Endure Fort» Blue Horizon Youth

Bus Driver me?!

Chris — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:53:54 +0000

The last two days have been quite exciting, and nerve-wracking, for me. If you follow me on Twitter (@Chris_Hoskins) or are my friend on facebook, you may have noticed that I’ve been learning to drive the Blue Horizon Bus.
Until Tuesday, the biggest vehicle I’d ever driven was Linda and I’s Ford Fiesta – maybe 8/9 foot long and 5 foot high, the bus is 35 foot long and 14.5 foot high!
It went well though, the instructor (Gibby from Whytes coaches in Inverurie) even commented on how naturally it all came to me.
It was quite a cool experience learning to drive the bus, though I still need a fair bit of practice just to get used to the size and weight of the bus. It certainly gives you a new appreciation of how you drive when in your car!
If your ever in Aberdeen, give me a shout, I’d be more than happy to show you the bus!
Peace out

Bravery….

Chris — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:15:50 +0000

Tonight I was out working on the Blue Horizon Street Outreach Bus. On the upper deck we often have singstar in the PS2 – which the girls usually love using, tonight however, we didn’t have any girls, just boys for the whole night. Most of the guys had no interest in singing – at least, the ‘leader’ didn’t and so the rest didn’t. That didn’t perturb one young lad. He’s the kind of lad who doesn’t necesarily go along with the crowd, doesn’t really have any interest in doing something he’s not interested in or not doing something he is interested in. So this lad started singing, much to the amusement of the other guys on the bus. The first song he sang he took a lot of stick for, but it didn’t seem to affect him. So he started a second song, no-one joined him, but no-once heckled him. They all seemed to reach the realisation at around the same time that this lad was good. There were remarks that his voice sounded like a girls, and sure, his voice doesn’t match James Earl – Jones, but he quite happily sang on. He didn’t get embarrassed, scared, self-conscious or anything like that, he just kept singing.

I think it took a lot of bravery on his part to do that. I don’t think I could have at his age. To be 12, surrounded by your peers, and continue to do something they are all making fun of takes a lot of cohones. All power to him I say!

Just a wee story that I saw act out tonight that I wanted to share.

Peace Out

Art Exhibition – Blue Horizon

Chris — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:53:14 +0000

My amazing wife Linda, is organising an art exhibition to try and gain some exposure for her and some artist friends and also to try and raise some funds for Blue Horizon. Some of her friends from her Art Degree course will be displaying work, as well as a few artist who have graduated and 1 or 2 photographers. The art on display is not purely for viewing, it is also a sale of work. It is taking place at the Credo Christian centre in Aberdeen. As well as showcasing some upcoming artists, there will be presentations about Blue Horizon and our work, and the opportunity to chat to the staff of Blue Horizon and of course the artists themselves. It should be a great event, and if you can manage to come along it would be awesome to see you there. If you click the link below, it will open up the amazing poster advertising the event – designed by Andrew Dunsire, Linda’s Dad.

AFAS-exhibit-poster

school assemblie

Chris — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:24:36 +0000

I’m sitting in Kincorth academy waiting to do an assembly to a group of third years (young people aged 14 for those who don’t follow the Scottish schools system). I’ve never been a fan of doing assemblies – or any public speaking to large groups. I get quite nervous and often forget what I’m going to say – despite having good notes! I also struggle, as I’m sure many do, to know what I can substantially say in 5minutes? Half of which is taken up by announcements from the school!
Today I’m talking about Blue Horizon and the opportunities we can offer Young People – which really can’t be done justice in 5 minutes! I’m asking the school if we can take part in the social education classes though, that way we can go more in depth with the pupils and even get some feedback on how/ what Blue Horizon is doing!
Have you ever done school assemblies?
What were they on?
Do you enjoy them?

Peace out

Blue Horizon Social Media Training

Chris — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:45:46 +0000

Stewart Cutler is up in Aberdeen with us today taking the blue Horizon staff and some of the board through some social media training.

At the moment we’re talking about blog, everyone is setting up a wordpress and account and having their first go at blogging.

It’s been an interesting day so far, I look forward to hearing their comments at the end of the day after we’ve done even more with them!

