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Congratulations to Brighton & Hove Year 11 students receiving GCSE results today. We’ve teamed up with Storythings to make this film especially for Year 11s. It features a new poem, ‘Extraordinary’ by Brighton Festival guest director Lemn Sissay MBE, together with messages from your schools.

This film was made by Storythings and Make (Good) Trouble with support from Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and Brighton & Hove Music & Arts. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Results Day Live Q&A

If you have questions about next steps for students moving on to college, whether to take exams in September or going back into education after lockdown, we’re hosting a live Q&A with educational specialist Jo Heywood on Facebook tonight (Thursday 20th) at 7pm. Do join us there and let us know if you have any questions for the Live event in advance by posting a comment here or on our Facebook page. See you there!

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Each month, Make (Good) Trouble highlights a charity or organisation that makes the world a better place. This month, we’re supporting Time to Talk Befriending.

I’ve just started volunteering for a fabulous charity – Time To Talk Befriending (TTTB) – they offer a befriending telephone service to help support isolated and lonely older people. Importantly, they bring people together from all generations.

They also have opportunities for young people to get involved, so if you are interested, here are the details:

  • 18–19 yr olds can sign up to become telephone befrienders. The main requirement is the young person feels comfortable and confident speaking over the phone. TTTB match volunteers with older people based on hobbies and interests so as much information you can give them the better. You must undertake a DBS check.
  • 16–18 yr olds can also sign up to become telephone befrienders. As under-18s cannot take a DBS check, they ask that the young person commit to making the calls when a parent/carer is around.
  • 14yrs + they have a newsletter that is send out to our members. They would welcome for anyone who is creative (drawings/poems/stories/quizzes/activities etc) to contribute. Ideally they are looking for content that can convey a positive message for scheme members, the majority of whom are aged 80+ and living with long-term health conditions.

Find out more about volunteering for TTTB here.

They are also looking for donations so they can continue to support people during the pandemic. Click here to find out more and donate to TTTB.

Visit the TTTB website

Find them on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

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Back in May, our teen reporter Lola spoke to Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, and asked her about what she was doing to safeguard young people during the pandemic. This month, we met up with Anne again, this time answering questions she’d put to our teens.

Watch the film to find out how our teens would like society to change and what they’d do if they were Prime Minister for a day…

Thanks to Lola, Liv, Jude, Gemma and Anne Longfield for giving their time for this interview.

You can watch the previous interview with Lola and Anne Longfield below

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Our Raising Teens radio show looks at domestic abuse this week and how lockdown has exacerbated the issue. The National Domestic Abuse helpline reports a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown. This episode aims to raise awareness and provide advice for those who may be listening and need help. Guests discuss all forms of family abuse including child to parent abuse. If you need help or support with this issue, we have included lots of useful resources at the bottom of this post.

Host Guy Lloyd talks to Jane Griffith, Director at the charity CAPA (Child and Adolescent to Parent Abuse), Alex Psaila from Relate and PC Roisin Vafaee from Sussex Police.

Our teen reporter, Lola Ray, talks to a mother and daughter who have experienced domestic violence and child to parent abuse in the home.

You can hear Raising Teens on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey at 7.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and online on BBC Sounds.

🔊 Listen to Raising Teens: Domestic abuse in Lockdown on BBC Sounds

Listen to previous episodes of Raising Teens:

🔊 Listen to Separated Parenting in Lockdown on BBC Sounds

🔊 Listen to Lockdown Home Schooling on BBC Sounds

🔊 Listen to Anxiety in a Pandemic on BBC Sounds

HELP & ADVICE

In an emergency call 999. If it is not safe for you to speak you can use the Silent Solution system – call 999, and if the operator hears no response, you will be directed to press ‘55’ if you need help. The conversation will then continue in a way that allows the caller to communicate by using yes/no to answer questions.

24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline freephone 0808 2000 247 

Refuge, supporting women and children who experience all forms of  violence and abuse

Women’s Aid, a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated

Rise, an independent, Brighton-based registered charity that helps people affected by domestic abuse. Rise offers practical help ranging from direct advice to refuge accommodation for those whose lives are at risk.

NSPCC: What is child abuse?

CAPA, responding to Child or Adolescent to Parent Abuse.​ Supporting parents, grandparents, carers, young people and professionals

Domestic Abuse Survivors’ Alliance, a Brighton-based peer support group for anyone who has experienced, or been affected by, domestic abuse.

The Portal, a partnership of leading Sussex Domestic and Sexual Abuse Charities with a combined experience of over 60 years supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and violence. Freephone 0300 323 9985  

Brighton & Hove Council help for victims of domestic abuse

Respect Phoneline, a confidential helpline, email and webchat service for domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them.  Freephone 0808 8024040

Survivor’s Network, offering support for those who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

HELP IN LOCKDOWN

If you are self-isolating with someone who makes you feel unsafe, Rise has produced a guide to help you stay safe at home during lockdown

HELP WITH DRUGS AND ADDICTION

Talk to Frank, information about drugs

Young Minds on drugs and alcohol

Childline, information about addiction