MORE snow is expected from tomorrow, maybe I should be careful what I complain about!?

This morning’s local news has lead with a headline about a shooting in Swindon:  http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/4855605.Man_shot_in_Pinehurst/?ref=mr

Thankfully (for small mercies at least) it wasn’t fatal – and it sounds as though the police already have their suspect under arrest. But it has worried me that events took place within a few hundred yards of where a mentee of mine lives.

Swindon is hardly downtown Detroit, so this kind of thing is very much out of the ordinary. Interesting that legislation banning law abiding citizens from owning sporting firearms in the last 20 years seems to have had zero impact upon this type of crime. No doubt the gun in question had been acquired illegally – and similarly, there’s probably little doubt that the focus of events was drug related. No easy answers to situations like this – but yet again,  questions I’m asking myself are about the background and profile of those involved. What were their family backgrounds? (perhaps ‘family’ should have inverted commas) What adult role models did they have? What concept of the consequences of their actions did they have? Were their horizons so narrow that a culture of violence, intimidation and swagger was the norm?

I’d invite anyone venturing an opinion regarding whats wrong with our country, regardless of their political creed or bias, to go and spend some time on the run down estates which sit in every large town. The thing which astounded me most was the narrowness of many of the residents views and experiences. Its an old cliche to use the phrase ‘ghetto’ – but in many instances, it seems so true. These places can become almost totally isolated from the rest of the community and certain opinions and behaviours which would be totally unacceptable anywhere else become accepted as the norm.

One mentee I worked with had little or no conception of a world outside the estate – he literally hadn’t thought any further than that which he saw and experienced everyday (in fairness to him, how could he?) – so it wasn’t difficult for me to understand why so many of his peers had no more ambition than to emulate the lives of the adults which passed for role models: long term unemployment, teenage pregnancy, high levels of cannabis consumption and spending the rest of their time slumped in front of the Xbox or Sky. It wasn’t that he was incapable of anything else – simply that no one had ever really presented anything else to them as being either viable or desirable. One thing which mentoring can achieve is to simply show a world beyond their usual environment and a world in which another ordinary human – their mentor – can achieve positive exiting and desirable things.

A big thankyou to Mr John Hardy of Lynx DPM for helping out with the production of our new brochure! … and thanks for your call Mr Jameson (here’s hoping I can find the right person in Vodafone Retail to help). And thanks for your comments Julie and Sean! Lovely to know that even though I’m out of the office, the FRS team are still there to help

Today I’ve got to start thinking about a brochure, plus I’m going to start going through some video footage with a colleague to see about putting together a video about the project…. Other news is that a local politico on the council has pronounced that the voluntary sector is going to have to become ‘more efficient’… More news which bodes ill for future public funding methinks…

We need as permanent replacement foir the sick Emergancy Contact molbile here. As I need my own mobile to get on with my work, I’ve put a call into my assigned ‘Vodafone Buddy’ in Retail to see what he can suggest!

Interesting piece on The One Show tonight about the extent to which fire crews and ambulances on emergancy call-outs are being subjected to attacks by groups of youths. The emergancy services are running mentoring and education schemes showing the idiots making these attacks the impact of their actions.  Once again, its a simple case of adults showing youngsters that their actions have consequences…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/

Well, the snow has come down once again and is still falling. My car is virtually invisible beneath a fresh white blanket. The only vehicle to make it up my road was a Landrover – and its wheels were spinning most of the way. It looks like ANOTHER day in front of a coal fire looms! I can walk into work (about 2 miles) – but if I do in this weather, I need to make sure that someone else has made it in, as I don’t yet have a key!!! I’ve left a message on the answer machine, so whilst I wait for a call back, I’m adopting a bunker mentality and setting the microwave to warm some soup. How can I try to use my time constructively this morning? How’s about a little tale…?

An interesting (I say that, I probably really mean teeth-grindingly annoying) thing happened to me on my journey back from the Vodafone World Of Difference induction sessions. It raised all sorts of thoughts and consideration, acting as a real focus for my homeward-bound musings about the issues which SMASH tries to tackle.

