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Further to comments at the last meet about getting kids involved in
geeky stuff. I have some more information regarding work's project:<br>
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Dear All,
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I would like to start by sending a huge thank you to everyone for
your support and sharing both your knowledge and contacts to make
EPIK a reality in Kent, without you the project would not be where
it is today, as early adopters of the concept and project, I
feel privileged to have had so much positive
and constructive input by all!
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<div><b>So what are the plans for 2013?</b></div>
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<div>We are:-</div>
<div>*Launching version 2 of 5 on the 5th of November for the
EPIK2013 Competition with the second £1000 prize fund and to
better tie in with schools and other educational institutions.</div>
<div>*Working in partnership with GEEK2013 Game expo East Kent to
deliver 8 EPIK coding hubs for 72 young people aged 8 - 25 to
"Code the world around you" 3 day workshop with 40 industry IT
mentors volunteering to help our next generation to progress
into this space.</div>
<div>*Working with the Kent Scouts to get their young people
involved to do their IT badges through participation and
teamwork.</div>
<div>*Working with JCP (Job Centre Plus) Thanet and Dover to
engage their NEET (Not in education, employment or training aged
16 - 24 ) who are passionate about gaming and all things
digital.</div>
<div>*Working with East Kent College to bring the EPIK competition
and mentoring work experience opportunities to their Geeky
students through our events.</div>
<div>*May EPIK Gala event for 100 IT industry guests to celebrate
Geeky youth talent in Kent.</div>
<div>*Organising 3 venues for YRS (Young rewired state) in Thanet,
Canterbury and Dover for a week long "Festival of Code" for kids
aged 8 -18 in August 2013</div>
<div>*Bringing a large group of Geeky Kent youngsters to the
Mozilla (Creators of the Firefox internet browser) festival in
London November 2013</div>
<div>*More in the pipeline see <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.facebook.com/epikprojectuk" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/epikprojectuk</a></div>
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<div><b>How can you help?</b></div>
<div>*Do you have contacts in schools and especially head of
schools? Schools so far have been very resistant to taking part.</div>
<div>*Do you have any suggestions on how we can reach parent
directly to let them know events like this is available for
their Geeky children?</div>
<div>*Thanet and now Dover are participating, we need involvement
from Canterbury, I need contacts who won't just play "lip
service" to bringing this to the Geeky youngsters of the
Canterbury area.</div>
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*We plan to expand into Maidstone, any contacts welcome.</div>
<div>*Do you want to take an active role or know someone that
would, the more people taking part, the more youngsters can also
take part.</div>
<div>*Share what we are doing with just about anyone that will
listen!</div>
<div>*Come to GEEK2013 games expo EPIK hubs "Show and Tell" and to
the Gala in May to see what our kids can do when they are
mentored by the IT industry in Kent and bring a head of school
with you :)</div>
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<div><b>Who are our supporters?</b></div>
<div>Open University</div>
<div>Marine Studios CIC (GEEK game expo East Kent)</div>
<div>Job Centre Plus</div>
<div>Thanet Council</div>
<div>KCC </div>
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Who are our sponsors? </b></div>
<div>P&O Ferries</div>
<div>BCS (British computer society) </div>
<div>Profile IT Academy</div>
<div>Canterbury innovation centre</div>
<div>ionCube Ltd</div>
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<div><b>Would you like to sponsor or support EPIK?</b></div>
<div>Any questions please do ask and view my linkedIn profile <a
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href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dorine-flies/42/87/7a9"
target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dorine-flies/42/87/7a9</a></div>
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<div>Again thank you for being early adopters of what we are
aiming to do for our Geeky young people in Kent!</div>
<div>Dorine Flies</div>
<div>HR Director </div>
<div>ionCube Ltd</div>
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