INCLUDEnyc’s Post

One of our initiatives to stay afloat in P/CVE efforts is running a community house that addresses the basic needs of the people. In this context, it provides them with a comfortable place to stay overnight and a decent meal. We also integrate local culture, such as gamelan music, to create a welcoming and familiar environment. We don’t need to label our work with terms like P/CVE. It’s about the essence, not the terminology. We don’t just apply superficial fixes. #community_engagement #social_enterprise

Is it just me?! “All the fun, no school run!” ??? Fostering is not just for the weekend, with a few pennies to get them an ice cream. Actual foster carers been contacting me in their droves since last night, furious, concerned and feeling devalued and patronised. Could it get much worse? I don't blame those making this film it is simply borne out of lack of knowledge and ignorance as to the critical role of the foster carer and what is, and what SHOULD be involved. This is respite care (without the pay and adequate education). Our children are vulnerable, high needs and traumatised, this is not what they need. Also the government have already invested millions on the back of the Care Review in The Fostering Network's Mockingbird scheme, a proper well researched model to deliver more respite in an appropriate and effective way. The narrative here is simply terrible and so horribly ill-informed and thought out, again because it's being pushed by those who's knowledge is not underpinned by experience. Phrases like 'got a spare room then you could be a great weekender' 'you'll get an allowance to cover exciting things like going for an ice cream' further demote and diminish the nuanced skilled and trauma informed role of the foster carer. Also what about the foster carers who are doing the school run, are helping facilitate contact, are doing the homework and all the important things? Trying to suggest these 'weekenders' will be the 'popular' ones with ice cream and no school is quite unbelievable. Then the carer interviewed in the John Lewis part said you have to work if you're a foster carer and JL giving him 5 extra paid days made it possible. This is terrible mis-information and damaging to the narrative of foster care. 64% of foster carers are full time, what's more having fostered for 15yrs I can tell you it's more likely (with 2 children) you will have 50+ or so meetings a year, not 5, that is not the norm. This post does not touch the sides, I can not begin to list the issues with this. We need full time dedicated trauma informed foster carers if we are ever to have a hope of reversing the dire outcomes our care leavers experience, we need to focus on the carers we have (they are the best recruiters) and we need systemic change across the system. And I can hear some saying 'oh but it's raising awareness' or 'we need to start somewhere' or 'any foster carers are good' or 'It'll encourage people to foster more' Well I will say in advance it won't do any of those things. Dr Mine Conkbayir Carolyn Moody MBE Phil Sharrock Louise Allen Katie Waldegrave, MBE Niki Kalisperas Department for Education

I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed with a fostering initiative (and God knows we need some ) and judging by the wider feedback I have seen, I’m not alone. If only fostering was just about fun and trying new things. When will these “week-end foster carers” be introduced to the reality of what cared-for children really need, in particular the need to be trauma-informed? What is the overall purpose of this initiative- if it’s about recruitment(ie to recruit people who will move from week-end to full-time) please share the research which backs this up. Or backs any of this up! Also did you consider how this undermines the brilliant work that the Mockingbird scheme is already fulfilling. providing far more comprehensive support from carers who are hugely experienced and trauma informed/trained? Perhaps Now Foster could instead have campaigned for more resources for Fostering Outreach Workers who already perform a role along the lines of this new scheme. Now Foster owe it to the wider fostering community to engage, discuss and debate why they feel this was ever a good idea. It’s completely baffled me I admit.

Take a page from Emelyn Stuart playbook. If you don't like something or think it should be different, change it. Don't wait for permission. Be the change you wish to see wherever. #changemakers

