Dear all
Thanks to those who came to our last London network meeting
Just a quick email to say thanks for everyone who came to the London Community Psychology Network Meeting Part 2 on the 11th Oct. Marie and Tina from the charity S.T.O.R.M
(http://www.stormempowerment.com/) presented the story of the charity. We heard about Marie's own experiences and how as a survivor of domestic violence she set up the charity to help and empower single/lone parents and women by getting them out of poverty and into employment and education. So far, S.T.O.R.M has worked alongside over 900 single mothers. Marie and her team are incredibly dedicated community organisers and it was inspiring to hear about their work - including the Women of Power conference, their peace concert and the everyday collective actions that sustain and promote inclusion. It all started with Marie inviting a group of single Mum's from the local estate for a coffee in a local cafe...
Thanks to the audience - Marie and Tina said they felt truly valued and appreciated. So thank you!
Themes from the meeting
Themes that emerged and discussed included the 'professionalisation' of support, the need to spend time just 'hanging out' within a community to fully understand a community's strengths and needs (and whether this is possible within contexts such as the NHS), balancing individual and community focus, the avoidance of 'tick-box' exercises and other bureaucracy, overcoming barriers to access such as providing free creches and being very local, employment of community members, partnership working with other agencies and the role of psychologists.
Next London network meeting and clarifications
We thought we might sneak one more meeting in before the festive season to keep the momentum. So we've plumped for Part 3 Weds 12th December 6-8pm. This time we will try for a less 'ivory tower' venue - yet to be decided. We'll try and stay relatively central. Please put it in your diaries. Any ideas or preferences for the content of this meeting welcome! Email me (Sally) with suggestions.
Some clarifications - you most definitely DON'T have to be a member of the BPS to attend these network events, nor do you have to be a psychologist. We even welcome people who don't use the term 'dominant discourse'.
So please bring your friends and colleagues to join the movement!
For people's information: 'crowdwise' results for how to use the London network (from our initial meeting)
Here are the results of the poll taken at the meeting on 25.07.2012 (in order starting with the most popular):
1. Sharing/learning about community psychology projects (score of 112)
2. Training on relevant skills e.g. sharing how to set up projects, policy, peer
support (score of 81)
3.Policy/lobbying/activism
(score of 76)
4. Research - support group to do research alongside
communities (score of 62)
5. Online record of ongoing community psychology
projects (score of 27)
6. Online
community (score
of 18)
Some suggestions for meetings - thoughts welcome and please feel free to offer to facilitate or present these or other sessions
Comm Psych research skills e.g. qualitative methods such as grounded theory or participatory action research.
Dave Harper discussing the London Asylum group http://www.asylumonline.net/local-groups/ and historical critical mental health forums
Comm Psych in the NHS - barriers and opportunities discussion
Health and well-being boards - influencing policy
Peer support session - Comm Psych in a target driven world!
Thanks everyone - sorry this is so long! Lots to cover.
Best wishes
Sally
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