A MAGAZINE written by young people for Swindon youngsters will be launched next Spring.

The scheme, which is organised by not-for-profit the Platform Project, will feature writing and videos by teens looking at social issues, fashion and music.

The idea for the magazine came from youngsters involved in the Platform Project itself, said director Sadie Sharp.

They had been inspired by a week-long course in February that saw them document the plight of Swindon’s homeless, shooting video interviews with town charity chiefs helping rough sleepers off the streets.

Sadie, an Old Town businesswoman, said the experience left them with a taste for making a difference through journalism.

She added: “The young people said, ‘We can looking into issues, research them and try and do something to help with them. We want to do that on a more ongoing basis and we want to do more to identify the causes.”

A team of around 20 youngsters aged 13-20 will be recruited for the year-long magazine project.

The teenagers will be the ones to set the editorial direction of the magazine, as well as decide on some fundamental things like whether or not the magazine will be published online or in print.

Sadie said the magazine’s young staff will do everything from manage the website, marketing and social media to producing videos for the project’s YouTube channel. And all of it will be done on the teens’ Saturdays off from school.

It follows a number of successful BBC Apprentice-style challenges organised by the Platform Project since it was launched in 2017. Young people have been divided into teams, paired with mentors and challenged to take on tasks like developing business plans and pitch products to Swindon and Wiltshire business chiefs.

Sadie Sharp said: “All of the activities we do are focussed on helping our participants try different self-employed skill sets. The youth magazine suits this theme perfectly.

"The magazine was the idea of our participants. They have an interest in so many areas of life and regularly consume content online, but often have no idea about how to use those online mediums to have a voice and influence the world.

"I figured it was my job to try and find an innovative way for them to do that, in a real environment, while learning how to be self-employed. The youth magazine does just that."

If you are interested in taking part and aged between 13 and 20 (or under 25 if you have a disability), email info@platformproject.co.uk or visit www.platformproject.co.uk.

The Platform Project is also looking for volunteers, particularly those with media experience.

Plea for landlords to help Platform find new home

Landlords have been asked to help find work space for youth organisation the Platform Project.

The not-for-profit is looking for an empty office or shop space that its youngsters could use as a workshop and office.

Set up in 2017 by Old Town business consultant Sadie Sharp, the Platform Project organises week-long BBC Apprentice-style challenges for teenagers.

The aim of the organisation is to build youngsters’ confidence and business acumen: “I’ve been self-employed since I was 24 and in my capacity as a HR consultant it became overwhelmingly clear that the world of work is increasingly moving towards self-employment.

“With even mainstream employers saying they need their staff to be entrepreneurial, I wanted to see if I could build something that made it more accessible for young people to build their confidence and skills to work for themselves earlier on in life."

To date, the project has run its youth challenges out of a teaching room at Green Labyrinth Training on Milton Road. But it's now looking to find more space to run its year-long youth magazine project, which has been supported by a £5,000 Wiltshire Community Foundation grant. The youth organisation has also been backed by Nationwide’s start-up programme, with building society staff helping to write the Platform’s business plan and growth strategy.

Sadie said she was looking for somewhere with enough space for youngsters to set up a workshop-style area, as well as desks on which to work. She has already had conversations with some organisations locally, including Forward Swindon.

If you think you can help the Platform Project, get in touch with Sadie Sharp at info@platformproject.co.uk.