The Mix (charity)

The Mix is a digital charity in the United Kingdom. It provides information and emotional support to young people under the age of 25 through virtual channels - notably websites, mobile apps, social media and a helpline. The Mix was formed in Jan 2016 from the merger of two youth charities: YouthNet (founded in 1995) and Get Connected (founded in 1999).

Core services

The Mix website publishes frank and jargon-free articles, videos and Q&As - created by both young people and experts - to empower young people to take informed decisions in their life. The website also hosts moderated peer support services that encourage young people to share their experiences to inspire and help others as well as live chats where young people can discuss problems with peers and experts.

The Mix’s helpline provides help via phone, email or web chat. It includes a telephone counselling service that is provided by qualified counsellors and is a self-referring service.

The Mix also offers a series of online training courses which aim to develop young people’s skills to improve their employability and help them deal with the challenges they face in life.

Apps and tools

"Stressheads" is an app available on Android and iOS devices, and through internet browsers, designed as a distraction tool for young people. It was co-created by a group of young volunteers, YouthNet (now The Mix) and Neon Tribe. It was supported by Capital One. "Stepfinder" is a mobile app available on iOS devices that helps young people pin-point the nearest support service to them. The app was developed with Scramboo.

"Motimator" is a mobile app available on Android and iOS devices, created to inspire and motivate young job-seekers on their journey to employment. It was launched by YouthNet (now The Mix), together with O2.[1]

"Home Truths" is a web tool that helps young people to live independently and understand what to expect from living on their own for the first time. This tool was built with the support of Experian and Affinity Sutton.

"Define Me" is a web tool that helps young people translate their experiences into skills employers are looking for. It was developed with the support of UBS AG.

"Let’s Talk Consent Tool" is a web app that guides users through a series of questions designed to help people understand if they are legally allowed to have sex with someone.

Youth research and insights

To build a better understand of young people and respond to their needs, The Mix develops many of its services in coordination with young people – through co-creation sessions. It has also led several research pieces to better understand young people, their behaviour, the challenges they face and the lives the lead. These include:

  • Youth Employability: Pining Down the Future of Digital Badging[2] (2017) - A report that concluded a two-year project.[3] Its intention was to improve youth employability in the UK and Denmark by developing informal learning options online that could be recognised with the awarding of a digital badge that could be transferable across Europe. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and conducted by The Mix and the Centre for Digital Youth Care (CDYC).
  • YouthLabs – Young People’s on-going relationship with social media[4] (2015) - An ethnographic research project created by YouthNet (now The Mix) and DigitasLBi.[5] It was designed to capture the voices, opinions and concerns of young people engaging with social media in the UK.
  • Connected Generation report[6] (2015) - Get Connected (now The Mix) asked 5,000 children and young people under 25 across the UK about the issues they face in the modern world, as well as how well they feel supported and how they prefer to seek help if they face a personal problem
  • Connecting the dots ([7] 2014) - YouthNet conducted a three-month, collaborative research project[8] with employers, sector colleagues working around employability and young people to explore the role that digital support can play in supporting a young person’s journey to work.
  • Hidden homelessness in young people[9] (2013) - A research project that explored how young people reach a state of homelessness. YouthNet (now The Mix) led a six-month, collaborative research project[10] with leading housing experts and young people to explore the role that digital support can play in supporting those young people experiencing homelessness.
  • Supporting young people through mobile technology[11] (2013) - This research identified insights and trends in the way young people seek help in the mobile environment. It demonstrates YouthNet’s (now The Mix’s) innovative approach to supporting them.

Organisation

The Mix is made up of a mixture of paid staff and volunteers. It is one of eight charity partners working with Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to deliver Heads Together, a nationwide campaign challenging stigma around mental health.[12] It works with several other organisations – including CentrePoint[13] - to deliver support services to young people.

The CEO is Chris Martin

See also

References

  1. ↑ Packham, Amy (Go Think Big). "We tested an app for job seekers and this is what we found". https://gothinkbig.co.uk/. Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |website= (help)
  2. ↑ "Youth employability: pinning down the future of digital badges".
  3. ↑ "The role of digital badges for young people".
  4. ↑ "YouthLabs".
  5. ↑ Connelly, Tony. "DigitasLBi and UK youth charity YouthNet partner for insight platform". The Drum.
  6. ↑ "Connected Generation Report". Get Connected. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ↑ "Connecting the Dots".
  8. ↑ "Bringing young people and employers together".
  9. ↑ "Hidden Homelessness in Young People".
  10. ↑ "Our exploration stage into hidden homeless in young people".
  11. ↑ "Supporting young people through mobile technology".
  12. ↑ Palmer, Richard. "Duchess of Cambridge Kate decks the halls with William and Harry at Christmas party". The Express.
  13. ↑ Watts, Matt. "Centrepoint and The Mix call on volunteers to help staff UK's first helpline for young and homeless". The Standard.
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