One thing about me...I'm going to take a selfie. I just think it captures the moment better than a regular group photo! And I'm a millennial, sue me! But this is one of my favorites ever, and what a moment it was. This picture was taken on Day 5 of week 1 of Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp last year with the band I managed, Organ Thief. At this point, these teenagers learned an instrument, co-created a band logo and name, wrote a whole song, memorized it (mostly), recorded this song in a few takes, screenprinted their logo onto tshirts, AND they went to 4 workshops and saw 4 local bands play in between all of this. In a week, they'd perform on stage at Walter Studios. But in a layer behind all of that, this was the first time as an organization that we had taken on planning two weeks of camp instead of one, and it was our first camp since COVID made us pivot and pivot and pivot. We had a new camp venue, a new showcase venue, new volunteers and board members, a new (first) paid position, new ways of doing things, and brand new challenges. We were just as exhausted, in awe, and immersed in the process as these teenagers were. Actually - maybe a lot more exhausted since they have their youth to fuel them and they don't have to pay rent... It is by sheer will that the organization even stayed afloat during COVID, frankly. As a working board and as a volunteer force, we couldn't let go of what we have collectively created since 2015. One year from now, we'll be a 10 year-old organization. This year, I'll have been (very) involved for 8 years. All of this is mind-blowing. A lot of my adult life I've spent with the fine folks in this community, which is ever in flux. No doubt it's shaped a lot of my adult Self. This year, we're a little more primed for the exhaustion that June will bring. We remember well what it takes to get through two weeks of Rock Camp. We have brand new instruments thanks to Roland Global / Boss Global. We're adding more board members, recruiting more volunteers, and trying to increase that camper number based on volunteers. So all that to say...please tell your network, if they love music and/or art and/or kids and/or helping people live life authentically, they belong at Girls Rock! Phoenix Rock Camp this summer. Head to https://lnkd.in/gJXFaNiq for more information, and hit that "Get Involved" button to GET INVOLVED!!!! 🤘

JUST IN!! Another location is added for sharing stories, practice public presentation, comedy, and bridging community engagement at #100-301 Sixth Street,New Westminster for the STORYLINK on September 7th at 6-7:30pm. Light refreshment will be serve. This is a monthly community engagement. SPEAKER'S STAGE: 50 Minutes Allocate specific time slots for speakers to share their stories: 5x 2 Minutes: Inspirational story showcasing the power of sharing and caring. 3x 5 Minutes: Personal account of struggle, share tips, comedy or take the audience to a wild ride with your story. 2x 7 Minutes: Story highlighting a collaborative effort that resulted in positive impact and community growth. Personal account of struggle, share tips, comedy or take the audience to a wild ride with your story. https://lnkd.in/g2abgnk9

We’ve conjured up a list of nightmarish phrases guaranteed to give even the most seasoned community manager a fright! 👻🕸️ Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments! #SpookySeason #CommunityManagers #CommunityBuilding #Halloween

Just like community engagement, a keynote presentation shouldn't be a dreary tick-box exercise. It should be fun. It should be exciting. A spectacular experience filled with learning and laughter. My keynote cabaret, The Highway 12 Upgrade uses satire to pick away at things that aren't working in our industry, with a touch of glamour and humour. I wanted to use jaw dropping musical numbers and melodramatic monologues to dissect the successes and failures of a tumultuous community engagement project. Despite being a ridiculous drag cabaret, I wanted this show to feel real. I wanted it be built on emotion and honesty. You know, case studies don't make me feel anything. They ain't funny, they have no drama, they lack heart. When I look honestly at successful community engagement projects, they're not runny away from heartfelt emotion, drama and feelings. Case studies can be boring, they're as bland as unsalted butter, and let me assure you darling, the Highway 12 Upgrade stars one salty mama! Wednesday 21 February - 7 pm Darlinghurst Theatre Company Book Your Tickets in the Comments below #communityengagement #IAP2 #educationalengagementextravaganza

JUST IN!! Another location is added for sharing stories, practice public presentation, comedy, and bridging community engagement at #100-301 Sixth Street,New Westminster for the STORYLINK on September 7th at 6-7:30pm. Light refreshment will be serve. This is a monthly community engagement. SPEAKER'S STAGE: 50 Minutes Allocate specific time slots for speakers to share their stories: 5x 2 Minutes: Inspirational story showcasing the power of sharing and caring. 3x 5 Minutes: Personal account of struggle, share tips, comedy or take the audience to a wild ride with your story. 2x 7 Minutes: Story highlighting a collaborative effort that resulted in positive impact and community growth. Personal account of struggle, share tips, comedy or take the audience to a wild ride with your story. https://lnkd.in/g2abgnk9

Looking for a way to celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth with your family? We've gathered a list of our favorite movies and books from Hispanic/Latinx creators to share with you! Let us know your favorites in the comments!