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FREE  Management UK’s first African & African-Caribbean Family Magazine FORwww.forfamilies.uk FAMILIESLaunch Issue 2018 FOR FAMILIES Magazine WIN A £400  Business Administration DNA TEST Discover your Welcome to the launch issue of African Ancestry For Families Magazine which is the FREE things  Customer Service to do with official magazine of the Afrikan Food children this AUTUMN Hall Movement Jollof Rice Managing Editor Office Contact  Accounting Poetry Competition Sundjata Keita Tel 07704 409992 WIN Cash Contributors Email Mark Todd [email protected] Newly revised traineeship package designed Art & Design Sagoo Studios EXCLUSIVEwith BESTOW INTERVIEW ELAN Nigel Roberts Limehouse Town Hall Founder Erzumah Ackerson 646 Commercial Road Marketing Network HAMAR PEOPLE are known for its cattle-jumping initiation rites specifically for young (16-24) determined London E14 7HA Timi Okuneye persons wanting a practical path into employment in the area of their choice THE NATIONAL government of Ethiopia has sold huge tracks of land belonging to the people of Lower Omo Valley without their consent and even though the area is internationally renowned for the discovery of Enrol today Together we can make your health and many hominid fossils. Tel: 020 8527 1627 social care services better, so please healthwatchharingey.org.uk The Hamar community is one of the main Email: [email protected] ‘Tell us your story’ communities under attack as a result of the sale of Web: www.agcollege.co.uk 020 8888 0579 their land. The community is known for its cattle- jumping initiation rites in which boys run along Alpha Gateway College the backs of the cattle to prove they are ready for Sutherland House, 43 Sutherland Road Putting local people at Tel: 020 3598 6414 manhood. London E17 6BU Web: www.healthwatch.co.uk the heart of local care Image by www.massimorumi.com

