Your Connexions
Clare Caddick is a Peer Researcher and a member of Liverpool’s Xchange group.
Clare was employed for four weeks to devise a young person's guide to Connexions that reflects the Business Plan this year. Clare decided to call the document "Your Connexions"
Clare said "Your Connexions is basically a document informing young people what Connexions has to offer to them in regards to information, advice, guidance and support. Also, when they offer it, how it is accessible and how it would be beneficial to them. The document gives a young person's perspective and is suitable for ages 13-19”.
There were various consultation processes throughout the development of the document. Clare also tested out some aspects of the service and visited some of the Connexions centres to look at how young people are supported by Connexions staff, resources and presentation of the centre. Clare also talked to an online adviser at Connexions Direct to see how they handled an enquiry and used the Kudos career matching programme to ensure that it was user-friendly, useful and relevant to her career interests.
Clare added, “All in all, the test drives were a success, and my review reflects a very positive experience! After consultation, test drives and research, I took my findings to GoCr8, a local design and print company to meet with Paul Lin, Head Designer. We discussed things such as size, layout, font, colours etc. When the draft document comes back, more consultation with young people will take place, any amendments will be made and sent back to Paul Lin, and then the finished product will be printed and sent out. It surprised me to learn that Paul at GoCre8 was a young person himself who has set up in business. It was nice to be able to complete my project by working with another young person and supporting his business. I am happy to have worked alongside Connexions to produce "Your Connexions". It has been an enjoyable and beneficial experience”.
