Too Many Cooks;- began in January 2009-April 2009;- author Annette Rosaline Dunn
The Garden of Peace at Action for Childrens Centre;- now ;- determination and motivation ;-Too Many Cooks was the heading used for Action for Children ;- whose work with Vunerable Children helps children and parents over Northants.The photo above was taken when I attended the launch of our new centre locally.I shall be attending a presentation with parents in April where I shall SPEAK.
I'll be there as long as it takes" I signed at our Party Conference and a plaque as Childrens Champion was drawn by an artist and is kept in my study at home.
Home is where the "Heart" is and thumbs up ;- Keep up the good work gives me that motivation today.The majority of my voluntary work is with Children,engaged and actively involved, I plan ahead assemblies and activities for the following term.
Child Protection;- I have just replied to Margaret after reading her article in "First"
"We've reached a turning point in our societies attitude to children.These are NOT eye catching initiatives,headline grabbing polocies designed to suit the next days news, rather than the next generations lives.They require serious,long term determination to revive a CULTUREof social responsibilites in our Country.
We can TURN our Society around . But only if we do it TOGETHER. Its about social responsibility.Dont just ask what can Politicians do? Ask yourself, What can you and I do about it. That is the way to Heal a Nation. Thankyou for those words.
Those were STRONG / POSITIVE words of DETERMINATION.and these words gave me the motivation to continue my work today, working together with services to help improve a CULTURE in our society today. Working TOGETHER to ensure that correct services are in place for the benefit and NEEDS of our CHildren TODAY.
A HOLISTIC approach will enhance our services and move forward with our understanding of the NEEDS of OUR CHILDREN TODAY
The NEWS today was a complete embarrassment to those involved and not an example to set Children today.
Childrens BEHAVIOUR is a problem but constant awareness through the media of ADULTs behaviour!!
At Home in my flat it is CHILD Friendly ;- although my own children are in their late twenties I have always kept ample books ,pens &paper soft toys and games if there are any visitors with children.
We have a Social Responsibility and CHILDREN are OUR FUTURE generation.
When I had the opportunity of visiting Parliament in December 2007 to discuss Policy of our childrens services I made a point of talking about "LEADERSHIP" in our schools and the Governing body that takes a huge responsibilty today.. Also LEADERSHIP in other areas too, will make the difference to those vital decisions made about the services.
Creating a Better World for Future Generation ;- CWO 2007 @QEII centre a full house both members and speakers. This was my 2nd womens conference the previous one held in the Emmanuel Centre ;- Winning with Women . Both Conferences the speakers were excellent and food for thought.2006 I had met ladies from Beverley in Yorkshire who were celebrating Dougs 80th birthday at the Cons Club in Beverley and got me to sign their brochure, sadly he died at election time in May 2008.
2008 CWO Conference I had missed,I was visiting Geneva that day The Red Cross museum and United Nations building.
CWO 2008 Cycle of Life ;- In October 1997 I attended my first conference held in Northants at the Kings Park as a Volunteer helper @ Kilsby Primary School. The Circle of Life from the birth of a Child to Grandparents. later in 1999 I used that Circle as part of my presentation on behaviour to demonstate at what age a child can and does become "Streetwise"
1998-2003 ;- I helped Voluntary @ Onley prison with Education for 16-19yrs and tutors from College visited to observe my classes.I presented my port-folio in 2000 and received certificates for C&G 730 teaching Basic English Skills...
I continued my Voluntary work at Kilsby Primary School and Pre-school until 2003 when later that year in June I was elected in a By-Election.I became Governor @ two schools in Town and continued to help in different areas.
1st July 1989 - 1st july 2009 ;- twenty years, and last year in August 2008 I wrote "Keeping the Mind Alive" which has been accepted by the Mental health Foundation Trust.
I had also written A Swing of Mood in 1995 which I left with the University of Medical Sciencewhen I visted in 2001. on a floppy disc.
I had kept my MIND alive by helping Voluntary and I would advise anyone who has suffered a breakdown, retired from work, unemployed or who has a Mental illness to help Voluntary to keep the mind alive,keep up todate with legislation and to keep in touch with others.
Being Elected a District Councillor and stepping out in the Community was a huge step for me but six years later,still working hard based at home, I have coped extremely well and have enjoyed the challenge.
