“Text Talk” was developed by Base25 in conjunction with youth market intelligence specialist mobileYouth to encourage maximum uptake of Base25’s free services among vulnerable young people. Text messaging was selected as the means of communication after research highlighted that there are close to 50,000 young people in Wolverhampton under the age of 25 who have a mobile phone. A figure likely to increase to almost 60,000 by the end of this year.
PrimetexT supports the service with its 2-way messaging infrastructure ensuring that any young person texting the service for help will receive a prompt answer from a trained advisor – via text message. The “Text Talk” service is available Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm using a dedicated number provided on the Orange network.
PrimetexT’s infrastructure enables the text message to be delivered to a system “inbox” on a PC at Base25’s drop in centre. The system uses a web interface with the look and feel of a traditional email client allowing Base25’s counsellors to compose a reply and, quickly and simply, send it as a text message.
Base25 spokesman Rob Willoughby said, ‘As the first of its kind in the country “Text Talk” is an exciting development for young people and we want to encourage them to make contact to get help, advice and support. There is a wide range of free services available from Base 25 and texting is a great way of giving young people a simple method of making contact.’
‘We’re delighted to be a part of ”Text Talk”’ said Phil Goodacre, CEO of PrimetexT. ‘It’s such a positive example of technology being used to improve young people’s lives – Base25 is showing a lead that others will surely follow.’
Base 25 services include counselling, contraception advice, under 18s substance service, careers information, young dads project, housing advice, girls’ group, young carers’ group, x2y gay, lesbian and bi-sexual group, activities for young people and a drop in centre in Wolverhampton and freephone help line.
Contact Janet Meredith on 01902 572040
mobileYouth is the worlds leading provider of news, statistical research,
opinion and analysis on the youth market and its usage of mobile services.
It provides companies with the information they need to identify how their
mobile product or service relates to the youth market, the benefits to
the consumer and how to penetrate the market.
Contact Josh Dhaliwal on 0207 470 8898 or joshd@mobileYouth.org