children first

children firstWestminster

Issue 16, Autumn 2012Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services

WIN! tickets to ‘Room on the Broom’

Back to WorkHelp and support for working mums

What’s OnAutumn events and activities

Get InspiredVolunteering in Westminster

FREEFlu jabs this winter

Contact us• toorderfreerecyclingbagsor

acontainer• tofindyourrubbishandrecycling

collectiondaysandtimes• tofindyourneareston-streetmicro

recyclingcentre

Visit:westminster.gov.uk/CFrecyclingCall:020 7641 2000Email:[email protected]

Ifyouhaveahousingmanagerorcaretakerpleaseaskthemfordetailsofyourrubbishandrecyclingservices.

Your mixed recycling collection is weekly

Step 1Orderyourfreerecyclingbagsorcontainerfromyourhousingmanagerorcaretaker,orcontactus.

Step 2Putallyourrecyclableitemstogetherintoyourrecyclingbagorcontainer.

Step 3Leaveitoutonyourrecyclingcollectiondayorputitinyournearestmixedrecyclingbinwhichmaybeinyourbuilding.

Your recycling guide

You can recycle: Tip:Flattenyourcardboardboxesandaddtoyourmixedrecycling

Dear Parent or Carer,The safety of our children is the biggest concern for any parent and we all want our children to be able to grow up in a safe neighbourhood where they can make friends.

Gangs and youth violence is a problem for some parts of the UK but in Westminster we’re working hard to tackle it through our Your Choice programme.

We’ve been visiting areas in Westminster where we know people are concerned about gangs. Just last month we visited Lisson Green and Warwick estates to tell people in the community about Your Choice, and what the council is doing to tackle the problem of gangs and what we can do to help.

Your Choice is about helping young people understand the consequences of the choices they make; if they choose to join a gang this will inevitably lead to a life of crime and maybe even violence.

Through Your Choice the council works with partners including Four Feathers, St Giles Trust and Avenues Youth Club to help young people and their families understand what their future might be like if they continue along this path.

Your Choice provides a range of programmes to help young people get back on track. But should they choose not to co-operate with the programmes, they will face consequences. The Your Choice bus will be visiting areas in the south of the city early next year.

In this edition, you can find out what activities are on offer for children and young people during the winter months. Find out how we’re supporting young athletes through our Champions of the Future scheme, one of our Olympic Legacy Programmes, and about our 2,012 opportunities to get young people trained up and into work.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Children First. Should you know someone who may want to subscribe to the publication please ask them to send their name, number, email and postal address to [email protected] so they can receive future editions.

Melanie Smith Director of Public Health for Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham

Councillor Nickie Aiken Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Contents4

5

6

8

9

10

12

14

16

18

20

Free flu jabs

Warm and well at home

School attendance

Volunteering in Westminster

Olympic sporting legacy

Help for victims of domestic violence

HPV vaccines

Help for low income families

Opportunities for young people

Tackling youth violence

What’s on this autumn

Westminster Children First, Issue 16, Autumn 2012 3

4 Westminster Children First, Issue 16, Autumn 2012

Smoke-free challenge Did you know that over 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible – it can get everywhere, so you can’t escape it; and neither can your children. That’s why it’s important to keep your home smoke free.

This month, be part of Stoptober – the 28 day stop smoking challenge. The Westminster Stop Smoking Service can help you by giving you support and medication to give you the best chance of quitting for good.

The free services and help available are:

• apersonalquitplanandmotivationaltips for how to stay on track

• onetoone,group,ortelephonesupport

• arrangingaprescriptionforfreenicotine patches

• acarbonmonoxidemonitorforyou to check your progress .

Call: 0800 328 8537

Visit: Lisson Grove Health Centre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EG or speak to your local pharmacist or GP.

You are five times more likely to quit smoking for good if you make it to 28 days.

School admissionsIs your child starting primary or secondary school in September 2013? School Admissions brochures with details of all the schools in Westminster are now available online through the council’s School Admissions team or your child’s school or nursery. Find out more at www.westminster.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Get Your Free Flu Jab! Seasonal flu happens every year, usually in the winter and vaccinations are recommended for many vulnerable groups, including those women and children most at risk of catching or spreading flu.

