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| Chief Superindendent Andy Ewing |
Today promises to be a very exciting one! This evening we will welcome parents, teachers, headteachers, councillors and friends to the Special Commendation Presentation evening which is to be hosted Andy who is the Borough Commander for Barking and Dagenham at our Studios at the Malthouse.
Andy has been hugely supportive of our Finding the Words Programme led by Natalie and Neelofer with Grace as film animateur and maker. The girls have been working together over the past year and have made a film which includes their own poetry and drama. They take the film to schools and youth clubs and share it with their peers and lead discussions on the themes of teenage domestic violence and the dangers of getting involved in gangs. We are so proud of them all and delighted that Andy is choosing to honour their work with these Borough Commendations!
Thanks to the generous funding of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation we have been able to make this work exclusively for our home borough. Its wonderful to be work in such close partnership with Andy and his team and all our friends in Barking and Dagenham.
I am delighted that Andy has written a guest blog for today about the programme
Andy's Guest Blog:
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| Our Girls! The Finding The Words Programme (Photos:Theresa Snooks) |
I first watched the Finding the Words film some weeks ago now but I have not forgotten the initial impression it made upon me.
The sheer application, team work and dedication apparent in the making of the film, let alone that given to the delivery and wider dissemination through the performances is very remarkable.
What stands out for me is the profound impression that the work will have had on the cast and how it will demonstrate to them just what they can achieve both individually and collectively should they chose to. Any work which encourages young people to be able make and take choices which take them forward in life must be a good thing. I really hope that in time the girls will take forward the undoubted confidence gained from the project and influence others;particularly young men, to show that choices do exist and that violence in particular takes none of us anywhere.
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| Our Girls: FTW Programme (Photo Theresa Snooks) |
I am very much looking forward to making Borough Commander Commendation awards to all of the girls on Monday 25th of February and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Natalie and the team at Arc for such inspired work.
Thanks to Andy for this. I can't wait for this evening and will update you with news of the event tomorrow. Have a good start to your week!
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| Ebun, Sarah, Sefunmi Precious at C4 with our new Patron Jon SnowGirls: |
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