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For all enquiries please visit our website: We can advise you www.stoneandstonellp.co.uk MEDIA COMMENTATORS enough published studies to Call us on: 020 8540 2202 Tel: 0208 520 4368 Fax: 0208 521 1783 KEEP throwing out words like determine the long term impact cannabis, bush, weeding or on people who started using or email: [email protected] [email protected] marijuana when referring to drugs from a young age. 16 Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 5BP www.nortonfolgatesolicitors.com teenagers smoking drugs. But Sbin Image by Willspirit Scientists are clearer about cannabis isn’t what your child the short term negative impact could be hooked on. of smoking high strength Cannabis has changed a lot cannabis on the young. over the past 20 years. The People smoking cannabis can most common form on the Are you currently taking an find that they can’t stop and streets is called ‘skunk’ or when they try, they can’t sleep, 1-4 The Parade, Monarch Way, Ilford, Essex IG2 7HT ‘hydro’. 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Sadly there aren’t #4 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #5 Needs Assessment of vulnerable adults is a key responsibility in the care To get the ball rolling you need AFRICAN & AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN sector and it is recommended to contact your local authority to that people looking for care FUNERAL CARE request a Needs Assessment Taking the time to care agencies should check the to establish the overall needs CQC website first. including any adaptation For many people with aging parents the thought of having to required to make your parent’s organise long term care causes heightened levels of anxiety home safe and healthy. Homecare Provider Questions Once your parent’s needs have HAVING TO PUT elderly The level of care depends Cost of Care been established and the cost You should draw up a check parents or parent into a on the needs of your elderly Care at-home is much cheaper of providing it calculated, your list of questions to ask potential care home seems to be parent. 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www.vivanda.org [email protected] 01865 582090 Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica #10 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #11 She is wearing a dark blue I can see why Erzumah jumper and a pair of blue likes this show as it jeans. She stands at her fabric illustrates the eternal cutting table with the Sound battle many women face. of London Radio on in the Trying to rest back some of her background. QUEEN OF attention I ask her a guilt-laden We hear a gentle knock on the question. “How do you manage door and she shouts, “come to run your fashion label as in”. In enters a mini version of well as having a young family”? Erzumah in school uniform. “I think you have to consciously They instantly get chatting. It’s a remind yourself AFRICAN beautiful moment that there is a so I wait for a ❝I’m so excited world outside of natural break. fashion. What I I thought of a fun to see where the try to do is to find question, What’s path leads to fulfilling things FASHION your favourite TV for the family programme”? to participate in next. ❞ no matter how FASHION DESIGNER Erzumah Ackerson I got Erzumah small,” exerts thinking. She Erzumah. Since winning the BEFFTA “The one thing I sometimes had the answer but couldn’t award for the best notice with certain black remember the exact name Bestow Elan which Erzumah womenswear label in 2011, women is they buy into IN THE UK of her favourite show until kindly tells me is a combination fashions that aren’t necessarily Erzumah has diligently built up 12-year-old Nuru pipes up of vigour and style where for their body shapes. The a loyal following of women who “Being Mary Jane”. Bestow means “to give” and things they do get right Erzumah Ackerson speaks are not afraid to experiment Elan means “vigour, style”. however is not being afraid Being Mary Jane is a big hit with colour or textiles. to experiment with colour and for BET in the USA staring Apart from one-off small Ackerson’s unique silhouettes exclusively to For Families print,” replies Erzumah. Gabrielle Union. The drama amounts of money invested and style is often described explores how Union’s lead into the label, Erzumah has as having a sculptural quality. Producing outfits for sisters Magazine about building an character Mary Jane Paul remained an independent You can often see Erzumah hasn’t put the 48-year-old juggles her successful cable self-funded fashion business. wearing her designs around off designing. She has been news anchor career with south London. designing bridal dresses for independent fashion brand starting a family. some time now for mainly People say that making dresses black women. for African or African-Caribbean while bring up a young family women can be difficult because You make so many beautiful of their body shapes. wedding dresses for other women. Have you never Interview by Sundjata “No not at all. I’m always thought about producing your blown away when I design a I AM RUNNING late as usual I pretend to be making notes own wedding dress I ask her? so I phone ahead to inform my but I’m really trying to listen garment for a fuller woman interviewee the award-winning to her conversation. I ask and it accentuates in all the “Making wedding dresses fashion designer Erzumah quizzically, “Was that a male right places. More importantly, is new to the brand. I love Ackerson that I’m definitely on customer”? I’m always humbled by the how each client brings out my way. gratitude I receive from them,” something unique during the “Oh! Yes I make tailored shirts says Erzumah. design process. I was hoping to gauge her for men now”, she replies mood but I just get an engaged causally. I’m not being critical but some (continued on page #15) signal. I finally get to her sisters I see walking around And here I was labouring under petite basement studio at the Brixton in outfits that look odd. the impression that BESTOW Eurolink Business Centre on ELAN focuses exclusively on, ❝ Effra Road next door to the big I think every “timeless, feminine chic”. Halfords. “It just took off by word of women thinks I compose myself and knock mouth,” Erzumah explains. on her door and wait. No about that special answer. I knock harder and a I can see why men are flocking voice comes back, “come in”. to her door. Erzumah is tall day, immaterial I enter. Interviewing people with big hair and even bigger never gets any easier. dazzling smile. She’s got that of whether they jet black beauty thing going Erzumah flashes me a smile on like the supermodel Alek intend to get while she carries on chatting Wek but without the attitude. on the phone. I move some If a woman can be charming married or not. ❞ fabrics to one side and I sit on then Erzumah is charming and a blue two-piece sofa and wait elegant. She radiates an inner HIGH END designs for my second audience with stillness that attracts people are worth paying for the queen of African fashion to her. in the UK.

CROPTOP from BESTOW ELAN #12 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #13 MENSWEAR is now big business ❝Erzumah has diligently built up a loyal following of women who are not afraid to experiment with colour or textiles.❞