Free vaccinations from your GP are available for:

• all pregnant women

• children with any of the conditions listed below– Diabetes– A chest problem or breathing

difficulties (e.g. asthma, bronchitis)– A heart problem– Kidney disease or liver disease– A neurological condition– A low immune system due to

disease (e.g. cystic fibrosis) or treatment (e.g. cancer treatment)

– A problem with the spleen (e.g. sickle cell disease)

– or have previously been admitted to hospital with chest or breathing problems.

For more information talk to your GP or go to www.nhs.uk

NEWS Parent Champions

We warmly welcome three Arabic-speaking ‘Parent Champions’ as advocates of

childcare and early years activities, all successfully recruited by The Family Information Service in partnership with Daycare Trust: Azza Hanafi, Suad Rashwan and Fadhila Abutourabi.

These Parent Champions offer support if you are unfamiliar with formal childcare. They are here to help you understand childcare benefits available, help you find out and take up formal childcare places for your children, and encourage your participation in local early learning activities and services.


Tips to reduce fuel bills and stay healthy

Warm and well at home Fuel prices have been increasing steadily over the last few years, and it can be worrying, but there are plenty of things that families can do to keep costs down and keep warm and well in winter.

Start saving today with low or no-cost energy saving measures like:

• switching off lights and appliances not in use

• drawingyourcurtainsafterdark

• onlyboilingasmuchwaterasyouneed

• switchingtolowenergylightbulbs

• installingradiatorpanels

• draughtproofingyourhome.

One family that has already taken action is Mr and Mrs Brown1, who own their own property and live with their children. Last winter they struggled to cope with high heating bills, but after seeking help from the council they are now in the process of having a new heating system installed free of charge funded through the Westminster Private Sector Decent Homes grant.

Mr Brown says: “Last winter our 30 year old boiler was declared unsafe following our annual gas safety check. By word of mouth we heard about the Westminster Home Improvement grant and applied. The process has been straight forward and we are now about to have a new boiler, including heating controls installed in time for winter. ”

“ The new boiler will be much more efficient so we expect our heating bills to be halved.”

Low income owner occupiers and private sector tenants whose home fail the decent homes standard repairing obligations may qualify for a heating grant. Contact the Westminster Home Improvement Agency on 020 7641 8959 for further details and a grant eligibility check.

If you live in a council property, please contact your local Estate Office or if you are a private tenant, contact the council’s Residential Environmental Health Department on 020 7641 6161.

For further advice about grants and saving energy in the home contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0300 123 1234 or visit their website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Fuel debt

If you are struggling to pay your fuel bills contact your supplier as soon as possible to let them know, this will stop the situation from escalating further and will allow you to set up a payment plan. If you are in significant arrears you may be able to get a grant to remove or reduce your fuel debt. For advice please contact Westminster CAB on 08444 771611 or e-mail [email protected]

1Names have been changed

You can support your child’s education by:

• ensuringtheyarefullypreparedforschool

each day

• encouragingthemwiththeirstudies

• attendingmeetingsinschoolwheninvited

and letting the school know as soon as

there are any problems or changes.

If you’re worried about your child’s attendance

at school, we can help. The council’s Attendance

Service offers advice and support to children,

young people and families as well as sometimes

taking legal action to promote and enforce

attendance. Education Welfare Officers working

in the service will meet with you to try to work

out why your child is failing to attend school,

and to agree a parenting contract with you, to

improve the situation. The parenting contract

usually aims to improve the situation in eight

to 12 weeks. Contact the Attendance Service

on 020 7641 7580.

Regular school attendance is important. Children who

attend school regularly are more likely to be successful.

Your child deserves the best education possible.

School resultsWestminster’s schools are doing

better than ever! In Summer 2012,

at Key Stage 2 (Year 6):

• 82% of pupils achieved l4+ in English

and Maths combined (compared to

78% in 2011 and 77% in 2010)

• 95% of pupils progressed two levels

in English, since Key Stage 1 (Year 2.

Compared to 91% in 2011 and 88%

in 2010)

• 93% of pupils progressed two levels

in Maths, since Key Stage 1 (Year 2.

Compared to 87% in 2011 and 85%

in 2010)

Find out more about Westminster’s

schools at www.westminster.gov.uk/

schools

Remember, it is a legal requirement

for your child to attend school

regularly. Going to school regularly

will help:

• togivehim/herthebestpossible

start in life

• tokeepupwithschoolwork

• toprovereliabilitytoprospective

employers

• toreducetheriskofbecoming

a victim of crime or abuse

• toreducetheopportunitytobe

drawn into anti-social behaviour.


