Fostering Solutions
30 October 2018
"Thank you Tess for inviting us to talk at one of your Compass Fostering Solutions open mornings. Always happy to talk about our service : the Rose Partnership and Missing Support." Becky Bentley, CSE Practitioner. If you would like to find out more about our missing service please contact Becky at: becky@magdalenegroup.org
Visit from Bishop Graham
25 October 2018
We were delighted to welcome The Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, to The Magdalene Group today. Trustees Georgina Holloway & Nick Miller, were joined by Suzi and some of the team, and took the opportunity to update him on recent developments, while, in turn, Bishop Graham - who has long since been a patron of our charity - remembered the good old days of the two Doreens, when we were based in the church opposite. It was a lovely lunch, and part of the Bishop's farewell tour before retirement. Thank you Bishop Graham for your unstinting love and support. We wish you well.
Sessions for professionals
23 October 2018
We hold monthly sessions for professionals from other agencies. Hosted by a member of the team, they usually last about an hour, & provide an opportunity to learn more about the work of The Magdalene Group, as well as sharing experiences & new developments. This morning's session was delivered by Jade, one of our CSE Practitioners. "Many thanks for including us in your session for professionals today. It was helpful to meet other practitioners and be able to share information about recent updates to our service and hear more about the services you offer" - quote from one of today's guests. We have places available on the December, January & February sessions; if you would like more information, or you would like to book yourself a place, please e-mail vivienne@magdalenegroup.org or telephone the office 01603 610256.
Jigsaw programme delivery
23 October 2018
Two of our CSE Practitioners, Sophie and Morwenna, attended Nexus Fostering Solutions today, where they delivered a morning session of internet safety, to a group of young people in foster placements. The inter-active session - part of our Jigsaw programme - focused on grooming, cyber-bullying and sexting, & was well-received by the group of 14 students, who all engaged & participated throughout. If you are interested in our education programmes, please call the office on 01603 610256 to discuss your requirements.
Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation 2018 Conference
17 October 2018
Morwenna, one of our CSE practitioners, is attending the Tackling CSE 2018 conference in central London today. This morning’s speakers all drew awareness to the essential need for a change in culture that recognises CSE as an issue deeply embedded among other threats such as grooming gangs, county lines, modern slavery, human trafficking and online grooming. Agencies and communities must work together in a collaborative and holistic approach whilst also providing consistency for the young person. Jon Brown, from the NSPCC, discussed their ‘Together for Childhood’ place-based initiative and Detective Superintendent Jason Hendy spoke of the institutional change in attitudes towards understanding CSE and the value of relationship building between police and young people affected by it. The gap around support and services for young people aged 16-18 has been highlighted several times and more work needs to be done around recognising that exploitation and trauma do not stop when the child turns 18. It appears that much of the development in this area will fall to voluntary organisations and it reinforces how essential our Transitional Service can be.
Christmas dinner in a box… with love
10 October 2018
Love Norwich Christmas Hamper Appeal meets a very real and current need for people in Norwich. Food poverty is a huge problem in our city and the hamper appeal aims to relieve some of this stress and help families in need over the Christmas period. Love Norwich provides hampers for some of our service-users; in turn we support Love Norwich with donations/contributions. Please contact us on support@magdalenegroup.org if you would like more information and/or would like to help provide Christmas dinner in a box... with love.
East of England STI Conference
10 October 2018
Becky is in Cambridge today, attending the East of England STI conference. The statistics are interesting. Chlamydia continues to be the biggest concern, with 48% of those tested, being diagnosed; syphilis being second and gonorrhea in third place with 10%. Numbers of those being diagnosed with STIs are falling however, and testing is rising - a good sign that our interventions are working.
Leeway National Domestic Abuse Conference 2018
03 October 2018
Suzi & Jonna & Morwenna attended the Leeway conference, held at Holiday Inn - Norwich Airport, today. Now in its 3rd year, this event brings together a range of health, social, education and voluntary sector professionals united in their working resolve to end domestic violence & abuse and help its survivors and their families, and included a packed schedule of speakers and presentations for a quality learning and networking opportunity for all concerned.
Pathways Norwich
01 October 2018
We welcomed Maria Pratt from Pathways Norwich to The Magdalene Group today. She gave an interesting & informative outline of the project, which we are pleased to be associated with. Pathways is an innovative service to support rough sleepers and people with complex needs in Norwich, delivered from hubs around the city. This is a partnership project between St Martins, Shelter, Future Projects, YMCA Norfolk, The Salvation Army, The Feed and City Reach. These seven local organisations have joined together to form this collaborative project which uses the combined strength of its members to offer a pioneering model of specialist support. Read more at : https://stmartinshousing.org.uk/local-charities-join-together-tackle-homelessness/
A fond farewell
01 October 2018
We bid a fond farewell to Bobbie today. Bobbie joined us a student, then came to work with the Rose team, & has spent the last few months at EnRoute. She has been such a joy to work with, & a great team member. We shall all miss her terribly, but wish her huge luck with her new job as a social worker.