Mothers Against Violence will be hosting their Annual General Meeting on Friday 18^th May 2012 at the Claremont Resource Centre Hulme Manchester at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend. Please confirm your attendance by calling or emailing the MAV Office details below. It is important we know you are coming as we will need to ensure appropriate provision for those attending.  We are pleased to have a number of new people who have expressed interest in joining the MAV Executive Committee. We are also thankful to those who are standing down this year making room for others to use their skills to develop the service throughout the next year.

MAV have grown in knowledge and experience over the last year much of this growth has come through the challenges we have faced. We are still very confident the service will go from strength to strength regardless of the cuts to many provisions which support families. MAV are working at securing funding and hope to confirm projects that are being funded over the next year. We currently have some positive confirmation for funding which we will update you on during the coming months.

MAV have completed some fundraising events which have been supported by students from Manchester University, Asda Superstore Hulme and kind donations from our community and the wider public. The main collections took place on 23^rd & 24^th March 2012 in Hulme, Cheetham Hill and Manchester City Centre. We had over 30 volunteers that took part in the collections. MAV are truly grateful for all the support. The project was led by Carl Montlake who is the Business Development Lead for MAV. The collections brought in over £1600 in total. Some of the funding will help with the move of location which we are hoping to undertake sometime in May. Currently this has been held up by a contract agreement with Manchester city council. We do hope this will be resolved very soon.

MAV are keen to keep the outreach van and  we are still looking at possible funding opportunities to fund the work the outreach team do especially the Substance Misuse Service (SMS) who have felt the impact from the loss of the outreach van most of all. The SMS service has worked closely with Lifeshare sharing resources and skills. Lifeshare is a charitable organisation established to help meet the needs of the homeless and disadvantaged in Manchester and Salford. Their first point of contact is with people on the streets, offering practical assistance, support and information. From this point continued assistance is offered to enable people to secure suitable accommodation, to be supported to maintain their tenancies, and helped to access initiatives to carry their lives forward.

MAV and Lifeshareshare the belief that all people regardless of race, creed, sexuality, gender, age, level of ability or status are entitled to respect and dignity and should be afforded equal opportunities. Lifeshare is a non-religious organisation and has no political affiliations. The key objectives of the service are to identify street homelessness and offer assistance in obtaining emergency accommodation, signposting other relevant agencies and information for support. To alleviate aspects of poverty and hardship through redistribution of resources, assist people to access Primary Health Care and to promote health and harm reduction.

Julie Boyle and Darren Conner are represented MAV on the project which is dedicated to providing specific outreach services to the young men who sell sex to other men in Manchester’s city centre. This community – largely neglected by outreach services – pick up clients either on the streets or in certain bars in the city centre, and are often unaware of the health risks they are exposed to through this activity. This lifestyle, however, is often seen as the only option for those who have become homeless. MAV hope our working relationship with Lifeshare will go from strength to strength.

MAV are hopeful for the future. We want to continue doing the work we do supporting local schools, youth offending services, prisons, substance misuse services and providing counselling and mentoring. Please kindly make a donation. Just click on the Donate Now link. This will take you to our donation page. Thank You for all your support.

Annual General Meeting Contact: 0161 2268134

Email: office@mavuk.org     julie@mavuk.org

]]> http://mavuk.org/2012/04/21/mavs-annual-general-meeting-2012/feed/ 2 http://mavuk.org/2012/02/05/we-are-moving/ http://mavuk.org/2012/02/05/we-are-moving/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:55:33 +0000 ian http://mavuk.org/?p=1688 Continue reading →]]>

That’s right! We are moving. MAV our moving across the road to the Claremont Resource Centre, Rolls Crescent, Hulme, Manchester M15 5FS. MAV move in April 2012. We have had a wonderful 4 years at Old Birley Street and will miss the staff from Work for Change. MAV will still be close and accessible to all our local community. The service is making changes that will enhance the support we provide in the future. MAV like so many services are seeking to save money. MAV will move into one of Manchester City Council (MCC) vacant office spaces. The move will help MCC cover some of the cost for office buildings and will also save MAV money and allow us to spend more on the delivery of projects. Sadly MAV have also had to cut the cost of funding the Outreach Van. This has been very painful, the van has supported the delivery of the MAV Substance Misuse Service for 8 months. Many people with substance misuse issues have received much needed support and understanding from our service.