Top tips – keeping an eye on your child’s school attendance

1. Keep the school informed of any concerns in the family about your child not wanting to go to school

2. If your child is ill, let the school know immediately

3. Go to parents’ evenings and other school activities to support your child’s education

4. Do not take time off for holidays or shopping trips as this could affect your child’s learning, and may also mean you being prosecuted for non school attendance

5. If you believe your child is not attending school but are not sure, contact the school. They and other support networks will do all they can to help you.

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Michael Jones, aged 20 from Kilburn is a Sales Manager and Football Coach who volunteers on the shop floor at Circle Sports, a community-run social enterprise selling sporting equipment to raise money for local sports clubs and activities. He also runs a free football club for 8-13 year olds at Little Venice Sport Centre from 6-7pm every Tuesday.

“I moved back up to London last year to look for work but was finding it hard to get a job. I was in my local job centre when I heard about the opportunity at Circle Sports so I thought it was worth a look. I also hadn’t ever worked in retail and I wanted to try something completely new.

I’ve been playing football for as long as I can remember and the end goal is to become a professional football coach. Before I moved back to London I’d been doing an apprenticeship with my local league one football team and wanted to use what I’d learnt there.

“ I like getting out of the house, I don’t like sitting indoors so that motivates me. By being here I am using my spare time efficiently rather than just wasting it.

My favourite part of the role for both working in Circle Sport and football coaching is giving something back to the community. I also

think that if you give a little, you get a little – volunteering is a good way of working your way up and getting yourself known, which will help towards getting wherever you want to end up. I’ve made some brilliant contacts through everything I’ve done so far.

I’ve learnt quite a lot of new skills too. I’ve definitely gained confidence since I’ve been here, and I’ve also learnt customer service skills and speaking to customers and clients. I’ve also gained a BTEC in coaching. I had to do a few weeks training and then 30 hours of volunteering to gain my certificate so I used the volunteering I already do to go towards it.

I think giving young people the chance to do things for free is a great way to inspire a generation. Most of the things, especially in sport, aren’t cheap. My football training has had 10 new members in the last few weeks so people definitely want to get involved with things thanks to London 2012.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in Westminster visit www.mycommunitymap.co.uk, contact Volunteer Centre Westminster on 020 7266 1992 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/volunteer

Giving backInspired by the thousands of 2012 Games volunteers? You’re not the only one!


Our Champions of the Future scheme is one of our legacy programmes and gives gifted and talented athletes in Westminster an opportunity to access financial support and mentoring to help with training and development.

Victor-Ricardo Dos Santos, 17 lives in Maida Vale and is currently studying for his A levels.

“I’ve always enjoyed athletics and worked hard to improve in my sport. I got onto the Champions of the Future scheme when I was 15 and since then I’ve been able to access some of the best facilities in Westminster. I use the fantastic gym and track at Paddington Recreation ground. It really helps to keep my fitness up!”

“ I have a very positive attitude towards sport, win or lose I still think that the taking part bit is all that counts and no matter the outcome I’ll always reach the finish line smiling.”

“I’m always planning my next step and as long as I keep training hard, maintain the same mentality that I have now, who knows I could end up an Olympic finalist!

“To young people that are bored at home or have nothing to do then I’d say sport is one of the best ways of meeting new people.”

Support for young athletes

If you know a talented young athlete, they may be able to get funding and support to help them with their training through the Champions of the Future scheme. Visit www.westminster.gov.uk/champions or call 020 7641 2012 for more information.

ActiveWestminster Weekend

If you’re feeling inspired and would like to get your kids more active, take them down to your local leisure centre on the 1st and 2nd of December to try out a new sport for free. It’s the perfect opportunity to let them find out what they’re good at.

For more information visit www.westminster.gov.uk/activeweekend

Olympic sporting legacy The Olympics may be over but we want every young person in Westminster to benefit from living in an Olympic city.

To get involved and keep up to date with all the sporting action in

Westminster search ‘ActiveWestminster’ on Facebook and follow @ActiveWCC on twitter.