(Continued from page #13) Boohoo, Missguided and Asos ramped up the product range “I think every women thinks and at the same time they about that special day, pushed down the price to shift immaterial of whether they their fast fashion lines. The intend to get married or not. I big online fashion stores have will definitely design my dress been a boom for shoppers but if I choose to get married one bad news for the high street day,” says Erzumah. and independent fashion Seven years ago Erzumah designers. attracted international attention Erzumah is now working on when she was selected to a new strategy to cope with represent the Ghanaian the big boys. She is planning diaspora at the glamorous to return to selling mainly off Arise Magazine fashion show. line and focusing more on Mum of one was competing menswear, bridalwear and for the first time with 50 of the of course on womenswear. world’s best African designers In other words Erzumah is in 2011. returning to her high end “There was a selection process fashion roots. so I was so happy to be “Having sold my products on selected,” she says humbly. an online platform for last 6 Erzumah has won celebrity years, I have decided to take approval from the likes of the brand offline and align it Thandie Newton but she would with what I think is the correct love to dress Tracy Ellis Ross market for my designs. “I would love to dress Tracy “It was nigh impossible to Ellis Ross, simply because create fast fashion without the she’s so fly and is shaped infrastructure to compete with like a real woman,” replies the big brands. I would need a Erzumah. large amount of investment to do so properly. I’m so excited As a little girl Erzumah always to see where the path leads to wanted to be a fashion next - new beginnings are not designer and got inspired by to be feared, but embraced, ” glossy women’s magazines. Erzumah says firmly. “My older sister always Many independent designers bought Ebony magazine and would have put away their Essence,” calls Erzumah. sewing machines by now A few years ago many but not the queen of African independent fashion designers fashion in the UK. Erzumah is launched online boutiques and reorganising to return as a high placed their garments with end fashion label and you can other small online retailers. be sure that she will make a Erzumah took the plunge too. success of her new venture. Things were going well for awhile for many independent designers then one day the big guns arrived on the scene.

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#16 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #17 BREXIT Will Open the Door for British Citizens to Become Nurses NHS hospital trusts are crying out for newly-trained nurses in all fields

FOLLOWING THE referendum NHS hospital trusts are crying of nurses reported feeling that Yes there’s still racial vote to leave the European out for newly-trained nurses they were under too much discrimination present in the Union in 2016, many EU in all fields like adult, child, pressure at work. health service and studying as citizens living in the UK have mental health, disabilities a nurse can cost up to £50,000 Record numbers of stressed reported increased open and Midwifery. but the benefits are now nurses are leaving the NHS hostility toward them. And as becoming clearer. Theresa May’s government and others are going sick a result of lingering hostility has been accused by some because of huge pressure on The government withdrew the towards them and a lack of an universities hospital wards. bursaries for people to train early guarantee from Theresa of reneging as nurses under public sector May to EU workers about their ❝NHS hospital The government on promise to spending cuts a few years rights to stay in the UK after is now trying to fund 10,000 ago. Now people wanting to March 2019, some EU workers trusts are crying tackle the crisis extra nursing become nurses have to pay have already decided to return within the NHS bursaries. out for newly- for their tuition. home. There’s a growing by offer health shortage of workers in health David Green, trained nurses workers a 6.5% Nursing graduates earning and social care sector across vice-chancellor pay rise over the above £21,000 only start the UK. The NHS is crying out of Worcester in all fields.❞ next three years. repaying their student loan for trained workers. We report University, Most NHS trade which is taken out of their pay on how you can now find gainful one of the leading institutions unions have accepted the offer. packet each month. And on employment within the NHS for nursing, speaking to The this level salary they will be Both the Conservative Guardian Newspaper said: repayment just £5.25 Health organisations have found Government has announced “I don’t believe the policy per month. that almost 10,000 EU workers a real terms increase of 3.4% intention with scrapping have quit the health service in NHS funding over the next More importantly there are job bursaries was to expand since the Brexit referendum 5 years and the Labour Party vacancies available for newly places; I think it was just to result. There was something plans to go further if it is elected. trained nurses unlike for other save money. The fact that like 80,000 unfilled vacancies graduates and the way things training placements haven’t Since the creation of the across the NHS between are going these jobs will be increased shows there was no National Health Service in January and March 2017. secure into the future. plan to increase numbers.” 1948, people have seen Speaking about the latest poor the NHS as offering secure A recent survey, conducted by set of results Danny Mortimer, employment opportunities with the Institute for Employment chief executive of NHS good pension schemes. Studies on behalf of the Royal Employers, said: “The analysis College of Nursing, found For the first 30 years of the by the King’s Fund reinforces that most nursing staff (63%) life of the NHS, a large part of other analysis, which shows a feel that they are too busy to its staff came from the West decline in nurses entering the provide the level of care they Indies, Africa and Asia but later workforce and an increase in would like, up from 40 per cent generations have been put off the rate of leavers.’’ in 2007. The same percentage from working in hospitals due All gay and bisexual men should test for HIV at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual to racism and poor pay. men should consider gettingtested more often, for example, every 3 to 6 months. Early diagnosis of HIV enables better treatment for you andreduces the risk of transmitting the infection to others. www.forfamilies.uk #19 SOCIAL CARE IS CHANGING Talk to us! It’s time to reassess whether or not you could help be part of the Do you want to help shape health and change and at the same time secure a long term future for yourself

