Mental Health Awareness Week : Let’s Connect!
09 May 2022
Mental Health Awareness Week is happening between 9 to 15 May 2022. The official theme is ‘loneliness’ and, across the week, we encourage you to build meaningful connections with your friends, family, colleagues and communities.
#141Challenge
06 May 2022
The Magdalene Group are launching the #141 Challenge. Over the month of May, and as part of National Walking Month, The Magdalene Group are walking 141 miles to raise awareness of the Violence Against Women and Girls (V.A.W.G.) agenda and by raising money to support our continued work in this field.
Bishop’s Visit (2)
03 May 2022
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich said: “It was inspiring to visit staff and trustees of The Magdalene Group and to hear about their practical and very pastoral support of women and girls who experience sexual violence in Norfolk. Some very sobering stories of women on the very margins of our society. But here, they find no judgement, just unconditional love. Like the Jesus described in Luke’s Gospel: the one who came for all, the least and the lost, to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, and salvation to the lost. In May they will walk 141 miles to shine a spotlight on the 141 women murdered by men in the UK in 2021. I hope this prophetic act will receive the attention it deserves.”
Bishop’s Visit
03 May 2022
"When the new Bishop of Norwich was appointed three years ago, he agreed to become a Patron of The Magdalene Group, following in the footsteps of Graham James. Due to various circumstances and not helped by Covid restrictions, we finally welcomed Graham Usher to King Street on 27th April. Suzi & I were joined by Caroline Elliott, trustee, Denise, Operations Manager, & Maria, CSE Practitioner for the young people's team and we spent over an hour in a lively and wide ranging discussion about the work undertaken by the Doorway and Rose teams. The Bishop was interested and supportive and thanked everybody for the support given to women and girls in Norfolk." Georgina Holloway, Chair of Trustees
Professional Boundaries training
27 April 2022
The whole team took part in a morning's training; "to discuss and explore the essential requirements of professional boundaries, to both improve the safety and service delivery to clients and to also enhance the quality of professional relationships." The session was led by Tracey Hicks (of Training & Assessment in Healthcare Ltd,) - a very motivational speaker & thoroughly knowledgeable on her subject - & offered plenty of opportunity for discussion & participation.
National Stalking Awareness Week
25 April 2022
National Stalking Awareness Week takes place 25th - 29th April, 2022. Every year, there is a new campaign to raise awareness around a different issue related to stalking. This year, the campaign is called Bridging The Gap, highlighting the vital role that stalking advocates play in bridging the gap between the victim and the criminal justice system. Sometimes it can be hard to navigate police investigations and court hearings on your own as a victim, hence why the role of advocates is so integral in ensuring the victims remain empowered by keeping their voice at the forefront of the case.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust Bystander Training
25 April 2022
I attended a very worthwhile one-hour webinar - "Stand Up Against Street Harassment" - delivered by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, in conjunction with L'Oreal Paris. Hosted by Caroline, the session was well-attended, with lots of eager participation, focussing on impacts & interventions, & a reminder that harassment is "never your fault." Useful for one's own personal safety too.
Presentation of Blue Plaque
21 April 2022
From left to right : Natalie Mattin, Women's Specialist Practitioner; Lucy Macleod, Trustee; Suzi Heybourne, CEO; Rev. Matthew Hutton; Lydia Davies, Women's Specialist Practitioner.
Presentation of Blue Plaque : “Live your best, and act your best, and think your best today.”
21 April 2022
Norwich-born Harriet Martineau’s words resonate on these plaques as clearly today as they did nearly 200 years ago: “Live your best, and act your best, and think your best today”. Over the past several months, blue plaques have been presented, on behalf of Lord-Lieutenant Pippa Dannatt, to communities throughout Norfolk towns and villages, to mark people coming together in mutual practical support and encouragement over the past two years of Covid. This initiative has now been broadened to embrace charities and voluntary bodies, which have gone above and beyond in reaching out to those in need. How delighted we were to be recommended for a plaque by Rev. Matthew Hutton, & how proud we are to have been presented with it by him today.
Volunteering with the Magdalene Group
19 April 2022
We are always looking for enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to join our team. To which end, we will be holding a presentation & recruitment evening from 5 p.m. on Wednesday 11th May. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please complete an application form, & e-mail vivienne@magdalenegroup.org to book your place on the session. Due to the nature of the volunteering role, it is a General Occupational Requirement that this position be filled by a female, (Equality Act 2010.)