Social Spider works on ongoing projects with partner organisations, and also self-generates and seeks funding for social action projects in line with its commitment to helping people to communicate effectively. Social Spider is particularly interested in widening the opportunities for people to becoming involved in media projects and to find new ways of exploring and communicating their thoughts and feelings with the wider public.
Examples of current ongoing projects are:
One in Four: Social Spider conceived and raised funds for a pilot issue of One in Four, an aspirational lifestyle magazine written by and for people with mental health difficulties, that was published in 2007. Since June 2008, Social Spider has published One in Four on a quarterly basis. The ongoing publication of the magazine is funded through sales of multi-copy subscriptions to the magazine by organisations who distribute copies free to people who use their services.
Self Help Housing project: In November 2008, Social Spider received funding from the Tudor Trust to carry out a project promoting self help housing across England. The project, delivered in partnership with hact and Agents for Change will include an online information resource and active work to promote new projects. The website is here.
Contrast: a bi-monthly magazine produced by and for young people in the London Borough of Hackney. This project was commissioned by Hackney Youth Service and Social Spider receives funding to manage the project and publish the magazine. The young people involved in the project receive ongoing journalism training and accreditation.
Training in Creating Writing and Citizen Journalism: Social Spider is working with mental health charity PRA to run writing courses for some of the people that use their services. The Creative Writing course is based on a series of sessions where participants explore creative writing techniques and develop their skills before writing a contribution to a publication. The Citizen Journalism course is aimed at enabling participants to communicate their views and experiences effectively in various settings from newsletters to the mainstream media. The course looks at topics including: writing for an audience, skills such as research and interviewing, and how to present arguments in measured and objective ways.
Newington Green Now and Then: Social Spider has a contract with an arts-based local history project for young people to deliver a series of workshops in magazine journalism and design leading to the production of a publication.
Working for Wellness: Social Spider has written and researched the content for this new website for the London Mental Health and Employment Partnership.
|
; "Hidden Agendas")
; "Stonebridge Comic")
; "R U Dyslexic?")