Happy International Women’s Day Everyone!! And I mean everyone.
This is the ‘equals sign’ that women are doing across the world to represent everything you 
would expect and hope from whatever form of wondrous feminism you believe in, be you man, woman or child.
We have been quiet these past weeks @youbeforetwo mainly because I woman the social media account and have been stunned into silence during my teenage mental health research, by the constantly reoccurring fact that social media is strongly implicated in most teenage mental illness complaints, including deliberate self harm and suicide. I think we all know this deep down, but the evidence is becoming overwhelming. Children do not NEED social media. Nor do they NEED to get used to it in order that they adapt to the ‘real world’ in adulthood . A complete adult propelled myth to make us all feel better about ourselves. We all know that children NEED friendship based on genuine relationships, not just insta likes. They need sleep, laughter, sport, mistakes, bucket loads of food and an unshockable adult with big flappy listening ears. If you don’t wish/choose to listen to me please look or listen to Simon Sinek who speaks of social media being the ‘alcohol to the alcoholic.’ Irrefutable, undeniable and increasingly compelling bodies of evidence. We must not negotiate over these devices. We must be the adult and remove them as needed to protect and provide relief to our precious brilliant children’s brains. Too precious. Too important.
PLEASE SIGN MY PETITION TO BAN ALL MOBILE PHONES IN THE SCHOOL DAY
Michelle is an experienced operational and strategic senior manager with 10 years experience in the NHS. She is currently studying an MBA in Strategic Management and recently accomplished the Board Directors Programme. Michelle has an interest in the governance and development of services.
Kelly is a registered nurse and has had a varied career that has crossed both education and health and usually involved supporting young people. She joined You Before Two in its infancy, initially to support with delivering Workshop around Sexual Health and Contraception as that was her ‘day’ job at the time. She has more recently moved into a Safeguarding Children’s role in nursing and so has become the Safeguarding Lead at the charity. Its great to see how You Before Two has grown in the last 3 years and it’s a pleasure to be part of it.
Andrea is from Brazil. She emigrated to England around 15 years ago and she loves it. She has always worked with people in her life, and it is something that really fills her soul. During her early years in Brazil, she used to work as a volunteer in her church providing free soup for people in need and also visiting hospitals trying to cheer up those in need of a chat or a cuddle. She has always believed that we should help each other and now more than ever. We are living in a very busy world where sometimes even when you are surrounded by many people you are still feeling lonely. Therefore she believes that if she could help the next generation to go through life without all the worries and concerns that she had when she was that age, is just an amazing opportunity.
Fiona has over 20 years experience as a Solicitor. She is a Senior Partner for a firm in Rotherham. Fiona has an avid interest in education and supporting young people in an increasingly challenging world. She has a wealth of experience of being on charity boards and is You Before Two’s legal and policy expert. Fiona has been with You Before Two since its inception and is a dedicated and dynamic member of the team.
The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.