Calling all gamers! North Ayrshire Youth Services are back on the road and the team are visiting community venues across the area, every weekend throughout May.
Having visited Ardrossan Civic Centre last weekend and heading to Bridgend Community Centre in Kilbirnie this Saturday, their drop-in Cyber Roadshow has a drop-in format with free juice and snacks provided.
With Guitar Hero, Fifa, VR headsets, retro gaming and more, the schedule is as follows:
Saturday 3 May: Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie (drop-in) 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Saturday 10 May: West Kilbride Community Centre (drop-in) 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Saturday 17 May: Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn (drop-in) 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Saturday 24 May: Woodwynd Community Centre, Kilwinning (drop-in) 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Saturday 7 June: FINALE at Ardeer Community Centre 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
The events are for young people aged between 12 and 16 who just want to have some gaming fun, however competitive pro-gamers are welcome to be part of the action too!
Following the successful delivery of the Cyber Explorers youth work programme within the curriculum (delivered for the first time in Scotland by North Ayrshire Youth Services), the team are now developing sessions like the Cyber Roadshow to shine a spotlight on cyber safety to help build safer online presence and support young people to be responsible for their own online activities.
Youth Services are also keen to ensure that the young people’s social skills are maximised through the events as they can come together with a common interest of gaming.
Gaming competitions will be happening throughout the sessions too and a finale will be held in June at Ardeer Community Centre with a host of prizes to be won! Stay tuned to News In Brief for more info on this.
Part of a wider Cyber First digital learning project, it is being delivered by Youth Worker Jacqueline Fadian from the Community Learning and Development team alongside Youth Work Modern Apprentices.
Jaq shares: “The digital world is moving faster than ever. More and more young people are using consoles, PCs and media due to social media and online content. As a result they are exposed to threats and data breaches so knowing how to stay safe online is critical.
“As well as offering FREE gaming fun, the aim is to raise awareness among young people about the importance of cyber security, in the form of fun safe gaming activities.
“Through the roadshow we will incorporate elements of the Cyber Explorers youth work programme and talk/chat informally about cyber digital careers by using an engaging roadshow, making the learnings relevant to their everyday lives.
“We want young people taking part to leave with a stronger understanding of how to keep themselves safe while engaging in the gaming roadshow.
“Ultimately, through the Cyber Explorers Roadshow, we aim to empower them to be safe, vigilant, and digitally responsible citizens.”