1998-2004 ;- a part of the SSCC founded in Poitiet who have missions all over the World and during that time I had ran workshops to raise funds for Mozambique and the Phillipines with the help of the Justice and Peace group @ St AugustinesRC Church and it was during that time I helped at Onley Prison with education there.
1998-2009 a voluntary helper with Children Come First part of NACCC when I have attended Universities in the East Midlands for their AGM.
"Keeping the Dream Alive" June 2007 I had the opportunity of visiting Iganga,Uganda and helping with Daventry friends of Iganga and Water for Kids. I had written of my experience of visiting Iganga and able to meet people I had links with for over ten years. This was printed in the Councillors magazine and local newspapers included the Church Diocene paper "The Vine"My son had helped sponsor that trip which I really appreciated and I took out many gifts I had collected from people. The students at the Orphanage had made a blackboard for me with the money I gave them and each day I bought bananas for the children and later a banana tree for them to plant.
It was great to help at William Parker this year on World Water day with memories of the times I took assemblies for World Vision at that school in 1997.
"Too Many Cooks" Action for Children working with Vunerable Children and Parents.
It was worthwhile and fullfiling to speak with parents last week who had finished their parenting course and that it gave then hope and inspiration.
Pick yourself up and shake yourself down and START NOW and lets get it RIGHT.
Too Many Cooks ;- blog author Annette Rosaline Dunn received a Letter from the Holy Father, at her home in Plough Close .I had thanked him for his leaflet for mental health sufferers which would help many people and he in return thanked me for my correspondance.
I also received correspondance from many others with thanks.
I had spoken on World Womens Day of prayer at the Chapel in Welford in 2006 who were representing the Catholic Church that day. It had taken time writing and preparing for that talk on South African Women which was applauded.
I turned a corner this year 2009 decided to help with Lent groups to refresh my knowledge.
Ash Wednesday - Easter ;- I kept in touch with someone who is housebound and was receiving Communion each week during that time.I should have gone to Leeds the week of Ash Wednesday but work kept me at home and I apologised for not attending.
"A Day in the Country " over three hundered attended that day from over Northants and Oxfordshire;- Lets Grow Together Northants LAA logo extended over the boundaries.
1979 ;- I first became a (Conservative ) member and with children arriving in 1980/82 I kept low key and just attended the village functions.October 1997 I was then able to offer more help and assisted in the towns office and watched with interest the next General Elections and then the Local Elections
1989-2009 ;- I can now Communicate more with others and we can see the "Change" and difference that Communication is making with people from all walks of Life.
Plan for Change ;-NOW.
Wednesday 15th April 2009;- mass @ 9.15am and then at home to continue with paperwork.
I have Macmillans funds to collect from regular places that hold events over Easter or who have collection boxes. With a paying in book I shall collect and bank these this week.
A Macmillans Ambassador and committee member since 2003 ;- I initially found out about Macmillans when I visited a patient who was terminally ill and learnt more about the procedure of cancer from the Macmillan nurses who are invaluable today.
Wednesday ;- I collected 350.00 raised over the Easter period for Macmillans with still two more places to visit.
There has been tremendous support for Charities over the Easter period and with the Economic recession people are thinking more about careful budgeting and taking their holidays in Britain over this time.
I have remained at home during this break with the leisure club nearby and also the Country Park for walks I havent needed to use my car too much.
Planning ahead with no holidays booked this year.........................................................................
A weekends Conference in Cheltenham and Ive searched the web and I would need to book the Dinner on the Saturday and find a room.The Spring Forum is already booked.
Hotel Booked and Paid.
Each week I receive news about the Arts from Shadow Minister, an area of interest.
Schools return next week and meetings will keep me busy with Thursday and Friday free before the weekend away.
Preparations for the weekend;- places to go /people to see /what to wear /which colour
Too many Cooks ;-helping through the last two Elections I listened and I learned and I have helped in Education voluntary since 1983 when I have listened and learned.A vunerable position thats hard to answer but he had kept quiet too knowing that we'll see clearly one day and answer.Watch for the content and programmes and wait for the response.
May 1st ;- a bank holiday weekend at home. Last weekend in Cheltenham was lively and I kept busy,attended the dinner and listened to Conference on Sunday after delivering in the morning.
This weekend at home;- it would be great to drop everything and go away somewhere for the weekend but funds are restricted and on my own I shall remain at home.maybe take my camera out to the lakes and walk.
Mapping out the future for our Children is part of the presentation prepared for this weeks presentations skills at Coleshill HQ.
