What Are Online Workshops?

Online workshops are free group sessions for young people from Croydon, Sutton or Merton. We share practical tips and info about issues you might be struggling with and there is also the opportunity to meet other young people and share ideas in a safe, secure and confidential chat room.

WHAT WE DO

Workshops are short, interactive, group sessions that take place on a particular day/time (see What’s On for upcoming sessions), bringing you together with others to talk about issues like:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Relationships
• Confidence Building

The sessions will be facilitated by members of our online team and you will be able to sit and watch/listen and join in via the chat box. To find out more about what happens in these workshops, click here for more information.

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?

When something feels really overwhelming, we can often feel completely alone. We might be desperate for help, but find the idea of ‘talking’ to someone virtually impossible. That’s where these online wokshops come in, because you don’t have to meet someone face to face and you don’t have to ‘talk’ (or type!) if you don’t want to!

Our workshops give you the chance to get together with other people who are struggling with similar issues. You get the chance to find out more about what you are struggling with, as well as the chance to talk to other young people facing similar issues, which can help you to feel less alone as well as give you helpful hints on how to manage your problems.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each online workshop is 30 minutes to an hour long. There’ll usually be around five to ten people at the workshop, including two facilitators and other young people from Croydon, Sutton and Merton who want to explore this particular issue.

Check out our YouTube Video to find out a bit more about how it works and to get an insight into what to expect if you come along.

Some of the topics that are covered include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Relationships
• Confidence Building

DURING THE SESSION

At the beginning of the session, the people facilitating the session will say hello and explain what is going to happen in the workshop. They’ll be a reminder about the group guidelines as we want everyone coming to the workshop to know that things will be kept private and that what they say will be respected.

Depending on which workshop you’re signed up for, there’ll be a bit of an introduction about that particular topic to help you understand the issue in more detail. There’ll be a chance to talk about people’s experiences using the chat room, but there will never be any pressure to share, you can just sit and watch if you want to. The workshops have a practical focus, looking at coping strategies and positive things that might help when facing the particular issue you’re dealing with.

GETTING REGISTERED

If you’d like to attend an online workshop that’s coming up (What’s On), you need to register first. When you register, we will ask you a few questions about yourself. All of this information is subject to our data policy and will be kept private and confidential. However, we do ask that when you register, you pick a display name that is not your real name, so that you feel able to chat in the workshop knowing things are anonymous and confidential.

SIGNING UP

Once you’re registered, you’ll be invited to sign up for some of the online workshops that are coming soon. Have a look at what’s on and sign up to a session that is running at a convenient time for you. 

Once you’re signed up, we’ll send you some reminders by email ahead of the workshop. All you have to do is log in on the day, before the session, and you’ll be automatically sent to the workshop.

Before you can join, you’ll have to answer a few quick questions, so that we can get an idea of how you’re feeling (if we’re concerned about how you’re feeling, we will get in touch with you either during or after the workshop to make sure you're okay - see here for more information).

What device or browser is best to access the online workshop?

The online workshop room works best on a laptop or desktop computer. This will give you a larger screen and the ability to see the presenters, watch videos and use the chat room all at the same time. We use a platform called ClickMeeting, a browser-based platform, this means that you will need the latest official versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera to access the workshop. Please note: workshops do not work in Internet Explorer.

You can also access via tablet or mobile via your browser, no need to download the Clickmeeting app.

Feedback

Because we're always looking for ways to improve, at the end of the sessions we’ll ask you quickly for your feedback. If you found the session useful, then you’re very welcome to sign up for more. Simply return to the What’s on page and sign up to another session that you’re interested in

Getting along in the group

We ask that everyone who attends a SkyCast agrees to our group guidelines at the start of every session.

1. Look after yourself: Please do take a break if you feel emotional during a SkyCast session. Or, you can use the ‘ I Need Help Now’ button which will be pointed out by the person hosting the session. This button sends us an email alert and one of the team can then contact you after the session with some useful links and information for further support.
   
   
2. Confidentiality: Everything you choose to share stays confidential within the group. You'll agree to respect each other's privacy and keep things confidential. If you think you recognise someone in the room please keep this to yourself and be respectful. If you're concerned about something, you can press the 'I need help now' button and speak to the facilitators privately about your concerns after the workshop; we will always take action to make sure you and others are safe. Don't post any personal details such as contact details or your real name. This helps us all to stay safe and anonymous.
   
   
3. Focus! If you usually like to multi-task online then we ask you to sit back, put your mobile on silent, close down you're other tabs and focus on the session whilst it's happening. This will really help you to get the most from the SkyCast.
   
   
4. Respect others - we're all from different backgrounds and have had different life experiences. You'll agree to respect other members' ideas and listen to one another without judging.

Keeping Connected

Looking for a safe space to meet up online, meet others, learn some new coping skills or chat about what's going on in the world? Keeping Connected is a weekly meet up open to everyone!

It's a friendly, non-judgemental space hosted by two of our staff every Tuesday evening at 5pm. 

Our facilitators will host the session and you'll be able to watch them on video or chat to them through the chat box. Don't worry, you don't have to be on video yourself. You can sit back and enjoy the session and chat as much or as little as you like.

Each week we'll let you know what the focus of the session is going to be on the What's On Page where you can also sign up for the session by clicking on the 'Register for Workshop' button.

Previous topics have included Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, coping with uncertainty, climate change, mental health and more. 

If you have any questions about the group and how it works just email us via onlineworkshops@talkofftherecord.org

Look forward to seeing you there!