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Informed Choices: Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Annual Conference - 3 July 2006

REU's fourth annual conference of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities programme provided a unique opportunity to access information, hear about new developments and exchange ideas about best practice in parenting. The conference also focused on how we support all parents better, particularly those from black and minority ethnic communities.

300 Delegates attended the event.

The day consisted of panel sessions exploring:

• relationships, sex and sexuality with children and young people
• how to manage family breakdown, and
• the promotion of healthy lifestyles to our children.

Speakers included:

• John Amaechi, NBA Basketball player, sports personality and youth motivator
• Susie Hayman, writer and broadcaster from the BBC series 'Stepfamilies'
• Trefor Lloyd, Working with Men
• Renuka Jeyarajah-Dent, Chief Executive of NCH-The Bridge Childcare Development Service
• Fiona Hamilton-Fairley, Chief Executive, the Kids Cookery School
• Shabina Sadiq, Speakeasy Project, Family Planning Association

The special guest was Gina Yashere who closed the conference. Gina is a comedian and star of the Lenny Henry Show and has taken the comedy world by storm since her debut.

REU's patron, Lord Herman Ouseley oversaw the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Annual Award Ceremony, and presented awards to facilitators and parents for their achievements.

Award winners

Facilitators

Brent YOS: Michelle Augustin, Judy Harrison, Andre Howell, Mauline Vernon
Nominated because of their hard work and commitment as a team to reach parents traditionally considered 'hard to reach'. Involved in active outreach to develop relationships, committed a great deal of time to preparation, supported parents to attend and feel valued, spent time signposting to other support. Delivered out of their working hours with no reduction in their work allocation. Have had a big impact on the thinking of the team and strategic shift in thinking about parenting across the borough.

Nuray Cakmak and Leyla Cavcav, Minik Kardes
Have been delivering outstanding programmes in Islington to the Turkish community in Turkish. These programmes have been extremely well attended and well received. This group were instrumental in translating the parent materials into Turkish.

Beverley West, previously of Bradford FSU
Beverley had been delivering SFSC programme in Bradford with another outstanding facilitator Kath Holmes since 2002. Bev has been nominated because of the impact that she has on parents and the way in which she delivers the programme to make a difference to their lives.

Sara Blakemore, Coram Family Parents Centre
Nominated because of her long standing commitment and delivery of the programme, as well as her fantastic facilitation skills. She is known as a reflective and empathetic facilitator who has supported and empowered parents to achieve.

Shirin Ullah (Coram Strengthening Families Project) and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari (Tower Hamlets SLS)
Shirin and Dr Bari have both been long time deliverers of SFSC. They don't usually deliver programmes together but their last programme represented inter-agency work at it s best. This programme was mainly delivered in Bengali, but English was used too. They were commended for the way in which the programme was organised and the use of faith based information to support the values and content of the programme.

Louise Baxter and Trish Baxter, open Doors Language School, Plymouth
These facilitators were commended for their work supporting refugee and asylum seeker parents isolated in Plymouth. Parents in their programmes invariable speak a diverse range of languages and have a range of support needs which they endeavour to meet. They support parents to go on meeting and with each other after programmes have come to an end.

Suuad Genem George, Devon Race Equality Council
Suuad is fairly new to facilitating, having delivered two programme to mothers in Exeter. Her groups of women are very diverse, and she facilitates in both English and Arabic. Her groups are going to continue to meet as "United Women".

Parents

Winifred Campbell
Attended a programme in Manchester. Always took part in the activities that were set. Very supportive to all the other parents, one parent said of her " she ahs helped me in rough times and has always given sound advice and never given up on me when I've given up on myself."

Comfort Obikoya
Commitment to programme demonstrated by her fantastic attendance and punctuality record. Her enthusiasm and ability to share her own experiences made her an asset to the group.

Alan Briggs
Shared so openly with others, extremely honest with his contribution. Embraced aspects of the curriculum and took real steps to implement the programme with his eldest son.

Shirley Anderson
Since completing a programme, has become a real advocate of the programme and parents rights to access support like this universally. She has made presentations to magistrates and youth justice professionals to tell them about the benefits of SFSC and has now trained as a facilitator.

Nazmin Begum
Nazmin was not open to a parenting programme initially, but with support became a vocal and active member of her group. She supported other members to explore issues around diversity and has really engaged with special time and play with her son.

Amina Atcha
Amina attended all sessions of her course and was the only parent to complete all the homework set and was happy to share with others how she was implementing new techniques at home. She has spoken publicly about the benefits of the programme and is keen to support other parents.