We’re committed to breaking the silence around domestic abuse, and helping anyone who is suffering.

Annabel, 40, is a former Westminster resident, who is a survivor of domestic abuse. She has three children and was in a relationship with her violent ex-partner for 15 years. With help from the council and other services, Annabel has left Westminster for her own and her children’s safety.

“I thought I could sort it myself, and I thought he would change, right until the final incident when we were together. Then I thought: ‘Do you know what? He is not going to change. I need help for me and the children.’

“I was offered one-to-one support with a Domestic Violence Consultant. She came with me everywhere I needed to go – court, solicitor’s, housing, everywhere. She also came to my home and we talked. She gave me emotional as well as practical support. I was given an Intensive Outreach Worker who helped me with the children, liaised with the schools for me and came with me to meetings about the children. I was given

a Benefits Advisor who helped me work through all my debts and rent arrears and negotiate payment plans.

“The life I’ve got now is very different. The kids aren’t living in fear. It’s been hard but we needed to get away from the violence. There have been times when I haven’t known if I could do it. But I have been able to call my support workers in Westminster and they have always had time for me and reassured me that I am not a victim anymore.Annabel is a member of the Phoenix group, a domestic abuse survivors group run by and for women in Westminster who have experienced domestic abuse. If you want to know more about Phoenix, or are interested in joining the group, please contact [email protected] or text 07951 047 775

“The last thing Social Services want to do is take children away”How the council and its partners can help you break the silence of domestic abuse

To find out more about how we can help, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/domesticsbuse, email [email protected] or call our Safeguarding line on 020 7641 2176

Remember you’re not alone, it’s not your fault, and there are people who can help you change your life.

“ I think the main thing I’d like to say to anyone who is in the position I was in, is that there are people out there to help you. I realise now that the last thing Social Services want to do is take children away.”


HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. There are over 100 strains of the virus of which 13 are known to cause cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against strains 16+18 which cause over 70% of cervical cancer cases. Over 1000 women die of cervical cancer each year in the UK.

The HPV vaccine currently provided by the Department of Health is called Gardasil, which also protects against HPV strains 6+11 which are known to cause genital warts.

Gillian and her team oversee the delivery of the Westminster School Health Immunisation Programme which includes the HPV vaccine, Teenage Booster vaccine (which protects against tetanus, diphtheria & polio) and a targeted BCG programme to protect against TB for reception aged children who meet the inclusion criteria.

Gillian and her team work with school nurses who provide HPV health promotion along with the vaccine itself in schools. She says: “We deliver three doses of HPV vaccine over a six month period as three doses are required to achieve the maximum protection against the virus.”

” After receiving the HPV vaccine, girls may expect a sore arm which is a common side effect following any vaccination. Other side effects can include feeling tired, stomach upset, headache or feeling faint. Schools nurses check that all girls are fine before they return to their class and the girls also receive an after care leaflet following the

Back to school for vaccine team

The national HPV vaccination programme was first introduced in 2008 for all girls in year 8 (aged 12 – 13). As schools return for the new term, Gillian McCormack, Clinical Lead for Immunisations based at the Bessborough Centre in Westminster gets her team ready for the vaccination programme for girls across the borough.



Back to school for vaccine teamvaccination which includes the team’s contact number.”

“ Very rarely, having an injection can cause some distress and those who are very anxious can receive their vaccination in a more controlled environment such as at a catch up clinic, accompanied by their parents or carers if they wish.”

If girls missed their HPV jab, they can visit one of the two weekly catch-up clinics which run between 4pm – 5pm at the Bessborough Centre. For more information about the HPV jab, please call the Westminster School Immunisation Team on 020 7641 7467 or go to www.clch.nhs.uk/services/school-nursing.

You can also visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NWLvaccination

Your questions answeredWhy will my daughter be offered the HPV vaccine before she’s 16? The virus that causes cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), is spread by having sex or being sexually intimate with another person who has the virus. So, it’s natural that, as a parent, you may question why the HPV vaccine will be given to your daughter before she reaches the age of consent at 16.

While most girls don’t start having sex until they’re 16 or older, it’s best for them to be vaccinated a few years earlier so they get the most benefit from the vaccine. If the HPV vaccine is given after a young woman has started having sex, it’s possible she may already be infected with the virus, and it’s therefore too late for the vaccine to fully protect her.