MAV are sure the Outreach Van will be replaced in the future. Change is inevitable and sometimes painful. We are hoping to secure funding in 2012, we are also raising funds. The Executive Committee and MAV volunteers are working to promote the work we do and develop projects that will continue to support our community. Gun crime has been reduced in our local community. MAV refuse to be complacent we believe prevention is better than cure, we will continue to work with young people and their families.

MAV are hopeful for the future. We want to continue doing the work we do supporting local schools, youth offending services, prisons, substance misuse services and providing counselling and mentoring. Please kindly make a donation. Just click onthe Donate Now link. This will take you to our donation page. Thank You for all your support.

MAV Supporting & Working in Collaboration with our Community

MAV are supporting Inspire Church Youth Group on Stockport Road, Levenshulme. MAV are hoping to secure funding for a youth outdoor team building weekend in the summer of 2012.

The Inspire Church Youth Group has already engaged over 20 young people in the last 3 months and has brought together young people from all backgrounds. There is a growing Romanian community in Levenshulme and the youth group includes many young people from this community. This has been a positive step forward and has allowed young people to develop more positive relationships with this often marginalized community group. Inspire Church Youth Group is currently running on Sunday Evenings from 6pm – 7.30pm. Please contact MAV’s ACCESS Project for more information. Contact details below.

MAV are also supporting a New Child Minding Service and Training Provider.

Mrs Janet Swanston set-up i2ie Child Minding service in September 2011. Janet has volunteered for MAV for over 5 years and has run childcare session at a number of MAV event as well as supporting children at the Million Mothers March in 2010 and 2011. Janet has a degree in Early Childhood Studies.

i2ie Child Minders currently has places available and aims to provide care education and support for the child and best practice information and training for parents and other childcare pratitioners. If you would like the best day care and support for your child i2ie Child Minders comes recommended by Mothers Against Violence.

If you would like more information on child care provision or child care training please contact Janet Swanston on her mobile number 07931633046 or Email: i2ie@hotmail.co.uk Alternatively contact the MAV Office or the ACCESS Project using the information below. Click on i2ie logo below for information.

i2ie childminding and Consultancy Ltd. Registered No. 7529273

MAV Office: 0161 226 8134

MAV Mobile: 07985490333

Email: office@mavuk.org

MAV ACCESS Project: Mobile No. 07984066771

Email: ian@mavuk.org

Mother Against Violence (MAV) have completed The Life Long Learning Project. The project was funded by Awards for All Big Lottery Fund.

The project allowed MAV to develop the IT department providing computer access for many in the community without IT skills. The project also gave many existing volunteers the ability to run and develop new projects. MAV requested funding for the costs of sessional workers, volunteer expenses, equipment including books, dvd’s, stationary, games and worksheets. Marketing materials was required for promotion via leaflets, flyers, posters and the website. We also need to purchase additional computers along with software. Beneficiaries explore topics via holistic methods: Role Play/ Interactive Games/ Internet/DVD’s/ Open Discussions/1 to 1′s/ Group Activities/Self Reflection/ Coaching/ Mentoring. The aim of workshops are to educate, raise awareness, engage and empower people, mainly young people to make positive change for themselves and their community. As a result of the training MAV’s current website is now updated and run by a volunteer who benefited from training from The Life Long Learning Project.  

MAV’s YouTube channel, Twitter and Facebook links have all now been added to the website this has all been made possible thanks to project. The Life Long Learning Project  lasted a year and member of the community were able to use MAV office space to develop projects which would enhance their skills and create employment opportunities. In the last year over 275 people from 8 year olds to 65 year olds have used MAV office space and computers to educate and enhance their personal skills. As a result of the project we have been able to support work completed by Father Against Violence It has also supported work completed by the MAV Substance Misuse Project which is now developing a service that encourages ex – addicts to use skills such as poetry, art and music as a key part of their rehabilitation process.

Without The Life Long Learning Project funding these services would have struggled. The project has also provided room for new volunteering opportunities.    

