Diana Powell’s inspiring journey with UK Unplugged

Posted on: 31 May 2024 in 2024

Dr Diana Powell, an honorary fellow at the School of English, has a remarkable journey marked by a passion for education and community engagement.

Her academic background is as diverse as it is impressive, starting with an English Education degree in the USA, where she qualified as a middle and high school teacher. Diana’s teaching career began at an American school in Bangkok, but her academic pursuit brought her to Liverpool for an MA in Victorian Literature, eventually leading to a PhD.

Diana’s teaching tenure includes several undergraduate and continuing education courses. She later transitioned to a role as a Curriculum Manager for Academic Skills at Liverpool International College, achieving the status of Senior Fellow of the HEA. Throughout her career, Diana has been a guiding light for many students, with UK Unplugged having hosted 40 School of the Arts / Politics, Philosophy and Economics interns, five Liverpool John Moores University interns, and numerous volunteers from various disciplines, including Physics, Psychology, the Classics, and Zoology.

In the following article, Diana shares her inspiring journey and the story behind UK Unplugged, an initiative born from personal challenges and a profound understanding of educational needs.

In an age where screens dominate our daily lives, UK Unplugged emerged with a mission to address the increasing concerns of parents about their family's screen time. The initiative promotes a balanced approach that nurtures young people's skills and aspirations, ensuring they are well-equipped for the future.

UK Unplugged was born out of personal adversity and a deep understanding of the educational landscape. Back in 2018, I found myself at a low point, grappling with depression. As I began to recover, volunteering within my community offered a sense of purpose and connection. Parents shared their struggles with managing their children's screen time, and with my background in digital literacy and education, their stories resonated deeply.

Having served as the head of digital literacy at a college, I was aware of UK and US guidelines for technology use, and the difficulty of achieving balance. My research and training highlighted the importance of nurturing essential skills for the future, such as collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. This realisation was the seed from which UK Unplugged grew.

A pivotal moment for UK Unplugged came during the COVID-19 lockdown. With local volunteers busy with their own families and regular placements shut down, we stepped in to provide University of Liverpool students with meaningful ways to connect with the community. We launched an initiative called the Fairy Troll Post, writing letters to children from the perspective of magical creatures and delivering daily activity challenges and monthly packets of materials. The community response was overwhelmingly positive, and a few teens and university students even joined me in delivering these parcels around the Wirral by bike.

Student volunteers and interns from various disciplines, including Marketing, School of the Arts, Computer Science and Engineering, stepped in and created games, activities, recipes, and how-to videos from their homes in Poland, Cyprus, and Grand Cayman for families in Merseyside. This created a truly magical experience for everyone involved.

_{L: the Space Box created with students from the U of L LASER Society; R: The Earth Friendly Architecture Box}

As parents and children resumed their routines and the demand for daily check-ins decreased, we transitioned from the Fairy Troll Post to developing themed boxes. This shift allowed more time for development and ensured our work remained local and sustainable. Working with students and local makers has been an incredible journey focused on sustainability and originality. Each box takes 3-9 months to create and is a collaborative effort, bringing together diverse skills and experiences to create something unique and valuable for the community.

The ideas for our boxes often come from kids, teens, parents in our community, and experts who approach us with suggestions. This collaborative process has led to a wide range of topics that I would never have thought of on my own. For the students involved, the experience is transformative. They move from concept to design to sales, gaining invaluable skills and enhancing their CVs. Attending launch events and using the boxes with the community allows them to meet the community face-to-face, further enriching their experience.

At the heart of UK Unplugged are our meticulously crafted boxes, each brimming with 10 hours of sustainable, screen-free fun. These boxes are more than just a collection of activities; they're a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity. From cooking to crafting, physical activities to games, every element is thoughtfully designed to engage families in meaningful offline experiences. Based on wellbeing guidelines, we’ve found them to be highly effective with SEND families and young people on the CAMHS waiting list.

What sets our boxes apart is the diverse expertise that goes into their creation. Volunteers from around the globe, including scientists, engineers, artists, and local makers, come together to infuse each box with their passion and knowledge. This collaborative spirit not only ensures quality but also fosters a sense of community across borders and generations.

Our journey with UK Unplugged has been marked by a deep commitment to community engagement. We support the local CAMHS waiting list with sponsored boxes and give away boxes to low-income and SEND families. University students have placements with us, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the table.

Working with students isn't just about creating boxes; it's about providing them with invaluable real-world experience and skills. From concept design to sales, our volunteers gain hands-on experience that transcends the classroom, preparing them for whatever life throws their way. As they witness the impact of their contributions firsthand, they become champions of our mission, spreading the message of responsible tech usage and holistic development.

UK Unplugged continues to thrive thanks to the passion and dedication of our team, volunteers, and the University of Liverpool students. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community, fostering digital balance, and empowering the next generation with the skills they need for a successful future.

You can find more information about UK Unplugged on their website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook and X. Grab your own box for your family to explore, or collaborate with them! Join in their mission to bridge communities and foster a balanced digital future.

We’d like to thank Diana for her contributions to the community and for the time she has given sharing her story. With National Volunteers’ Week just around the corner, we recognise how inspirational stories like Diana’s are having a far reaching impact on our communities. Join in the National Volunteers’ Week conversation from 3 – 7 June.