What if my daughter doesn’t want the HPV vaccination? Your daughter has to sign a consent form before she can be vaccinated. So she doesn’t have to have the HPV vaccine if she doesn’t want to. But it’s worth making sure she’s thought things through. The HPV vaccine has a good safety record and will protect her against cervical cancer for many years.

Suggest she speaks to the nurse or doctor if she wants more information - on her own, or with you if she’d prefer.

What if my daughter wants the vaccination, but I’d rather she didn’t? The decision to have the vaccine is legally your daughter’s, as long as she understands the issues in giving consent. Discuss this with your daughter, the doctor or nurse to get more information.

The council is working with Save the Children to offer families with young children who are living on a low income, grants for essential household items to help their children to Eat, Sleep, Learn and Play (ESLP) in their own homes.

Lauren is a single mum to Tiffany, two, and Callum, four. They live together in a cramped, privately rented two bedroom flat in north west

Westminster. Lauren’s mum is usually staying with them so Lauren shares one of the bedrooms with her children. She and Tiffany sleep in the same bed while Callum has his own; there is barely any space left in the bedroom to move around.

Lauren receives £200 a month in child tax credits and £130 every two weeks through income support. She would love to go back to work, but her mother can’t help with the children and she can’t afford childcare. As a result of housing benefit caps, Lauren is behind on her rent and describes the situation as ‘very stressful’. She is always worrying about money.

ESLP grants can help buy:

CookerFridgeDining table and chairsKitchen equipmentHigh chairCot bed* Single bed*

Bunk beds*Washing machinePushchairStorage solutions (wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside cabinet)

Books and toys.

ESLP grants are available to Westminster families who:

• are in receipt of one of a number of qualifying benefits and

• haveachildunder36monthsormotheris 28 weeks or more pregnant, and

• arestrugglingwithoutoneormoreofthe household items available through the scheme.

Eat, Sleep, Learn, Play! Save the Children and the council helping families in Westminster

* These items come with a mattress and bedding


BURSARIES FOR BOYS IN YEARS 5 TO 8

For more information please visit www.arnoldhouse.co.uk

Arnold House School in St John’s Wood welcomes Bursary applications for September 2013.

Such awards are intended to extend the benefits of an all-around education to boys of strong potential

and good character whose families would not otherwise be able to afford the School’s fees.

Interested parents should contact the Registrar, Penny Williams on 020 7266 6982 or at

[email protected]

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL

WIN tickets to ‘Room on the Broom’

The witch and her cat are flying happily along on their broomstick when a gust of wind blows her hat, bow and wand away into the night. With the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog, the lost belongings are retrieved. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK! - it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

The well-loved book, Room on the Broom is now an exciting West End show.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, email [email protected], using ‘Room on the Broom’ as your email subject by 21st November 2012.

Before receiving a grant through ESLP, Lauren didn’t have a cooker and had to make do with a small electric table-top oven which meant that she could only cook one meal at a time. This took so long that her children would often be crying with hunger and she resorted to buying takeaways, using money from her rent and water rates which made the money problems worse.

Lauren recalls:

‘ The kids would eat pasta most of the time, but had not really experienced anything like chicken. It upset me that I couldn’t cook for them.

‘ They wanted their food and were hungry, so I’d have to go out and get them a takeaway, and usually ended up doing this around four times a week. It made them more hyper, and it wasn’t healthy. It turned my son into a really picky eater too.’

Through ESLP Lauren received a new cooker:

Now, says Lauren:

‘ It’s so much better. The children have energy now, they are getting the vitamins they need.’

‘ The takeaways have gone, and that was half our budget for food, now there’s more things

in the freezer and I don’t have to drag the kids to the shops all the time.

‘ We can invite family, like my brother around for meals. So when I got this cooker I was jumping for joy!’

If your family is eligible for an ESLP grant, talk to the Outreach Team at your local Children’s Centre, or Health Visitor. For contact details, call the Westminster Family Information Service

on 020 7641 7929.

