Using MySpace to engage and involve young people in schools project

A SOCIAL networking site about a new schools programme has attracted more than 600 friends, mainly young people.
The website – on the giant MySpace system – carries the latest news about the school building project, up-to-the-minute photographs of the buildings under construction, comments and questions from young readers and links to newspaper articles.
It even rejoices in its very own theme song – Bob The Builder’s chart-topping ‘Can We Fix It?’
Now, whenever Lancashire County Council issues a press release about the programme it is automatically emailed to all of the projects’ 600-plus MySpace friends.
The MySpace page is at Lancashire Building Schools for the Future.
The friends who have signed up for the MySpace site include a fan club for Pendle actor John Simm, who starred in the hit BBC series, Life on Mars and Doctor Who. Other friends of the site include Burnley punk group the Not Sensibles and a heavy metal band from Australia called “Burnley”.
The Building Schools for the Future programme is a £250million investment by Lancashire County Council in new education facilities on nine sites in Burnley and Pendle.
Sound Director Miles Barter came up with the MySpace idea to help involve young people in plans for their own futures.
Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire county council’s cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “Our aim is to build a more-prosperous, better-educated and happier community in Burnley and Pendle.
“We want to make sure everyone is informed and involved. Especially school students, other young people and those who don’t consume the main stream
media.
“MySpace is a communication tool which they are comfortable with.
“In the first instance, we have concentrated on making friends with people from Burnley and Pendle – but MySpace users from all over Lancashire are welcome to sign up as our friends.
“We try to answer questions and comments wherever possible. We are happy to leave opposing points of view on the site – as long as they are not abusive,
and do not contain swear words.”
Other public authorities – including the Welsh Assembly – have since been advised by Miles on how to use social networks to reach and engage new, younger audiences.