The projects main outcomes included:

• Over 300 Free computer and training development sessions  
• IT Training and development which includes website development.
• YouTube Channel and PayPal Accounts
• Website links to Facebook and Twitter accounts
• MAV’s New Look interactive website
• IT Educational programmes for 8-16 year olds from a growing inner city Somali Community.
• 6 new Computers and Laptops with computer stations
• 8 New Voluntary opportunities  

We would like to thank Awards for All Big Lottery Fund for all their support. We do hope they will support MAV again in the future.    

MAV are seeking to secure funding for the next year. We are hopeful for our future. At present we have not yet secured funding for 2012 and really need your support in raising funds. We want to continue doing the work we do supporting local schools, youth offending services, prisons,  substance misuse services and providing counselling and Mentoring. Please kindly make a donation.

 You can make a donation now by clinking on our ”Donate Now” link.

We would like to thank all the volunteers, staff and shoppers who supported us on Friday 25^th November at ASDA Supermarket Hulme at our Bag Packing Day.

We raised £1113      

Mothers Against Violence (MAV) are continue to raise funds for the work we do within the local communities supporting those who are affected by gun and knife crime, substance misuse and unemployment. MAV are seeking to raise £5000. There will be events held across Manchester over the winter months which will help towards raising much needed funds.

• Car Boot Sale – 3rd December at Claremont Resource Centre at 7am -1pm
• Bag Packing Asda Supermarket 
• Manchester City Centre Collection.
• A Sponsored Walk          

MAV are seeking to secure funding for the next year. We are hopeful for our future. At present we have not yet secured funding for 2012 and really need your support in raising funds. We want to continue doing the work we do supporting local schools, youth offending services, prisons,  substance misuse services  and providing counselling and Mentoring.

Our 3rd Poetry Night will be held on the 8^th December 2011. Please click on the attached flyer for details.  After the success of the last 2 Poetry Nights, we are pleased to announce there will be another night of poets. The venue will again be the Dry Bar, Oldham Street  Manchester. The last event had a number of Lyricists preforming their own work, making music out of the spoken word.

You can also make a donation now by clinking on our ”Donate Now” link.

Thank You!

 Volunteer Day!  

Mothers Against Violence (MAV) invite you to our Annual Volunteer day on the evening of 24th November 2011 at 7.30pm  at 53 Old Birley Street, Manchester M15 5RF.   

The evening is to help us show our appreciation to our many volunteers and to introduce new opportunities for volunteering. If you would like to attend please feel free to come along. You can also confirm by contacting the MAV Team by phone, email or our social networking  websites. At the event we will be making final plans for the MAV Donation day which will be held across Manchester on 8th December 2011.

You can also make a donation now by clinking on our ”Donate Now” link.  

Thank You!

We are happy to give more information on the events. Please get in touch by phone or email.     

Phone: 0161 2268134

office@mavuk.org

Mothers Against Violence Chairperson Ian Swanston attended the Through Unity Annual Conference Putting Victims First, held in London on the 19th October at the Abbey Centre, Westminster. The conference was delivered in association with Through Unity and Victim Support. Victim Support recently supported MAV’s “A Community Counselling & Emotional Support Service” (ACCESS) with funding for the project. The conference focused on those who have lost loved ones as a result of murder and aggression. Speakers included Ann Oakes-Odger MBE who lost her son in an unprovoked act of violence on the 12^th September 2005, when he was fatally stabbed in the neck. He had celebrated his 27^th Birthday only weeks earlier. Ms Oakes-Odger spoke of the journey she had taken after his death which brought her to a place in which she founded her charity KnifeCrimes.Org in 2006, supporting families bereaved by murder and manslaughter. KnifeCrimes.Org also has an education programme called “Westley’s Weapons Awareness” MAV Chairperson said; I felt extremely moved by Ann’s story. Ann spoke of a time two weeks before her son’s murder, when while shopping she saw flowers laid outside a flower shop, it was strange to her as the flowers were clearly not for sale. She felt compelled to go into the shop and ask why the followers were all laid outside in such away. As she asked the shop assistant about the flowers, a lady approached her from behind, she said; thanks for asking about the followers, there for my son, he died in his sleep after a night out, doctors  think it could have been drugs. Ann replied; I am sorry I can’t imagine what you must be going through. Ann said she was not to know that only two weeks later she would know the loss of a son.  http://www.knifecrimes.org/      

