On Wednesday 6 June, the Clubhouse partnered with MTP Services to offer 10 Clubhouse members the opportunity to participate in a website design tutorial. This excursion was organised after two members attended a Scratch for Beginners class in April. This led to the Clubhouse Coordinator and MTP Services collaborating to design a second workshop specifically for Clubhouse members who were interested in building a website.

YWCA Canberra Clubhouse is dedicated to facilitating learning opportunities for young people in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), and providing members with the skills and knowledge needed for the workforce.

The evening began with brainstorming different reasons on why a business would benefit from having a website, and the different things that a website can be used for. We then looked at a couple of different websites and the various components and layout options that can be created. We looked at things like, the use of sliders, navigation headers with drop down subheadings and the different ways to categorise the pages. We also looked at the use of automated organising to display the most recent posts and the use of social media plug-ins. Finally, there was a discussion about the importance of balancing written content with images. The presenters shared with us the different types of clients they have, the requests they receive, and the need to create a unique script to meet the individual requests.

Members were then taken through a tutorial on how to use HTML and CSS code to create and organise content that is visually appealing. They went through things like, learning how to input an image, using hyperlinks, aligning content and changing the font colour and size.

After being introduced to the website building platform, Wix, members experimented with the different features available, including animations, transitions, pages, content, products, etc., and made a start in creating their own websites. Members feedback was very positive, with each participant having learnt something new and all wanting to stay for longer.  Some of this feedback includes:

• “The insight into people that actually work in the field was quite interesting. The notes on customer engagement were intriguing. It allowed me to create this site so it was quite a blast.”
• “I learnt a lot about using source code to make a website. Before this trip I didn’t know a thing about source code, but now I know the basics, and if I want to make a website what site to use. I am glad I came so I could learn the basics of code.”
• “It taught me a basic understanding of designing websites and understanding how to manipulate computer code, a subject which I am not very competent in. The presenters provided the information concisely and succinctly without being unintelligible, which was very helpful in understanding, for example, where certain inputs must be placed.”

MTP Services have offered to deliver another workshop for Clubhouse members to attend next term. They have also offered to help support the Clubhouse with developing our website, we are now in discussion about this new and exciting collaboration. As a program that relies on philanthropic and corporate partnerships to run, the YWCA Canberra Clubhouse is grateful for the support from companies like MTP Services.

The Clubhouse welcomes new partners and mentors to help provide our members with contacts, resources, knowledge and skills to prepare them for the future. If you are wanting to partner, or share your skills with our members by becoming a mentor, please feel free to get in contact with the Clubhouse team.

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