social care services? SOCIAL CARE providers Judge Neil Ford QC said there Sharon Allen the chief as worries that the use of Any problems with your GP? are crying out for more was a “culture of cruelty” at the executive of Skills for Care agency workers was affecting British workers to replace care home. Six out of 11 care Group added: “Every worker continuity of care. We are anindependent charity that Had a bad experience in a hospital? those European care workers workers who admitted a total of in adult social care should Age UK has long called for that have decided to head 38 charges of neglect or abuse know what is expected of collects your stories and shares them with Is your carer not turning up on time? training of care workers. A back home. of patients at a private hospital them”. spokewoman said: “We also those who can make improvements to your were jailed. Five other workers Anything else? Over 90,000 EU citizens work Four years later the picture still need to make sure that from Winterbourne View near local services. in the adult social care sector not much improved. Forty- people with the right values Bristol were given suspended and since the Brexit vote three local Healthwatch reports are recruited into caring sentences after the acts of We would love to hear from you! European workers have been in 2017, raised concerns roles and that they remain abuse were uncovered by BBC leaving in their droves. about staffing, including supported by a system that We want to hear from you! Panorama. staff numbers, turnover, and values and rewards the Share Your Stories & Contact Us: Call us 020 8373 6283, text on 07376 550 116 or Social care providers have After so many scandals in appropriateness of staff important work they do.” always struggled to recruit e-mail us at info@healthwatchen eld.co.uk the care sector the then care training, as well [email protected] workers but now the situation minister Mr Lamb called for is getting acute. www.healthwatchcwl.co.uk training for adult care workers. UK’s aging population is Mr Lamb said: “I want putting increasing pressure 020 8969 7049 minimum training standards on the social care sector. The to apply across the board. number of people age over “This is often quite intimate 65 is projected to increase by Help us make things better for you! care: dressing someone, Charity No: 64% in 2032, and 85 year olds getting them out of bed, in the UK are going to be the bathing them, so this is 1154777 fastest growing group. really important.” In recent years adult social care has been hit by series

EnfieldHWAFHMag2.indd 1 03/02/2017 12:40:49 of scandals. The general public were shocked at the ill treatment meted out to frail & elderly people at the hands J.H. Hart Company of care workers SOLICITORS Greenwich The Winterbourne View We are an independent consumer case saw care workers Strongly rooted in the Upton Park champion for health and adult social jailed for appalling care services including doctors, hospitals, treatment of patients. community for decades, and our team dentists and care homes.

of experienced solicitors specialise in: We give you a powerful voice in influencing the delivery and design ● of local services. Wills Listen to your views and hear your experiences. Visit services and talk to people. CARE WORK ● Probate is changing to Inform decision makers and commissioners. coping with the Provide information and signpost people to services. ● LPAs and Court of Protection growing demand ● Residential Conveyancing Represent local residents, patients and service users. for adult social care ● Commercial Property ● Landlord and Tenant ● Civil Litigation Here for Everybody For all enquiries please visit our website: Help us to improve health and social www.jh-hart.co.uk care services in Greenwich. Call us on: 020 8472 2652 Gunnery House, 9–11 Gunnery Terrace, Woolwich, SE18 6SW or email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8301 8340, www.healthwatchgreenwich.co.uk 15 Plashet Grove, Upton Park, London E6 1AQ Twitter: @HWGreenwich, email: [email protected]