Work it outGetting young people into education, employment and training

London Apprenticeship CompanyOngoing

Age: 16-24

If you’re leaving school or college and want to get into work, talk to the London Apprenticeship Company about the opportunities that are available to you. Venue: Westminster Kingsway College, St. James’s Park Centre, Castle Lane, SW1E 6DR

T: 020 7963 8548E: [email protected]: londonapprenticeship.co.uk

Cost: FreeNearest Tube:St.James’sPark/Victoria

Sports volunteering

Age: 16+

If you’re interested in becoming a coach, referee, administrator or instructor, Westminster Sports Unit and Volunteer Centre Westminster can help you find a role that matches your skills and interests. You can also get help with funding for training courses.

T: 020 7087 4352E: [email protected]: Subsidised travel provided

2,012 opportunities

Age: 16-24

Get help into an apprenticeship, work placement or internship with our new programme that matches young people with local businesses to gain valuable work experience. There will be 2,012 opportunities in the next year so there’s something for all interests and levels of experience. Westminster residents only.E: [email protected]

Cost: Free

Westminster’s young people are full of talent, drive and ambition, and being at the heart of the capital gives them a unique opportunity to get the best in education, training and employment opportunities.

The council works closely with a number of organisations and local businesses to make sure our amazing young people can get ahead.

Leo secured a Customer Service Apprenticeship with Alias Hire through the London Apprenticeship Company.

“I really enjoyed college, I got a distinction for my BTEC in Music, but I’m glad I didn’t end up going on to University. I’m a really practical person and by doing an apprenticeship I gain all this experience and earn a wage. The music and media industries are very hard to get into, so I hope the work experience and networking opportunities I get in this job will set me up for the future.

“After college I managed to get a few days work experience but couldn’t find paid work, so I got a job in a supermarket, which I didn’t

enjoy much. People say that you don’t earn much doing an apprenticeship, but I’m earning double the amount I got before. I feel like one of the team at Alias Hire. It’s a small company, so I’m involved in everything.

“I hope I get to stay on but, if not, this apprenticeship will help

me move on in my career.”


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info, offers and activities for familiesFREE

Westminster Children First, Issue 12, Spring/Summer 2011

1

children fi rstWestminster

Issue 12, Spring/

Summer 2011

Your magazine to fi nd out more about children’s

and young people’s services

A great

place to

grow up!grow up!

Play safely

this summer!

Top tips for

holiday play

Take centre

stageKids week and

West End LIVE offer

FREE theatre for families

What’s on

this summer?

Activities

and eventsWIN a

family ticket to Legally

Blonde

WCC_Children'sFirst_May11AW.indd 1

11/05/2011 13:16Westminster Children First, Issue 15, Summer 2012

1

children firstWestminster

Issue 15, Summer 2012

Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services

WIN! tickets to Horrible Histories LIVE

West End LIVE & Kids WeekBetter than ever for 2012!

What’s OnSummer activities & events

Story LabThis year’s Summer reading Challenge is here!

Baby FriendlyBreastfeeding support for new mums

Don’t forget to tell

us if you want

the posted or

e-version of the

magazine!

Children First is Westminster’s FREE magazine for parents and carers, with all the latest information about services, activities and special offers for both children and young people and you, their parents and carers.

Sign up now to receive the next edition FREE. Email [email protected], leave your details on the signup sheet or scan the QR code.

We know that gangs and youth violence are a serious concern for some residents living in Westminster, so last month we visited Lisson Green and Warwick Estates in the Your Choice bus to talk to people in the community about what the council and its partners, including Fourth Feathers, Avenues youth club and St Giles Trust, are doing to tackle people’s concerns. We also ran taster sessions for young people to encourage them to get involved in the great range of activities on offer including Parkour and street dance.

Tackling youth violence in your neighbourhood

The Your Choice gang programme provides a range of interventions and programmes, allowing young people who may have become involved in gangs to make the choice to become upstanding members of their community, exit a life of crime, or face some serious consequences.

Your Choice provides:

• Agangexitprogrammeworkingwithup to 30 young people over one year to stop their offending and end their affiliation with gangs.

• TheFreshStartprogrammewhichishelping 100 young people into sustained employment over two years.

• TheGrowingAgainstGangsandViolence early intervention programme, working with young children across all schools in Westminster.

• Thecouncil’sflagshipFamilyRecoveryProgramme working with gang affected families

• AjointpoliceandcouncilIntegratedGangs Unit to share information on young people at risk and improve the interventions they receive.



