Launch of Nth Spelthorne Local Family Partnership

A full Council Chamber at the Spelthorne Borough Council Offices in Knowle Green this morning for the successful launch of this critically important initiative. Following a small scale trial in Sunbury, SBC have decided to roll the project out in both the South and, today, the North of the Borough. Led by Janette Breese (centre – Manager of Stanwell Children’s Centre) and Sue Burgess (my right, Manager of Clarendon Children’s Centre), supported by Alexis Hynds (my left, SBC) and Chair for the day, Cllr Richard Walsh (left), the launch allowed the 50 attendees from all areas of expertise, professionalism and sections of  the community to share thoughts and identify areas of specialism. Mayor, Jean Pilkington (centre), was keen to express her full support for this project, and all present agreed that with so much enthusiasm and professional talent amongst the participants in the room, the partnership is certainly off to a great start!

 

 

Forward Trust- First Social Impact Report; Essential Reading!

 

Forward Trust celebrated their first birthday as ‘Forward’ (following the merger of RAPt and Blue Sky) at an event in HMP Downview, where the prisoner’s charity began in 1992. Talking with Mike Trace, CEO; David Bernstein, Chair of Trustees; Revd John Wates, Trustee; and Frank Quinn, the first ever graduate of the RAPt 12 Steps Programme of drug and alcohol recovery (and a very powerful speaker indeed), I was left in no doubt that this charity is achieving real results by supporting individuals to make their own decisions to change. They have the added bonus of this set of researched results to prove it! But what about these few selected statistics regarding the users of Forward Trust services, taken from many in the report;

On average, each person has 22 previous convictions

1 in 10 are women offenders who often have complex needs and have experienced trauma

Over half left school before 16

63% are parents, and of those 84% don’t live with their children

1 in 3 have mental problems

Over 50% of prisoners have a history of drug or alcohol problems

50% REPORT THAT THEY WILL BE HOMELESS ON RELEASE

75% OF PRISONERS ARE RELEASED WITHOUT A JOB TO GO TO

 

PLEASE HELP IN WHATEVER WAYS YOU CAN

 

 

 

'Volunteering' Strikes a Chord With New Citizens!

Another very enjoyable Citizenship Ceremony, with the typically British subject of volunteering in the local community the centre of discussions amongst the twenty five new citizens following the formalities. The Ceremony was led by Tanya, Deputy Superintendent Registrar;

 

 

Great Help For Families, Schools and Organisations – Family Information Service Directory

My thanks to Rob Morello, FIS Manager at SCC, for demonstrating this extraordinarily helpful on-line Directory. This fits well with supporting young people who are in danger of being excluded from school because of disruptive behaviour, or who face other difficulties. Whether a parent or a teacher, just go to the SCC website, then to FIS and you reach this simple page;

 Press ‘Directory’ and then add in your own keyword (eg Special Needs Support) and location (home, school, district etc), to receive a detailed list of all options available. I am very grateful to Joe Crome, Community Foundation for Surrey, who is working with Rob and his dedicated team to ensure that all relevant charities and organisations are featured in the directory. Rob and his team of advisors sweep the information on a rolling programme throughout the year to ensure that it is up to date and accurate, although active review by the organisations themselves is also encouraged, particularly as they add new services or develop increased capacity. As Rob emphasises, the more this facility is used, the better it will become!

 

 

Tandridge District Council Civic Service for Mayor David Cooley

The beautiful All Saints’ Church in Warlingham was the scene this afternoon for the celebration of David and Pam’s year in office. Throughout it’s near 800 year history, the church will rarely have seen a more enthusiastic crowd of guests, with the many fellow Mayors, Deputy Mayors, friends and the local community all relishing every moment of Revd Michelle Edmonds’s (left) enjoyable service. The weather was perfectly behaved, as can be seen by the photo showing the civic dignitaries, led by Deputy Lieutenant, Col Tony Guthrie (left), congratulating David and Pam, centre stage!

 

 

Big School Curry – Supporting ABF, The Army's National Charity

An excellent curry was had by all at the Royal Alexandra & Albert School, with resulting funds all raised on behalf of the ABF, to support their great work in helping soldiers, veterans and their immediate families. Congratulations to Canon Peter Bruinvels (Civilian and Military Liaison Advisor for Surrey and Kent CCs, on right) for all of his considerable hard work in organising the event, and to Vice-Lieutenant Bill Biddell (left) for hosting proceedings. Brig Ingrid Rolland was guest of honour – Ingrid has been a physics teacher at the school for several years, and has substantial experience of the crucial role it plays in the lives of many military families.

 Another notable success for Peter in his unending quest to support the military across Surrey!

 

Surrey Federation of WIs 100 Not Out!

 A real pleasure to join the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More-Molyneux and Sarah, for this uplifting celebration at Guildford Cathedral, courtesy of Chairman Jane Randell, who delivered a magnificent address encouraging everyone in the Surrey Federation to embrace change and look to the next 100 years. Jane certainly convinced me(!) and the other speakers, Vice Chairman Chris Butterfield and Kate Nash from Chaldon WI, were equally powerful. Needless to say, the scones (yes – mine were indeed gluten free!) were quite superb.

 

Cobham Heritage Day Underway!

Elizabeth Kennedy (centre), Chair of Cobham Heritage Day and past High Sheriff of Surrey, kindly invited this year’s High Sheriff to open this wonderful annual event. The Mayor of Elmbridge, Shweta Kapadia (my right), also provided great support, and joined me in thanking all of the volunteer members of the Cobham community (we see two manning the Heritage stand below, but the total number is over 100!) who have ensured that this terrific example of community spirit, local fundraising and family entertainment goes from strength to strength every year.

 The many stalls, exhibits and displays were testament to the enormous amount of hard work and effort that goes into the smooth organisation of such an event, and local partners were particularly appreciated. The vintage cars (and an early aeroplane even! – from Brooklands Museum) were a real crowd pleaser. 

 

Spelthorne Mayor's Murder Mystery Solved!

All guests enjoyed a hilariously entertaining evening at Mayor Jean Pinkerton’s charity evening in Stanwell. Jean (below) was supported as always by Linda and the many members of Jean’s family who so expertly took many of the key roles, alongside other Borough friends.

 In case you wanted to know, it was the Wife who did it, and the only person on our table who guessed correctly was Shweta Kapadia, Mayor of Elmbridge! Many thanks for a memorable evening Jean!

 

Godalming Museum Records Canadians at Witley Camp During WW1

As part of the commemoration of the integral role the Canadians had alongside the British and the Allies during the First World War, Godalming Museum, working with Natural England, have assembled an astonishing and memorable display of artefacts from Witley Camp (often from sifting through old rubbish tips!)

 Alison Patterson, Curator, is holding one of the fascinating pieces – in case you are wondering, it’s the remains of an ice hockey puck! Don’t miss the chance to see the rest of the exhibits at the museum.