Blue Horizon Outreach Bus

Chris Hoskins — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:48:15 +0000

Today marks me working with Blue Horizon for 2 weeks now. I feel like I’m settling in well, getting on well with the staff and really enjoying the aspects of my job I’ve discovered so far!
But this post isn’t about me and how I’m fitting in, it’s about a bus. One of the many exciting areas of the project that helps make Blue Horizon a unique project in Aberdeen, quite possibly even Scotland! Here’s what our website says about the point of the bus:

* A safe and welcoming place where young people can hang out, meet friends and enjoy evenings in their neighbourhoods.
* A café and meeting area within the bus, fitted out with audio and visual technology, game stations, and a cafe area.
* A team of youth oriented volunteers and workers to facilitate activities and available to discuss issues and problems.
* A hub for a range of street based, park or car park youth activities such as street football, hockey, skateboard.
* A venue for informal learning enabling young people to explore through different media youth relevant issues, beliefs and choices.
* A point of contact with other youth support services.

It is an awesome project to have on the go. I’m looking forward to going out with the bus once it starts up again this week and seeing it in action!

In the meantime, here are some photos I took when visiting the bus for the first time yesterday:

The Bus along with Ali, who takes care of it for Blue Horizon

Stairs and the kitchen area at the front of the bus

Games console area at the back of the bottom deck

Video area at the back of the top deck

front of the top deck, comfy seats, a 1-1 booth and a wee soundproof music room at the front

The 1-1 booth, used if a young person wants to speak to a member of the bus staff

The soundproof music room at the front of the bus

As my time with Blue Horizon goes on, I’ll be posting more about some of the awesome stuff the staff here do, I’m considering starting a Blue Horizon Blog…?

In the meantime, I encourage you to go to our website, and if you have any question please don’t hesitate to email me, or a relevant member of staff. All our email addresses are available on the website.

Peace out

Reflecting on my first few days…..

Chris Hoskins — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:57:23 +0000

Day 3 as projects director at Blue Horizon. Had a great moment today where I thought to myself ‘I can do this job!’ I’ve had a few moments over the last few months where I’ve been thinking ‘Can I do this? Do I really have what it takes? Am I organised enough? Are the skills there in me to do this?’ Lots of self doubt about my ability to do this job. I still feel slightly overwhelmed, but then there is a lot to take in. And my plan to cope with that seems to be working, breaking it all up into small chunks and focusing on 1 part at a time. If I try and figure it all out in one go in my first week I’m doomed to failure. I’m just taking each section and each day as it comes and taking time every day to reflect on what new stuff has come to light during the day and figuring out how it all fits together! I’m sure some of the staff must think I’m doing nothing at times as I sit with my brow furled trying to fit the jigsaw together in my head!
I’m having a great time though. The staff who I’ve met so far (4/5) are awesome, fun, friendly, hard working and making me feel very welcome and at home! I’ve yet to meet most of the board, but I’m assured they’re great. I know all 3 ministers connected to the charity and they’re all quite sound!
The thing I’m loving most about this job is that I’m in an office with people. So much of my time in my last 2 jobs was spent sitting by myself in an office reading, researching, planning and emailing. I’m very much a people person, I thrive when I’m around others, it gives me so much energy to be with others.
The work being done by Blue Horizon and its staff and volunteers sounds incredible. I’ll be writing about that at somepoint in the future. If you’re ever in Aberdeen and want to swing by the office and find out a bit more about the work, or if you want to meet for a coffee to hear about the work just fire me a message through whatever contact details you have for me, whether its a message hear, facebooking me, a tweet, a text whatever. You’re all more than welcome to pop up and visit!
Peace Out

Chris

Big change!

Chris Hoskins — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:40:21 +0000

I’m very aware that I’ve been quite absent from my blog recently. I’ve been going through a very busy period!
I’ve been wrapping things up in Portlethen, where I’ve been the youthworker for 2 years. I’m leaving there for a new job as projects director at Blue Horizon. I’m quite excited about it!!
If you’re a regular on here, you’ll hear plenty about it over the next few months, amongst many other things that have been rattling around my head the last few weeks!
Anyway, just wanted to check in and be excited about starting my new job with as many people as possible!