Conference Press Release
Thursday 28 January 2010
COPE: Black Mental Health Foundation, supported by Novas Scarman have organised a Parents Conference for parents who are concerned about the negative impact that Gangs have on young people, families and the wider community. This timely event has been funded by The Parenting Fund.
Recreating the Village Parents Conference will be held on Saturday 30th January 2010, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at St George’s Community Hub (formerly St George’s Post 16 Centre), Gt. Hampton Row, Birmingham B19 3JG
The Conference theme is taken from the African proverb“It takes a village to raise a child” In organising this timely event we will hear from experts in the field who draw on the evidence base that highlights the important role that parents have to play in finding solutions to the escalating gang problem that continues to threaten the safety of our communities “The Village”.
The conference aims to:
- Facilitate the setting up of the first Parents Forum, specifically to address the impact of Urban Street Gangs.
- Influence and support local and national strategies, initiatives and policies
- Introduce a new leadership paradigm for parents/carers
- Empower parents to lead their children effectively
- Encourage better Parent/Agency partnership in finding solutions
- Raise awareness of the issues relevant to Urban Street Gangs
- Explore how we can recreate “The Village” by encouraging leadership, moral purpose, and personal responsibility in tackling Urban Street Gangs.
Parents will debate with keynote speakers who include Professor Gus John, author of “Taking A Stand”. Professor Gus John has a vast wealth of expertise working with gang members, parents, communities, organisations, Local and National Government on this agenda. He will be speaking about personal responsibility and effective parent leadership. Philip Robson is representing the Home Office Tackling Knives Programme (TKP) and has been asked to address parents about the TKP highlighting what their role can be in reducing the number of weapons that young people are carrying.
Andrew Muhammad is a historian and motivational speaker, who will close the conference with a presentation with a difference that is guaranteed to send parents away reflective and inspired to be part of the solution.
The work that COPE has been doing as part of our OASIS Parents Support Service has highlighted what an under-used resource parents are. It is time to recognise the important role that parents can play, if supported to do so. The evidence base proves that Prevention is key to any fit for purpose strategy to tackle the negative impact of gangs on communities. We believe that any effective preventative strategy must include parents as a key partner. This conference will consult with parents about how best to support them to take a personal and collective stand in reclaiming our young people from the streets.
Parents who want to attend the conference; or organisations that want to purchase stall space should call the admin team on 0121 551 7984 or email admin@contactfamilycentre.org.uk
Camille E. Ade-John
Director