#20 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #21 The National Audit Office The Chancellor said: “The “The NHS is now in a Robots can easily replace estimated that there were 1.34 long term challenges of position to make long-term manufacturing jobs but they million people working in adult sustainability funding care plans based on a long-term can’t replace care workers jobs social care in the UK. NAO also in older age requires a funding solution. Social care in the short term. Now that estimates that there was a job strategic approach, and the can do neither.” Britain is leaving the EU and vacancy rate of 6.6% across government will set out its leaving the single market it The pressure for change the care sector in 2016-17. thinking on the options for can’t rely on cheap labour from in social care has become the future financing of Social the Eastern European states While many people working in unstoppable. The sector is Care in a Green Paper later like Poland. Britain has no social care find it rewarding, undergoing massive change this year.” choice but to invest in British there is widespread agreement and thus it’s the right time to workers and the social care that workers feel undervalued The Green Paper has been enter the sector. sector is at the top of the list. and that there are limited delayed causing outrage in the Training is now high up on opportunities for career social care sector. There are now great the agenda for improving progression, particularly opportunities for people to Glen Garrod, president of the social care and to compared with similar roles develop success careers in the Association of the Directors of professionalise the sector. in health. In 2016-17, around forthcoming newly reformed Adult Social Services, said to With increased training and half of care workers were paid British social care sector. the Public Finance website: responsibilities comes with it £7.36 per hour or below (the “The decision to delay the increased pay and conditions. National Living Wage was social care green paper caps £7.50 in 2016-17), equivalent If people are kind, thoughtful off a disappointing few days to £14,625 annually. This, and have a genuine interest for everyone involved in along with tough working in older people then there is a social care. conditions and a poor image, bright future in the sector. prevents workers from joining “With a delayed green paper Pay rates will have to start and remaining in the sector the and no additional funding, going up if society wants to NAO’s report concluded. the brutal reality is that older create a better social care and disabled people, and their Everyone agrees that the state sector in time for more than 2 families, are struggling now.” of social care in the UK isn’t million people needing care in sustainable and things are the near future. only get worse as the number of people requiring social care explodes.

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#28 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #29 FOSTERING BEFORE YOU ADOPT Adoptive parents COULD BE THE WAY FORWARD needed.... People must be aware of the roller coaster ride Your borough needs adoptive parents for children aged 4 years plus; It is involved with taking part in this new scheme a sad reality that children as young as 4 are not being given the same FOSTERING TO adopt isn’t children going before the courts. For the first four months of poor Jude had to travel for Change a child’s life without its own risks but for A tiny child could be placed with fostering Jude, he had contact nothing, which made us opportunities as babies and toddlers. some would-be adopters these them at short notice. with his birth parents three angry,” says Richard. and foster today early permanence schemes times a week. During that time It’s essential for would- can be a blessing for new he was unsettled because These children are also often adopters to get as much The London boroughs of Havering, parents hoping to accelerate it was difficult to establish a information about the child likely to be in sibling groups, have their chance of receiving their routine. It was a stressful time. Tower Hamlets and Waltham forest they are going to be fostering. additional needs or be from a black potential adoptive child. We Sometimes the parents did Their social worker can only tell are recruiting foster carers who are investigate the not turn up for contact and and minority ethnic background. them so much key issues energetic, passionate about children ❝I think about the child and can offer a stable, loving For further information - Government and his/her birth thinking about both FTA and parents and and supportive home. www.eastlondonadoption.org.uk how children family as other BABIES should be treated adoption come information ARE MORE To support you through the fostering in local authority is likely to be likely to process we offer comprehensive care has evolved with some risk, restricted by be involved over the past the court. in local training, 24 hour support and decade. Foster to authorities’ in one way or While the court Adopt is one of Foster-to- financial payments. decide on the government’s Adopt scheme whether or not newest initiatives another.❞ to avoid to return the We need your help, especially to speed up long term looked after child to its parents, if you would like to care for; the decision making process damage to the child is cared for by the determining the future of vulnerable •School aged children adopters under the scheme. vulnerable children in public children •Sibling groups care. This can be difficult for the would-be adopters to •Children with disabilities Under the Foster to Adopt cope with as they are scheme would-be adopters are trying to establish a required to seek clearance to bond with the child even adopt and foster. Once they though the child can be have been approved they can returned to the parents. www.havering.gov.uk/fostering then join the scheme. Also the parents have www.fosteringwalthamforest.co.uk There are clear risks for people the right to see the www.fosteringandadoption.co.uk who going down FtA route. child during the And some critics of the scheme court proceedings. believe that the government Richard and Nicola is playing on the emotions of adopted their second people wanting to become child, Jude, as a parents. If would-be adopters baby via the fostering find themselves in this situation for adoption scheme they need to have their eyes through Derbyshire wide open. County Council. “I think both FtA and adoption “Instead of come with some risk, in one Jude going way or another. But if it’s into a foster important to you and you want home after he the experience of bringing up was born he your child from a tiny age, it’s came straight definitely a risk worth taking,” to us. We says a contributor writing on were paid an mumsnet.com allowance to Once foster-to- adopt carers foster him. have been approved to take part in the scheme, their social worker will keep them informed about potential looked after care