Yasin, 16, is a local youth who has had help from St Giles Trust to get back on track and to college. “There are a lot of kids I care about and I wouldn’t want to see them go down the wrong path. I want them to be led the right way, the way I follow. Days like today are good for kids who are ready to engage.”

Barrington from St Giles Trust works with families and youths like Yasin:

“What we do is to try to let the young person we are working with

understand the negative direction that they are going into and how it will affect them, their household, and their community. Once they understand that and they are willing to engage with the programme, then we spend some time helping them to build their confidence to get through this and away from violence, crime and negative behaviour.”

Lita is a resident of Church Street who says: “If Westminster is going to help young people, give them training to help them into jobs.”

Your Choice gives young people and their families a clear choice: if they get involved but then refuse to co-operate with the programmes that are on offer – they will face consequences. They face sanctions including possibility of eviction, parenting orders and anti-social behaviour orders. It also helps young people to understand that with choices come consequences and if they choose to continue to associate with gangs they will be subject to a range of enforcement measures by the Police and council.

If you have concerns about serious youth violenceorgangsvisitwestminster.gov.uk/yourchoice email [email protected] or call 020 7641 1085 to ask questions, tell us your concerns and find out what Your Choice could mean for your community.

The Your Choice bus will be visiting Warwick, Churchill and other areas around South Westminister in February 2013

Sport and leisure

Climbing wall taster sessions30 October – 2 November 2012Age: 5-15yrsHalf term camps (Tennis, Football, Cricket, Basketball, Multi-sport)Venue: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, London W9 1PDMulti-sport camp, St Augustine’s Sports Centre, Rudolph Road, London NW6 5AWTel: 020 7641 3642 or [email protected]: £50.25 for 4 days or £26.30 with Westminster ResCardNearest tube: Kilburn Park and Maida Vale on Bakerloo lineWheelchair access: YesBooking required: Yes

Community cricketTuesdays, 4-6pm (excluding 25th December and 1st January)Age: 11-16Free cricket training for young people from Capital Kids Cricket.Venue: Little Venice Sports Centre, 10 Crompton Street, W2 1NDT: 07984 908 481Email: [email protected]: FreeNearest Tube:EdgwareRoad/Warwick AvenueBooking required: Yes

Half-term camps30 October-2 NovemberAge: 5-15Tennis, football, cricket, basketball and multi-sport camps.Venue: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, W9 1PD (tennis, football, cricket and basketball)

St. Augustine’s Sports Centre, Rudolph Road, NW6 5AW (multi-sport)T: 020 7641 3642E: [email protected]: www.sportscourses.org Cost: £50.25 for four days or £26.30 with an ActiveWestminster PassportNearest Tube: Kilburn Park (St. Augustine’s)/MaidaVale(PadRec)Wheelchair access: YesBooking required: Yes

Culture

Girls Allowed Group Tuesdays, 4-7pmAge: 9-19Drama, customising clothes, cooking, cheerleading and sports.Venue: The Avenues Youth Project, 3-7 Third Avenue, W10 4RST: 020 8969 9552Cost: FreeNearest Tube: Queen’sPark/Westbourne ParkWheelchair access

Festive

Christmas crafts19th December, 3.30-4.30pmAge: 5+Make Christmas decorations in this festive crafts workshop.Venue: St. John’s Wood Library, 20 Circus Road, NW8 6PDT: 020 7641 1300E: [email protected]: FreeNearest Tube: St. John’s WoodWheelchair access: YesBooking required: Yes


/adoptionandfosteringwww.lbhf.gov.uk /fosteringwww.rbkc.gov.uk/fosteringwww.westminster.gov.uk/fostering

Freephone 0800 169 3497 [email protected]

EXPLAINING to her own three children why a foster baby might soon be arriving proved surprisingly easy for Sophie James.

Having raised her own trio single-handedly after things didn’t work out with their dad, Sophie was open and honest with her two boys and a girl, aged seven, eight and 11.

“Sometimes mummies can’t look after their babies,” she said. They reminded her that several of their own schoolfriends were in care.

“They were really excited; they love him,” said Sophie, 37. “I thought the novelty might wear off, but it hasn’t. The only thing they said they wouldn’t do was pooey nappies!”

Daniel, now eight months old, has been with the family since July. “My 11-year-old daughter likes to give him his last bottle, before bed.”

