24 New Facilitators in the South West

This makes approximately 90 Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities facilitators in the South West. The Cornwall facilitators are being trained up as part of the Government’s Pathways Project and the Bristol facilitators are funded by the Government’s Parenting Fund.

The training was held at Hannah More Primary School in inner city Bristol where the children are from very diverse backgrounds (white/dual heritage/African/African Caribbean/Asian etc.). Hannah More was an abolitionist and, as 2007 is the year we recognise the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, it seemed an appropriate venue to train SFSC facilitators in light of the extent of discussions/debate and sharing in the programme regarding our ethnic and cultural roots.

I asked the Cornish contingent to nominate someone to let me know how they felt about the training, however they felt so strongly about it that they agreed and made a joint statement, as follows:

“We strongly believe that delivering SFSC throughout the country will make England a safer, stronger country for our communities now and for future generations. The training was the most inspiring experience we have had in our professional careers. It was delivered in a non-judgemental way and covered topics which are often taboo but need to be discussed to get to the root of the issues to help communities to move forward and to enable communities to take ownership and pride in the environment they are living in”.

All of the facilitators thoroughly enjoyed the training, and Judy certainly enjoyed the group and her first trip to the South West of England, especially the hills and Clifton Suspension Bridge as it’s completely flat in Georgia. I am particularly pleased to have more facilitators ready to strengthen families and communities across the region. Five full days of intense instruction to be a SFSC facilitator is heavy going, participants can be away from home, having their children looked after and giving up on work and personal commitments to train so I am very grateful for their being involved and wish them all the best for the future.