Welcome to our final Storytelling Highlights of the year. Here we share what we’ve seen, heard or read about and would like to share with you. A quick reminder that there’s still time to snap up a place for the Social Media Exchange on 6th February! We have a very special keynote announcement to share in the new year, subscribe to our e-newsletter to be the first to hear.
This week we published our year in review, looking back at our storytelling training, events & story-gathering highlights from 2016 and the great organisations we’ve had the pleasure of working with. A huge thank you to everyone who has commissioned us to deliver such an exciting and diverse range of training workshops, webinars and storytelling projects throughout the year. And to those who attended our Social Media Exchange and Being the Story events.
Back to our highlights, you know the drill, make yourself a cup of tea, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy.
1. Local Charities Day
Today is Local Charities Day, a day to celebrate and show support for small, local charities across the UK. The Office for Civil Society has provided £250,000 in match funding to boost ‘Grow Your Tenner’ and support a #GiveMe5 campaign which will run today. Share your stories and thanks to small charities on the hashtag #LocalCharitiesDay.
2. Big Life Fix
Last week we included episode 1 of The Big Life Fix with Simon Reeve featuring Emma Lawton and episode 2 didn’t disappoint. Once again, a group of inventors came together to use their expertise to provide a solution to people facing different challenges. It was another emotional episode, this week saw the inventors help 56-year-old Graham, who is suffering from locked-in syndrome and hasn’t said a word for two years, communicate with those around him. Watch it here now.
3. NT100
Social technology funders Nominet Trust have been gathering entrants for their NT100 all year and the final list has just been released. The NT100 is a list of the top 100 most inspiring social innovations using digital technology to drive social change internationally. This years list features #BlackLivesMatter use of social media to encourage positive discourse about race and Bravemind, a VR therapy helping PTSD patients recover. You can view the full list here.
4. Operation People Power
This week hairy biker Dave Myers assembled a team of celebrities for Operation People Power to find out what can be achieved when volunteers come together to help others in need. Over five days we saw different celebrities give their time to support a different cause including helping those battling addiction, increasing social inclusion and creating a community garden in Bristol. Watch all five episodes here.
5. Sharing a Personal Story
Last week MP Michelle Thomson bravely shares her personal story of being raped as a teenage at a Commons debate focused on UN International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women. She, like many victims and survivors of abuse she felt too ashamed to tell anyone at the time but now she wants to highlight the importance of shattering the stigma around speaking out. More needs to be done as this week the UK Government has been urged to “take violence against women seriously” after failing to ratify a major international treaty on domestic violence which could improve the lives of those who are victims of rape, stalking and harassment.
Do keep us updated with what you think I should be finding out more about. And if you like what you read – do help us by sharing it and spreading the word
Jude and Helena the sounddelivery team
@sounddelivery
The Social Media Exchange returns on Monday 6th February at Resource for London, follow #SMEX17 on Twitter for updates. Our SMEX family keeps on growing so book your place now to be part of a practical and interactive day of digital storytelling skills. Keynote announcement coming in January!
