4 and In4mers

What is 4?

4 stands for 4ward, 4self, 4others. It is peer education. In4mers who are trained peer educators run fun and in4mative sessions for people aged 7+, including groups of Leaders.

Sessions are run on very relevant issues in today’s society. Units can choose from the following, but we can also plan a session to meet with any individual requirements of a unit.:

• Aphasia
• Binge Drinking
• Bullying
• Bullying & Self-esteem
• Child Abuse
• Conservation
• Disability Awareness
• Eating Disorders
• Eating Disorders & Self-esteem
• Healthy Eating
• Healthy Relationships
• Homelessness
• Learning Disabilities
• Media
• Mental Health
• Poverty and World Development
• Pre maturity and Abortion
• Refugees
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Self-esteem
• Self Help
• Sexual Health
• Smoking
• Stress
• Communication & Presentation
• Decision Making
• Teamwork & Leadership
• Planning & Flexibility

Sexual health is for over 14’s only and parental permission needs to be obtained for under 18’s, assistance will be provided. Not all topics are suitable for the younger children, if you would like to know more about a topic before you choose it for your session, please contact the In4mers.

In the sessions we encourage participants to think for themselves and explore the meaning of the topic in a small group. They may do this through spider diagrams, dramatisations, or group discussions. Once they have formed an understanding of the topic further activities are carried out to help expand their knowledge, possibly through silly games, cutting and sticking activities, or drawing, to name a few. All activities are suited to the age group.

We do not tell them what to think, we allow them to think together and provide them with facts when needed.

The in4mers can come to your Unit to run a session for the whole meeting. It is completely free, and all we require you to do is be there to make sure the adult ratio is correct. Whether you join in or sit and catch up on paper work is completely up to you!

So, are is your group:

• Over 7 years old?
• Willing to be in4med about a relevant issue?
• Ready to experience a 4 session?

If YES, then book a session!

If you have any questions then please also contact the In4mers.

Becoming an In4mer

Are you between 14 and 25, and would like to run these sessions and become an in4mer yourself?

In4mers are Senior Section members (anyone in Girlguiding between 14 and 25, including Leaders) who run the sessions. You do not have to run them on your own, but can run them with a friend.

Sessions are organised around you, and when they suit you best. You also do not have to run a set number either. You could run one a year to people who you know, or once a week to people throughout the County. It really is up to you!

You learn so many skills including confidence, organisation, leadership facilitation and self-motivation, to name a few. It is a valuable role and will look good on any CV or UCAS form, as well as counting towards the Queen’s Guide Award, and the Look Wider programme.

To become an in4mer all you need to do it complete a basic training, which is one weekend. This will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need to run sessions. It is a very fun weekend too, and you will meet new friends and have a laugh together!

If you are considering becoming an In4mer, please contact the Girlguiding Surrey East 4 Co-ordinator!

Make a difference in your community, and achieve your ambitions with 4!

Some frequently asked questions answered for you!

When can we have a session?

• Anytime! In4mers can come to your Unit meetings any time of the year. They can run the whole meeting, or just half an hour or so. The longer they are there the more information participants are given. We could also come and visit you at Residential event; District meeting etc; it doesn’t just have to be a regular meeting!

How much do the sessions cost?

• Nothing! Sessions are completely free! 4 is funded mainly by Girlguiding UK, but also by Girlguiding Surrey East.

Schools educate the girls on such topics; why does Girlguiding UK need the In4mers?

• Although schools talk about some issues which the In4mers run sessions on, pupils are often sat and spoken to. This does give the girls some knowledge, but just the facts. In 4 sessions though, participants get a chance to explore the topic as a group, and share knowledge and views. Fun activities are also run to give participants a deeper understanding which really gets them thinking, and sticks with them.

Do participants just sit and listen to the In4mers?

• No! Getting participants to sit and listen is the last thing we do! They participate in fun and in4mative activities. As mentioned above, participants may do spider diagrams, dramatisations or group discussions, silly games, cutting and sticking activities, or drawing, to name a few, are included in the sessions.

How do participants benefit?

• Participants not only benefit from a deeper understanding of the topic, but they also learn teamwork skills, as many activities require group work. Respect for other people’s points of views is also learnt. Participants get an opportunity to express their views and feelings on very sensitive issues outside of the classroom environment.

Do participants enjoy it?

• Yes! In every session we have run we have seen the enjoyment from the participants. This is also reflected in the evaluation comments, such as ‘it was great’, and ‘we have had great fun’.

There are so many topics to choose from, which one is best?

• There are no limits on the number of sessions your Unit can have, so we can come back and run another topic at another time. Pick the topic which you think affects the participants the most first, then you can work through the list!

Do we as the Leaders have to join in?

• No. All we require is that Leaders are there to provide the correct adult ratio for the session. The In4mers will completely take over the meeting. So you could sit and catch up on paperwork if desired, or you could join in, it’s completely up to you!

I run a Rainbow unit, can we have a session?

• Unfortunately we cannot run sessions for Rainbows, as they are not considered our peers. Anyone older than 7 years old can benefit from a session though.

I work with another youth group; can I invite the in4mers to run a session for them?

• Yes! In4mers can run sessions for anyone in the Surrey East area aged 7 plus. This can be boys or girls, in or out of Girlguiding UK.
  

How do we organise a session?
Just complete the form below.

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Laura Ede - November 2011 informer informers

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