Reimagining youth & children’s work in the digital worldPaul Windo, URBAN SAINTS

@paulwindo

Starting from the right place…• Educating not insulating• Masters or students?• Ready to engage?

Background• Paul Windo: Communications Manager• Urban Saints: interdenominational youth and

children’s organisation, supporting over 1200 groups and churches nationwide

• @Digi_YW to continue the conversation…

We need to understand…• The world that they are growing up in• How we can use technology to support them• What we offer that is counter-cultural• What the future might hold & where we fit in

The world has changed

The touchpad generation

Surrounded…

Surrounded…

The challenges of this world• Interaction• Presence• Identity• Authority• Health

Interaction

Presence

Identity

Authority

Health

Which are you…?

What can we do to support our young people?

• Educate• Protect• Engage with• Champion• Empower• Challenge

Using technology

What can we do to support our young people?

• Educate• Protect• Engage with• Champion• Empower• Challenge

Free resources

www.urbansaints.org/bigissues

(including a suggestion for a social media policy for youth workers etc.)

Relevant…

Making the most of screens

The digital antidote…• Physical community• Simulated experiences• The “I was there” factor• Silence & stillness

Meeting together…

“Let’s not give up meeting together, as some are in habit of doing…”

Hebrews 10:25

The future?• Pace of change is fast• New technology – new impact• Don’t be afraid to try• Take time to listen & observe• A unique opportunity…

In short…• Educate not insulate• Real and present not relevant• Involve your young people• Engage – carefully!• Look for non-digital experiences

Continue the conversation…

@Digi_YW

Paul Windo@paulwindo

Thanks for listening!