Social Media in Local Communities

Posted in Community, Internet, Lifestyle, featured

We’re all aware of the rise in ‘Social Media’ how it has been changing the way we live and communicate on a daily basis, however how are politicians embracing this technology in their campaigns and how does it benefit to people in the community? – I personally noticed a few public figures in my area harnessing this media for the good and so thought it would be appropriate to ask them why they have chosen to go down this route.

For those not aware of social media it’s a new online communication platform that creates communities of information, people and ideas being shared in a two-way environment. Councillors and Assemble Members can engage in conversation with people using this media. Examples of online tools include Twitter, Blogs, Facebook ‘Groups’, MySpace etc.

Alun Williams who’s a Plaid Cymru County Councillor for Aberystwyth Bronglais sees this technology as an extension to his current newsletter which he has been delivering for several years to keep residents informed. Alun writes on his blog about issues in his ward and Aberystwyth, “Blogs can be more frequent and immediate”, he also uses Twitter as “It’s good for sending out quick snippets or links and because people have to click to be a follower, you know they want to read them”.

Jonathan Morgan, a Conservative AM for Cardiff North agrees “It’s important for politicians to use all methods of communication to get their message across and engage with their constituents”. This means that especially for the younger generation or for the people with busy lifestyles that can’t get to these meetings, it’s nice to have all the information sent to them directly and read at their leisure. Jonathan said that he ‘has been able to raise issues, ignite local debate within the constituency and wider in the capital city’ it has also been a way in which he can keep people informed of the nature of his work. Twitter is an example of this where through a series of short status updates has given people an insight into his working life on a daily basis. On a personal note I feel this brings politicians to life, people now know what they’re getting up to.

Many news websites seem to focus on big issues regionally/nationally and have failed to realise that the smaller issues actually mean a lot to the people that live in those areas. As well politicians, it has allowed local people to write about and publish these news stories to local people. Wales Online has noticed the growing age of local issues and has even dedicated part of their website to local issues (YourCardiff). Alun says “There’s a real thirst out there for solid information and comment about local issues”.

At this stage it’s quite difficult to measure the success of social media on a political level. In the future there may be an opportunity to research the successful politicians against whether or not they use social media. Alun says “it’ll be regarded as essential to the role one day” and I think he’s right, one day you’ll need to be engaging on all levels of communication in order to get voters to vote for you. Jonathan “Over time twitter might be a better way to engage with younger voters who do not necessarily find local papers and party leaflets appealing”.

What’s next, an iPhone App?

Online Sources –

Alun Williams Blog – http://bronglais.blogspot.com/
Follow Him – http://twitter.com/Alun_Williams

Jonathan Morgan Online – http://www.jonathanmorganam.com/
Follow Him -  http://twitter.com/jonmorganam

YourCardiff – http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk

iPhone 4 for £210?

Posted in Internet, Lifestyle

For some reason I found myself searching for an Apply iPhone on eBay yesterday and strangely whilst looking at listings found someone wanting to make an offer of £210 inc delivery for an iPhone 4. Now the Apple Website sell these devices brand new for a minimum of £499 and are going for between £500 – 750 on eBay, however one ebayer thought he’d try his luck and see if he could get it for less than half the price.

Of course the seller declined the offer but I just wanted to randomly share question and answer made by the potential buyer.

Who else would try this on?

Guest Posting at YourCardiff

Posted in Community, Internet

Today my first guest post was published on the YourCardiff section of Wales Online. The article is about my time volunteering in the community of Old St Mellons and was written to inspire others about volunteering in their areas. You find that you go into these projects to put something back into the area and even though you’re giving up your time for free you’re able to benefit from gaining experience and making contacts which can eventually lead you into paid work.

I recommend everyone take a read of it here: http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/2010/07/06/volunteering-on-old-st-mellons-community-website/

A Local Volunteer, Cardiff

Posted in Cardiff, Community, Internet

Let me start by introducing myself, my name is Rhys Gregory and I’m a current Management and Business Student studying at Aberystwyth University. Since an early age I have been involved in community projects in the St Mellons and Old St Mellons suburb of Cardiff. It was recently suggested to me by Jane Rogers, County Councillor for the area to write an article on how I came about volunteering in the area, hopefully inspiring others and showing just how easy it is to make a big difference to the area.

Back in 2003/4 I had an idea for a community website for the St Mellons area, I still have the drawings to the original website! – I want a website for the area firstly because of my involvement in projects but also combining this with my passion for ICT. A lot of people live in the area and I was confident at the time that many didn’t interact and thought a website would help bring everybody together… share ideas on improving the area etc. Due to my age I was quite limited to what ‘difference’ I could make. I remember the days of pestering Councillor Ralph Cook about setting up the website but never really got anywhere with it.

Over the next couple of years I developed a small community website, taking photos of the areas amenities such as the library, community centre, churches and schools. At this point ‘Marge Wyton’ got in contact, the Senior into Work Advisor based in the St Mellons Enterprise Centre along Crickhowell Road. I remember having a meeting with her regarding the possibility of this community website and turning it into the communication platform that we wanted. Again due to my age… and where I was at with School we weren’t able to really take the idea forward.

My website became outdated but I still wanted some sort of communication platform for the surrounding area… this when I noticed the Old St Mellons Website (http://www.oldstmellons.co.uk). I remember sending a begging email to ‘Jane Rogers’ who had just recently taken over updating the website… “Oh Please Can I Help” – expecting not to get a reply I was surprised when I did hear back… and my age never seemed to be an issue, more than willing to meet-up with me as soon as possible to get to grips with what could be done.

I remember when I first started off… just ‘adding’ information to the website… events… dates.. meeting information to the existing design. Taking my work home with me I started to dig around and research a better design for the website. After having permission to update the look of the website, it rapidly changed with a complete makeover!  The website grew over-time… with the design being updated with new graphics quite quickly of the next couple of years… even to the extent of ‘themes’ so the website looked different to suit every season. Heading back to the routes of ‘communication’ I set about a content management system.. to allow users to submit their own content automatically, as well as developing a meeting minute database to easily store and display important information. One of my most memorable contributions was from Andy Kendall, who single handily send me over written content on the Wildlife and Environment of Old St Mellons, this instantly allowed us to launch the Environment and Wildlife Area!

Keeping up with the theme of ‘Communication’, the village was entered and won the 2008 Calor Gas Village of the Year Communication Award. The council gained £500 for this and have plans to put it to good use. The presentation given to the Judges involved telling them about the difference the website had made, with aims and objectives for the future.

Some people don’t like the idea of volunteering, unpaid work for time and effort that has to be put in but it can really open doors for you… it isn’t always about ‘money’, it’s a reward in itself. Making life contacts with some very powerful and affluent people in Old St Mellons… Jane Rogers, (County Councillor), Dianne Rees (County Councillor & Deputy Lord Mayor) as many others. You get to meet some very interesting people, gain some experience which has even led to some paid work as a result.

I will always remain active in Old St Mellons, St Mellons and Cardiff, even though I recently departed my post as Webmaster of the Community Website they are more than welcome to call upon my advice in taking the website to the next ‘Social Media’ level. I think it’s time for the next generation of volunteers to gain some experience of their own like I have. It’s also great to see someone taking over http://www.stmellons.org.uk (A website address I used to own) and putting it to good use

Rhys Gregory

Webmaster for Old St Mellons 2006 – 2010.

rhys@gregoryfamily.co.uk