Another conference speaker was Mark One, real name Mark Walters. Mark is a Bafta Award winning director, and creative Director and CEO of Mark One Group, a motivational speaker and anti gun and knife campaigner. Mark introduced his new film “After Effects” which looked at the impact of receiving the news that your loved one has been murdered. MAV Chairperson said; The film brought me back to the day I received the news of my younger brother’s murder. I felt Mark really captured the impact of hearing the news extremely well through film. I do hope the film will be used throughout schools and youth offending services, helping young people better understand the impact of such crime on families like my own. The night my brother was shot the impact of bullet came through each member of my family and this pain was also felt by many of my brother’s friends.  http://www.markone.tv/ 

There were performances from the amazing singer song writer Camera Fearon better known as MizzCamara.  MizzCamara the proud winner of the Spirit of London Music Award in 2010 preformed one of her own songs. MizzCamara said: we should stand up as people because strength comes through unity.  http://www.myspace.com/mizzcamara

The Chickenshed Theatre Company preformed their powerful production, Crime of the Century. MAV Chairperson felt the performances from MizzCamara and Chickenshed were the highlight of the conference, he said: I love creativity; and MizzCamara and Chickenshed had stacks of it. MizzCamara song writing and voice was simply spellbinding. The combination of dance and acting from Chickenshed captured the thoughts and experiences of the younger generating. There was also a challenging message for all of us as adults. It was a pleasure to meet and take photographs with the performers. After the conference I got to tell them how much their performances inspired me.    http://www.chickenshed.org.uk/1018/shows/crime-of-the-century-at-the-scoop.html

Other Speakers included Dr Terry Ryall Chief Executive of “V” the National Young Volunteers Service set up in May 2006 and Baroness Newlove of Warrington.  Baroness Newlove was appointed by the Government as a champion for active, safe communities. Baroness Newlove lost her husband Garry Newlove in 2007. Gary was murdered by a teenage gang in the street in front of his young daughters.   MAV hope to send a reprehensive to this annual event next year.

Mother Against Violence (MAV) have completed the first year of support with A Community Counselling & Emotional Support Service (ACCESS).  ACCESS is a combination of services which provide Therapeutic and Cognitive behavioural support for those in the inner city of Manchester who have suffered as a result of social issues, which include gun crime, knife crime, anti-social behaviour and mental health issues. ACCESS also provides support for those who may find it hard to access public services due to finance, fear or stigma. ACCESS also provides group work, the service is currently completing the delivery of therapeutic and behavioural support for young people and fathers in Manchester.  

The Victim Support funding has enabled ACCESS to meet the needs of victims in six key areas:

• Traumatic Death; support for victims families & Friends 
• Children & Young people 0-18 victims of anti social behaviours
• Mentoring & CBT support for victims of crime
• Counselling for inner city victims of crime
• Group work for victims
• Respite for victims family and friends  

Over 60 session of group work and one to one therapy has been completed in schools across Greater Manchester throughout 2010-2011. ACCESS has also provided mentoring with additional education support for a growing Islamic African Somali community. The mentoring educational programme has been run by Somali group workers, who have a clearer understanding of the needs for this marginalised group. The team of workers have provided support for primary school children and adults.  

ACCESS have worked with Fathers Against Violence (FAV) supporting the development  of a Fathers Group which had now secured its own funding through the Home Office. The additional funding will now allow FAV to continue the support for fathers for two years. ACCESS has agreed to continue to provide additional support and therapy throughout the duration of the fathers group.

The funding from Victim Support have also allowed us to provide respite for over 120 families in the inner city of Manchester this support was combined with the Million Mothers Milling Event (MMM). The event highlighted the bereavement issues on those family and friends who have lost loved ones as a result of murder. The BE SAFE theme allowed families a free fun day out in Manchester and London. Many of these families have experienced the effects of gun and knife crime.