COME TO OUR INFORMATION EVENT28 November 20126pm - 8pmWestminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street SW1E 6QP

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Sophie JamesFoster carer for babies.

Daniel’s favourite time of the day is mid-afternoon, when Sophie puts him in the buggy and goes to collect her own children from school. “When we go to meet them at the school gates, his little legs kick and his arms go!”

She had answered an advert for foster carers in the summer of 2011, having talked it through with a friend who had fostered children for more than a decade.

“I phoned up and spoke to someone who asked me why I wanted to do it, and what experience I have,” she recalled. “Do I have children? Do I have space? As I didn’t have a spare room, I was aiming at babies, because they can sleep in a cot in your room until the age of two.”

Training and approval followed, the essentials (cot, mattress, buggy etc) were bought with money provided by social services, and Daniel arrived almost immediately. Foster carers get a weekly fee and an allowance for the child, plus a lot of support and help from social workers.

What is her advice to anyone thinking about a similar step?

“Remember you’re looking after someone’s child. It’s not a cat! It’s 24/7. You have to be sure it’s what you want. It’s not just giving children a safe home. It’s developing their cognitive skills and bringing them up to be a proper individual.

“Carers must be open-minded. You can’t judge people.”

Sophie grew up in Sands End, and has a network of friends and family, but has to maintain strict confidentiality about why Daniel is with her. “It’s not that I don’t trust them,” she said, explaining that Daniel’s welfare was paramount. “I know Daniel’s background because you need to know what triggers the child’s emotions.”

Sophie was braced for sleepless nights, but has been very lucky that Daniel is such a happy child.

What is the knack? “Stability and routine; getting up, meals, his bath – they’re all at the same time. Children need that. Then 8pm is my downtime, when everyone’s in bed and I can relax and read a book.”

Ad.CS Fostering-ChildrenFirst-160x240mm.indd 1 05/10/2012 12:27

Going back to work after having children can feel like a real struggle. It may be that the job you used to do doesn’t fit around your new life as a mum, or that you’re keen to get back to work, but aren’t sure what sort of job you want.

Samantha, 41, from Churchill Gardens, has one two and a half year old daughter. Samantha worked in events for seven years before having a baby. After her maternity leave, she went straight back into her old job on a full time basis, whilst her husband looked after their daughter full-time.

“Though I had loved my job before, with my little girl at home, I found it unmanageable. The job required long hours and a lot of travel – I found it hard and started to feel very low.”

“Eventually, I left, and felt an enormous weight lift from my shoulders. But worries started to creep in about money and the security of our future.”

“I told my sister-in-law and she suggested I contact Women Like Us about trying to find part-time work.”

“I attended a Women Like Us introductory meeting and found myself surrounded by mums from a range of backgrounds. We were all united in our worries about finding work that we could balance with family life, and about not being able to find work that we really wanted to do.”

“I came away from the meeting feeling totally enthused, and had a phone call from one of their advisors the very next day.”

“I attended a coaching workshop designed to help you decide what you really want to do, and how you can achieve it. Advisors helped me to identify my transferable skills. It was a ‘Eureka’ moment for me.

“I am now working as a PA to the CEO for a brilliant charity. It’s a wonderful job, I love it, I work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

I would never have gone for this job without the support from Women Like Us.

Work/Life balanceHelp and support for mums heading back to work

What can I do?Tips for mothers in Westminster on getting your job search started (www.womenlikeus.org.uk).

1. If you’re not sure what kind of job to go for start by making a list on what really drives and motivates you. Get a friend to help you. Remember, finding your next job is not just about your skills and experience – it’s also about where your passions lie.

2. Allow yourself to dream a little – there can be pressure from friends, family and colleagues to keep on doing what you’ve always done – but remember, it’s your career.

3. Use the internet to check out what’s happening in the jobs market and spot opportunities – looking at job profiles in job adverts can help you build a picture of what employers are looking for.

4. If you decide to change career be prepared to re-train and build new networks.

5. Remember, finding a new job may well take time – so try to set some aside on a regular basis for the search.


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Join us for stories, art workshops and activities every Sunday and in the school holidays.

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FREEFAMILYFUN

Admission Free Open daily 10am–6pmFriday until 9pm

Charing Cross / Leicester SquareTelephone: 020 7747 2885www.nationalgallery.org.uk/families

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