Big Society's Big Mouth Powered by v

I am coming to the end of the vtalent year programme with Doncaster Youth Service, and have found it to be an amazing experience, giving me so much. Whilst helping the local Youth Service, I've met a great bunch of people, both on the programme themselves, and other workers. It's just a great shame that the project is coming to an end after a 2-year run, not to be repeated for the foreseeable future. Given David Cameron's "Big Society" ideas, we on vtalent in Doncaster would have thought that this sort of project would have fit right in, and could have even provided him with some sort of vanguard project, to hold up to the general public as a shining example?! But alas, it seems to have fallen through the cracks. Read less

What is wrong with this goverent? There still letting bankers get huge bonuses. Making good people redunant; they dont know when to stop cutting jobs. Whats the point in working, if benifits are as good, if not better then the money you recieve. High consel tax but massive savings on public services. Cutting police, nhs and fire. Why pay for a servies when there not fully provided; etc (less police officers). What if i want a job in the future and cant get one because of all the cuts and businesses just simply can't afford to take anyone on. Where I live youth unemployment is the worst effected in the country. Adult is any better. Even putting the VAT up doesnt seem like it would contrubute much. Again with all these saving; lets not fool are selfs millions and billions the goverment are saving according to the news, why are we still making people reduntant. Surly money can be saved else where like the olimpics. Thats costing loads and i dont think britian will be that intersted. Especially at a time when people are jobless and living on a few quid a week. I dont understand why cameroon can't just introduce a new tax if u like where everyone pays so much a month. Not deer; 10-15 pound and that goes towards paying the debt of. I would sooner do that then not having a job and money in the future. I do think however some useless jobs could go but not jobs we need. Thats what i think anyway.  Read less

Following the uprising in Tunisia, the Egyptian people have taken to the streets in an attempt to bring down their government. Demonstrations were planned and promoted on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter- both of which have been periodically blocked in Egypt (the government denies any involvement in this! cough cough). What are your thoughts on Britain's media coverage of the event? Do you think the BBC are providing us with enough information? Or do you think they're purposefully with-holding information for fear of sparking a chain reaction?

We may just be witnessing the start of a global revolution...... Read less

In 2009 I decided I wanted to connect with people locally to swap skills, but couldn't find a way to do so quickly, so I launched a website called Localskillswap. We now have 42 different groups across the country with over 400 members. If there isn't a group near you, you can just invite 6 of your friends to join you in setting one up. You can list all your skills (there are over 900 to choose from, including some localskillswap "specials" such as helping with shopping etc) and you can rate your proficiency from hobbyist to trained professional.
The main objective of the website is to help you find people in your area who you can connect with to swap skills and get things done for free, but the great spin off is that you connect with people locally and make contacts with people with great skills, who you didn't already know, who live on your doorstep! Read less