As I trudged up Swindon’s main shopping street through the snow, I became aware of a group of a dozen or so rowdy kids, ages ranging from 12 to about 17, kicking lumps of ice about. One picked up a chunk and deliberately slung it into the window of one of the shops, the loud crash turning heads and shattering the quiet. Imediately, the standard 21st century reaction to a large group of youths kicked in. Shoppers and people on their way home turned the other way in fear. One of the smallest members of the tribe then turned his attention to a Big Issue salesman and tossed a lump of snow at him. Should I intervene, I wondered? Fortunately, he shrugged it off, and the troop of ‘little darlings’ continued their swaggering meader up the precinct. Unfortunately, it meant they were following the same path as me.

In preparation for the inevitable, I turned off my iPod to give me as much warning as possible for what was going to happen next. As the volume cut, I could hear a muttered conversation, from which I could make out amidst the obsenities, the words ‘foreigner in the hat’ (presumably me, being the only one hatted!). Then, with a smack, a piece of ice hit the back of my knee. It hurt. I wondered what was coming next.

Now, ‘having words’ with a dozen kids when you’re on your own is stupid. However, when you’re hot, tired and utterly fed up with feeling guilty about realising that the fear of youth is both a stereotype – and when (sadly) as in this case, it can be fully justified, an individual can find themselves acting before fully thinking through the consequences. I turned on my heel, walked up to the kid I suspected of throwing the ice and tried to get him to look into my eyes. ‘Chucking lumps of ice at people is NOT a good idea, is it?’ I got a sort of mumbled response before I realised that I’d bitten off more than I could chew. What could possibly happen next? Of course, I could stand there toe to toe all night with my four foot five attacker, or I could continue on my way home… but as soon as my back was turned, what did I honestly expect was going to happen?! Unfortunately, the latter was the only possible course of action – and from their perspective, so was the inevitable response from the youngsters: a barrage of missiles and insults persued me up the street. Fortunately for me, their aim was far wider than their vocabulary, so I managed to escape without further hits.

Why on earth would anyone want to work with kids like this, might be the obvious first question. Well, I’m not a paid up hippy by any stretch. If you’d have asked me the same question three years ago, my answer would have sat proudly alongside rabid Daily Mail readers ‘birch em all and bring back the stocks!’ armchair activism. But responses like that, as instinctive and natural as they are, are as unrealisitic as they are unhelpful and impotent. There comes a time (I believe) when people have to realise that the society we have is part of our collective responsibility. We are the ones who’ve voted for political parties who’ve shaped the way our society is policed and legislated. We are the ones who buy media which peddles fear. We are the ones who’s paranoia has created the restrictions which prevent us from taking action through the fear of the consequences. We are the ones who don’t take the time to get to know our own neighbours or interact and engage with the communities in which we live. So, it seems to me that if we’re fed up with the situation, it behoves us all to try to do something about it. Charity, as they say, begins at home – and in the case of my home-town, Swindon, SMASH is a very good example of people trying to put that sort of philosophy into direct and practical action.

Of course, I don’t know anything about the background of the kids in that gang – but if I was a betting man, I’d be placing good money on many of them being from unsettled family backgrounds. Most will probably be struggling at school. Certainly, the consequences of getting caught or held to account by an adult were of no interest – they, like so many others of their generation know that ordinary members of the public can’t touch them. Similarly, its also very difficult for the police or teachers or other agencies to do much beyond moving them on – either literally or metaphorically until such time that they cross the boundary into serious trouble. There has always been something of a gap before that point – but its one of the areas in which SMASH can help.

Having said all of that, the scope of the project covers much more than dealing with those young people who’ve been in trouble – it also covers a whole range of issues including those who’ve got unhappy home lives, difficulties with confidence and those who are lonely or feel excluded.

I’ve mentored three teenagers in the last three years. Two of them might have been part of that gang when I first met them. However, their involvement with SMASH made a real difference to their understanding of consequences. I’ll tell you how I think that happened in a later post…

Anyway, I’ve left messages back at SMASH HQ and its now gone 10.00…. Looks like no one else has made it in either! Next task for today is to track down a local politician who has expressed an interest in coming to visit the project – oh, and thanks to your helpful comments, its time to set up a Twitter account.

