connect2gether our social networking service
matching young people with social networkers to support more choices, more chances
What is it?
Our new social networking service isn't on a computer. It's about meeting up with real people and getting together.
It's a fun and safe way to spend time with people.
Nightstop setup this volunteer social networking service to enable young folk to get in touch with someone wanting to volunteer their time and to share experiences. The Young people that use our service are from South Ayrshire, however Nightstop recruit networkers pan ayrshire and beyond if the volunteer is able to travel.
Who is it for?
connect2gether supports young people aged 16to25 who are vulnerably housed and feel isolated and would like to build, develop and expand the positive relationships in their lives.
Who long does it last?
The connect2gether project is ongoing. Volunteers will recieve support from the project's staff on a regular basis. The social networking service is a short term service and the time commitment to the service depends on the indiviadual you are matched with and their circumstances.
Why social networking?
The Scottish Social Networks successful development tool states:
A lack of positive social networks of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances we each individually have, is literally bad for your health and wellbeing. More specifically a lack of positive social networks:
Puts you at a greater risk of homelessness.
Makes the transition out of homelessness even more difficult than it already is.
Can lead to dependency on public funded support.
Often leads to failure to sustain a new tenancy and repeat episodes of homelessness-each more damaging than the last.
Personal networks are made up of:
family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances we each individually have.
people we know and who we can chat to or call on for help, pass the time of day with or seek advice from.
We tend to take our own networks for granted, when we have got them we probably don’t think about them.
It's easy to just pick up the phone or pop round for a chat.
We don't think twice about calling up our Mums and ask how to boil an egg or our mates to go to the pub.
Research suggests that homeless people have very restricted social networks and therefore have very few people they can call on.
The National Homeless Alliance report Beyond Help (O'Leary, 1997) found that
'homeless people… have fewer people in their primary support group' and that 'adults with a primary support group of 3 or fewer may be at greatest risk of experiencing mental health problems'. The most common reason given for being homeless is relationship breakdown whether with friends or family or partner.
Nightstop are currently working towards the APS Approved Providers Standard a National standard for mentoring and befriending schemes.
Supporting best practice LINKS
www.scottishsocialnetworks.org
www.befriendingnetworkscotland.org
If you are interested in volunteering please contact the office or text recruit to 07970 739 183