There have been a total of 108 sessions of one to one mentoring and counselling for young people and children between the ages of 8-18. Some referrals have been from as far as Wigan in Greater Manchester.  ACCESS has provided 53 counselling sessions for adults. Much of the counselling has been for those who have experience the impact of traumatic death such as murder.  

The ACCESS project has also provided a total of 12 parenting support session. 

ACCESS is now seeking funding for the second year and hope services who value the need of therapeutic and emotional support such as Victim Support will be able to support this valuable service.

The evaluation of the service has shown over 85 % of people who have engaged with the service have benefited positively.

Clients Evaluation comments

(Names have been changed and request was granted before using these quotes)  

After the murder of my partner I tried counselling but never felt understood. Then I got the number of Mothers Against Violence. They referred me to their counsellor.  I felt understood after the first session. I would never have been able to go back to work or face the trial of my partner without the counselling support.

Vanessa 25+years

I can only talk about my dad leaving and never seeing us again in my mentoring sessions. I am angry and violent towards my mum and family, I often don’t know why. I am glad I get to talk to my mentor and get his support.    

Shawn 13 years 

If you need support please contact MAV ACCESS Project on 0798 406 6771 

MAV Office:  0161 226 8134

Email: ian@mavuk.org

For more on Victim Support see our website Links

 MAV Visit Denmark!  September 2011  

Grundtvig University invites for the third consecutive year to three day seminar on gang violence. 120 professionals, politicians, ex offenders, volunteers and leading Danish and international scientists will meet for three days to present, discuss and develop strategies. A meeting between professionals, researchers, potiticians, volunteers and former offenders.

Tony Winters from Street Pastors organised a visiting group from a Denmark University to visit MAV in May as part of their comparative work with gangs. After further consultation, Tony organised a trip for two members of MAV to visit Denmark.  Julie Boyle (MAV Secretary) and Patsy McKie (MAV Founder) attend “Gang crime, new developments, prevention and exit” seminar in collaboration with Grundtvigs Højskole School and Eurogang network.  MAV were asked to deliver an educational presentation and share experiences.    

The seminar began with a welcome by Søren Lerche our host,  with discussions surrounding border co-operation, an update from the chief of police Kim Kliver of conflict in gang wars in denmark, a view of profit as a motivating factor in gang conflict by Morten Frich and finally a review of American gang reserach and how it contributes to preventative work by Finn Espensen.  Workshops on the involvement of civil society (community) included: 

•  Involvement of civil society: Focus on training and organizing volunteers by Tony Winter Street Pastors  & MAV 
• Focus on involvement and mobilization of volunteers by Steen Søgaard
• ‘Your Cop’ Community policing and community involvement at Nørrebro Police and local actors.

During the three day event the theme of international inspiration and co-operation with a presentation by Scott Decker on international research on exit strategies and Elmar Weitekamp spoke about restorative justice, peace circles and the use of volunteers in the process of reintegration of offenders into the community. MAV were thanked for the valuable contribution we made to the seminar.

MAV Juile Boyle said;  One of the most exciting things that happened was that we were introduced to two ladies who wanted to set up Mothers Against Violence in Denmark!  We were also treated to a very powerful performance by the Prison Choir from Vridsløselille State Prison which has been singing for 15 years behind bars.

Mr Carl Montlake 

MAV Business Development Lead  

Mothers Against Violence (MAV) have supported the rehabilitation of many offenders within the prison service. We are committed to developing the rehabilitation process for those who our serving sentences at Her Majesty Pleasure.

MAV have a commitment to victims of crime. Many of those victims want the criminal justice system to ensure justice is being served, and those criminals who serve their time return to communities reformed and able to live as law abiding citizens, contributing in a positive way to society.  