SMASH in the middle of things!!!

If you want to find out a little bit more about SMASH, visit the website at: http://www.smash-youth-project.co.uk/

You can also add to our coffers by making a donation via http://www.justgiving.com/smashyouthproject/Donate

Well,  I’m sat at my desk in a rather cold office (the heating is up the spout – perhaps an early task is to get in touch with the landlord to find out why!)

I’m still reeling a little from a hectic Monday up in London as part of the induction run by Vodafone for the 400 people who won a place on the World of Difference project.  Subjects covered off included the use of blogs and social media as a way of promoting the project – as well as how to use the nice shiny new mobile we were given as a means of sending posts and Twittering (hold that thought – gonna come back to that in a minute)…  Anyway, all good fun – but a bit knackering will all the travelling and having to trudge through all of the snow, leaving my car doing a good impression of an igloo on the steep hill outside my house. The new phone will be providing its first useful function tonight – the project workers here need to have someone on 24/7 duty just in case one of our mentees has an urgent problem – and it just so happens that the emergancy contact mobile is up the spout.  In steps the new phone!

Now, back to Twittering… Does anyone – outside of the media, Stephen Fry and the PR world – actually bother? (If Ally is reading this, the very mention of ‘Him’ will have her drooling in a pavlovian response)… Celebs committing their latest pronouncements of genius and wit aside, I’m a little sceptical about its value to be honest, but I’m willing to be educated. Does anyone reading this (he said, hopefully) have any views or suggestions? Can you think of any practical ways in which I can make Twitter work for me or SMASH?

OK – on to my to do list for today: A local prospective parliamentary candidate has kindly asked to come along for a visit to find out what we do, so I’m going to be checking diaries. Another local political activist from another party has left me a voicemail to ask if there’s anything they can do, so I’ve got to get back to him, I’ve got to update the blog (check!), sort my Vodafone dongle (check!) . The network SMASH uses is provided courtesy of the council – unfortunately, the restrictions on external access to the web are a little draconian, so having the dongle to use with my Dell netbook has already proven a real boon – and may also be of use to the other project workers, as some perfectly legit sites they need to visit appear to be verboten as far as their IT department are concerned!

Ok, thanks for taking the time to read so far. Please feel free to take the time to drop me a note back to let me know that these missives aren’t just floating off into the ether!

Well, here we are, up and running! I’ve just treated myself to a wireless dongle (by way of celebration!) so I can keep in touch and post regularly whilst I’m at SMASH.

So – who are they – and what will I be doing with them?

SMASH (Swindon Mentoring and Self Help) are a group who help coordinate volunteers from the community to spend time with some of Swindon’s troubled youngsters. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds – and have an equally wide variety of challenges and problems which range from unhappy home lives, trouble at school or brushes with the law. Essentially, our mission is to get to them before they go off the rails and to give them some simple old fashioned adult friendship, advice and above all time. Just three hours a week makes all the difference to these kids, and the trun around in behaviour and outlook is just incredible. I’ve been doing this for three years now – and get a real  kick out of seeing not only the massive difference we make to the youngsters – but also that its a community working together to address and solve its own problems, rather than leaving it to some mythical ‘them’ to sort out – be that a school, social workers or some other third party. All of those people work very hard of course, and we work closely with them – but I think its uniquely satisfying to see people power and engagement helping produce results.  What was it they used to say on MTV? ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem’….!!!!

This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time, as SMASH is now facing the challenge of securing its next round of funding. We were lucky enough (and obvious impressive enough!) to have received Big Lottery funding for the last three years – and as the last cheques are cashed, we need to make sure that the project is secure moving forwards. Thats where I come in! I’m going to be spending the next two months writing, calling, doorstopping and wracking my brains to think of people we can contact to help us jump the next financial hurdle.

So, if you’ve read this far and you can think of anyway of helping, let me know (he said cheekily, starting as he means to go on for the next eight weeks!)

More soon! – Tobes