| FFLAG Training Days - News skills and old friends |
|
FFLAG recently held two training days for the team of dedicated parents who support our work by running helplines or parents support groups, by writing letters, attending events and speaking to various groups/organisations across the UK The first training day, held in Bristol, was attended by volunteers from as far away as Cornwall and Middlesex. The first part of the day was around the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. The training was provided by Michael Halls and Paul Roberts of the Intercom Trust. Michael talked about the poor role models for LGB young people, such as George Michael and Dale Winton. Young LGB people grow up afraid that they will turn out like this and as a result become withdrawn and desocialised. There are not enough visible ‘ordinary’ LGB people. Michael quoted from research that found that 31% of LGB people questioned had experienced bullying and that 40% of physical attacks on LGB people take place in school. Michael talked about the barriers faced when trying to deal with homophobic bullying. The head of year passes the issue to the head of PSE (personal and social education) who passes it to the deputy head who passes to the head who then blames the governors, the governors claim to be afraid of the parents. Michael explained about the eight points for dealing with homophobic bullying.
The training provided the volunteers with the necessary information and skills to be able to speak to schools and challenge homophobic bullying themselves but also to be able to support other parents who may contact FFLAG when their children are experiencing this bullying. After a working lunch, where the volunteers were able to network with each other and share their experiences the afternoon session covered helpline skills. This was aimed at a number of new FFLAG volunteers who have recently taken on, or who are about to take on, a helpline and as a refresher course for more experienced volunteers. This session was run by Bridget Suitters, of Victim Support. The session covered
The day closed with a brief presentation about the future of FFLAG given by Ann Durbin, Executive Director. Ann spoke about a bid that has recently been submitted to the Big Lottery fund. This is to cover the running costs of FFLAG for a further three years, to allow us to employ a second worker as an Education Officer and also to extend the range of services and publications that we currently offer. The second training day was held two weeks later in Manchester and was attended by almost 20 volunteers from as far away as Glasgow and Lincolnshire. Again the morning session was around homophobic bullying in schools. The training was led by Mark Jennett, author of Stand Up for Us and a freelance trainer. The first part of Mark’s session was concerned with facts and figures that parents could use to challenge schools for example “81% of primary age children identify the use of the word ‘gay’ as a way of attacking or making fun of someone. DfES guidance 2000 states that “Young people, whatever their developing sexuality, need to feel that sex and relationship education is relevant to them and sensitive to their needs.” Ofsted, The General Teaching Council of England (to which all teachers must belong) and Every Child Matters all have guidelines which insist that homophobia is challenged and dealt with in schools. The second part of the session was around the resources available to parents and schools to deal with homophobic bullying and ways in which different year groups can be taught. Primary school children may not understand what ‘gay’ means but they will understand fairness, unfairness and not being unkind to someone who is different. For secondary school pupils (who will definitely understand!) homophobic language should always be challenged, by all school staff and any instances of bullying should be dealt with in the same way that racism would be handled. Mark ended the session by showing a few of the many books, videos, DVD’s and publications that are available. After a working lunch the second session was around group skills and was led by Alistair Gault of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation in Manchester (who were also our hosts). The session started with the objectives of a parents support meeting, these included sharing information, reducing isolation and providing reassurance. The volunteers worked on things they were good at, areas they were weak on and tasks they avoided doing. They then chose one area they were weak on that they would like to improve, how they would improve and who would help them. These topics were many and varied including:
The day closed with the presentation on the future of FFLAG again delivered by the Executive Director. |