Let’s get digital! Community connection online

At the beginning of May, we held our spring regional meetings with a Covid-era twist. Representatives from our Foyers across the UK came together online to share innovations, learn from each other’s practices, and get inspired about all things digital with guest speakers from The Mix.

Taking things online removed the need for regional groups and we were excited to bring together network members from opposite ends of the country. Staff from as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Truro were able to meet, network and find solutions to the challenges most Foyers face.

We discussed the new challenges and opportunities that have arisen in light of the pandemic. Issues like move-on and technology varied regionally and between services, while others are being felt across the whole network. These included mental health and isolation, and difficulty encouraging young people to stick to social distancing.

The overall picture, though, was one of resilience and savviness. We heard of digital yoga sessions, creative use of social media, video call one-to-ones and wellbeing packs being sent out to residents. Here are just some of the fantastic things that have been going on:

• Foyers with patchy WiFi secured funding to have it in every room.
• Foyers have attracted donations and funding to ensure young people have devices to access the internet and stave off loneliness.
• Young people who have historically been less likely to engage in face-to-face activities have found it easier to reach out more through digital channels.
• Gated services have granted young people their own keys for the first time with positive results.
• Taking an Advantaged Thinking approach to following government guidelines worked in some Foyers, with awards given when it was done well rather than telling-offs when it wasn’t.
• Larger services called in extra staff from other areas of their organisation to check in on young people, and have called in help from linked cafes to ensure residents have nutritious food to eat.
• They have also stepped in to help other local services, like domestic violence organisations in need of beds.
• Donations of KFC and Easter eggs kept residents (and their tastebuds) happy!

We were delighted to be joined by guest speakers Chris Martin, CEO, and Ed Emond, Head of Youth Engagement, from The Mix. They shared their insights from working digitally with more than 2.5 million young people every year and discussed ways to keep young people safe and engaged online.

One of the positives we can take from this altered society is the range of digital options we’ve had to pick up in order to continue to deliver for young people. With the ideas and concepts from Chris and Ed, Foyers can begin to build strong, sustainable online offers that will survive beyond social distancing.