Mothers Against Violence have a commitment to working with Prisons Services to ensure those leaving prison have every opportunity to change offending behaviours. We are keen to help reduce the rate of re-offending in our communities. In November 2010 the Ministry of Justice stated out of 14 prisons in England and Wales over 70% of prisoners released after short team sentences go on to re-offend. Juliet Lyon of the Prison Reform Trust said;

“No one is going to argue with an aim to reduce current unacceptable prison reoffending rates but will a move to privatise more prisons deliver this outcome?” (March 2011)

“Home, a job and a supportive family were important in helping criminals avoid recidivism.” (November 2010)  

Juliet Lyon, of the Prison Reform Trust 

Road Map for Business Development is a programme used with ex-offenders to provide support in developing their knowledge of business and employment. The training programme provides training which covers all major aspects of establishing a business. It offers an opportunity to gain an understanding of business development and provides support, encouragement, opportunity and training for ex-offenders and those preparing for release. The programme will soon be used with Youth Offending Teams (YOT) as a preventative intervention. We will also offer the programme to those less fortunate in our community, those people who have never had the opportunity to go into business and would like to develop their skills. Blair Gibbs, of the Centre-Right Think-Tank Policy Exchange said;

“Neither prison nor probation work well enough.”The justice system is failing to deter criminals who remain active for many years and sentences are clearly not working to rehabilitate when most offenders go back to crime regardless of how many prior sentences they have served.”

Blair Gibbs, of the Centre-Right Think-Tank Policy Exchange (November 2010)

AIMS OF THE COURSE:

The course material is designed to help identify and clarify the reasons why a student wishes to start a new business venture. It will be of assistance in identifying a potential business idea. It is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the skills and abilities that are required to establish and organise a business. The main aims are:

• To understand the requirements for establishing a business
• To provide students with opportunities to develop academic skills in Business Studies appropriate for a range of progression options.
• To enable students to develop a knowledge and understanding of the subject area
• To encourage the learner to apply theoretical understanding and evaluation to complex content
• To enable students to apply a range of transferable skills to subject related topics, issues and situations.
• To provide students with a working knowledge of how to establish and develop the skills that will be required to develop their business
• To facilitate and foster the development of a range of presentation skills relevant and appropriate to the discipline level of running a business.
• To provide guidance for financing and raising capital for a business
• To provide support and encouragement to students   

  THE OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE ARE:

• The development of key skills in an effective and academic context for the purposes of personal development and progression.
• An appreciation of the value and problems of interpretation of core concepts in Business Studies, together with related and relevant practices, methodologies and theories.
• An understanding of the core concepts within Business Studies in different situations and contexts
• Ability for students to apply their experience, knowledge and understanding, and skills to a range of course-related topics.
• An ability to apply presentation skills appropriate to the discipline, level of study and delivery method of a business plan.
• Development of transferable evaluative and analytical skills relevant to Business Studies.
• An understanding of business in today’s market place along with all of its facets.

On completion of the course the student will be able to identify their own strengths, weaknesses and any special training needs. The training will also help the student identify the resources needed to commence a business and decide on the appropriate name and legal structure.

MAV’s chairperson Ian Swanston said; “I am encouraged by Carl Montlake’s project “Road Map for Business Development” and Carl’s positive ability to engage with those who have come through the criminal justice system.  Mothers Against Violence are committed to supporting Carl’s project. MAV are also keen to see the programme reach more people in prison, in youth offending institutes and the rehabilitation services. In addition to this we feel it should benefit those in the inner city communities who need support in developing their business ideas. Carl Montlake has been welcomed onto the MAV team, with his knowledge of business development and the criminal justice system, alongside MAV’s expertise in community engagement we believe this will be a good combination to ensuring the projects growth and success. 

Mr Ian C Swanston BSc (Hons) MAV Chairperson & ACCESS Project Lead.

For more information on the course please contact Carl Montlake on:

Phone No. 0161 226 8134

carl@mavuk.org

After the success of the last Poetry Night, we are pleased to announce there will be another night of poets on the 15^th September 2011 at 7pm. The venue will again be the Dry Bar, Oldham Street  Manchester. The last event had a number of Lyricists preforming their own work, making music out of the spoken word. The second event will see the return of some of the most creative Lyricists in Manchester.  

If you think you have got what it takes to perform on the night, and you would like to be one of the volunteer performers, please contact Darren Conner using the email address or phone number below.  We seek poets that share our values of peace and joy in our community. The evening is open to all.

The event raises money to support the running cost of the MAV Outreach Van. The van serves the community providing much needed support to those people affected by substance misuse and anti-social behaviour.

We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Details are on our flyers.

Office: 0161 2268134

darren@mavuk.org