Changes to online services
As part of the service changes this autumn there will be changes to websites for young people.
A new website will be launched for children and young people, that includes content from other websites including this one.
It has been designed in consultation with young people and will be called oxme.info!
The site will be divided into separate sub-sites according to age. Content from Spired.com will mostly go into the 13-19 website, Oxcentric.
What about everything on Spired?
Don't worry, we've been keeping a close eye on what bits of the website are used most and we'll be taking them across and putting them on the new website.
You can already visit some of them, though they will look different when they're part of the new website:
Whose idea was this?
Young People: The Participation and Play Team are in charge of the new website project and made it a truly young-person led project. During the planning process there has been masses of feedback and creative input from young people around everything from the name to the navigation.
Workers: Over the last two years we have been trialling online work, providing support on Facebook and via web-chat, improving on-line tools and generally making the online offer more valuable for local young people. We have been working to produce a website that delivers real tools to help young people.
Managers: Getting Spired.com redesigned and brought in-house has been planned for years now, by the Integrated Youth Support Service. But presenting online information has been a low priority compared to delivering face-to-face services. This year, as services have changed, more effort is being put into online services, so we can reach more people and provide better support.
Maybe yours? The new website will grow and change as time goes by and in order to make sure it stays relevant, useful and right we will be recruiting an advisory board open to anyone in Oxfordshire with an interest in delivering information online to young people; including young people themselves, of course. You can pre-register an interest by emailing karin.cook@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Do I have to change my bookmarks?
Not for the moment, no. We'll be keeping Spired.com up for a little while so that everyone can be directed through to the new content. You'll still be able to use the old email addresses and old web addresses. But as time goes by we'll start to link through to the new content.
I don't want to lose my favourite content!
You can help us look after the content you value by letting us know that a page is used. If there's something you're keen to see transferred to the new service, please let us know by emailing webmaster@spired.com
What about my news stories?
You can still keep on sending in news stories about issues, events and projects for Young People in Oxfordshire.
You should send them to oxcentric if they are suitable for older children and young people, or boombox for younger children