www.forfamilies.uk #31 Professionals in the sector the extra mile to explore with “The court process seemed just after his first birthday, the claim that there’s a higher these babies’ extended birth slow and was not without its adoption order was made,” chance that courts are more families if there’s any possibility ups and downs, court dates says Richard. likely place babies up for for them to take the children. being put back. The debate around where adoption than return them to If all else fails Normally parent’s rights to be parents their birth parents. then the court adopters do and the rights of the child to make the ❝The court Sarah Callaghan, Kirklees not get to know grow up in a warm and caring order for these Council’s Director of Children’s all this and we home if not perfect is alive. YOU Can Foster vulnerable process seemed Services, said: “Fostering felt that we children to be People believe that parents do for Adoption is a national got to know a adopted. The slow and was not have a right to be experience scheme and since it was lot about birth with Five Rivers Child Care process can parenthood and do have rights introduced, Kirklees Council parents during take weeks without its ups over their children but the has successfully placed 13 that time which and even tragic case of six-year-old Ellie For an informal chat about children with loving families we hope will months and and downs, court Butler seems to support the who are now reaping the help in the all the while state’s hard line approach. benefits of being placed future when we how to have a valued career the potential dates being put with their adoptive parents tell Jude his In 2012, Mrs Justice Hogg in adoptive at the earliest opportunity. adoption story. the family division of the High as a foster carer, please call parents are back.❞ We currently have seven Court ruled that little Ellie must growing close “At last, when babies coming in to our be returned to her mother and and close to the child that they Jude was 10 months old, the care for whom Fostering for father Ben Butler even though might have to give up. court made a placement order. Adoption has been identified her grandparents had been 02035 532048 We went to panel and became as an appropriate plan. These looking after her due previous Jude’s adopters. Ten children are highly unlikely episodes of Ben shaking weeks later we applied to live with their birth families Ellie as a baby. The local to the court to so we urgently need suitable authorities protested and the Please contact Five Rivers if you are adopt him families who can offer them grandparents also protested to and finally, permanency. judge but to no avail. Ellie was interested in fostering or currently do returned to her parents and “There would be very within a few short weeks Ellie’s so – we offer dedicated 24/7 support, definite advantages to father battered her to death. placing these babies training and good remuneration early on. It would avoid Maybe for the sake of children, any issues caused by society has to act with caution terminating temporary and in so doing place greater foster care placements importance on protecting and would allow the early children. months and years of Babies are extremely their lives to be what most vulnerable and the government children need and expect. is determined to give looked In turn, prospective after children the best possible adopters can establish start so the scheme Foster-to- bonds and provide Adopt looks like it’s here to stay. a loving family at the Five Reasons to Foster with Five Rivers earliest possible stage.”

These babies that come 1 You will become part of a local community of foster to the attention of local families supported by experienced fostering support staff. authorities are often coming from chaotic homes. These 2 You are passionate about changing lives and unlocking babies’ parents are the true potential of children and young people. struggling with drugs and alcohol issues. 3 You know that giving a child the stability and warmth of The authorities go family life is the most rewarding thing you can do. 4 You have the energy and space in your life to share with a child and make a positive and lasting difference. 5 You were always going to foster one day - one phone call can make it happen. Image by Chris Benson

Email: [email protected] www.five-rivers.org/fostering

#32 www.forfamilies.uk My name is Work from home. Hanora McCool. Follow one of our Be a foster carer. DO SOMETHING I am 61 years old •Anetworkof fostering peersand carers, Hanora, and a mother of professionalsisalwaysthereto help five children and six and adviseyou. on the fast track grandchildren aged • Free training in fostering skillsand higher related qualificationsis WONDERFUL TODAY from six to 21 years ongoing. to fostering and with two more on • You arepaid a weeklyfinancial the way. allowancefor thechild(ren), plusa Children in public care from African and Caribbean fee for yourself. I have been a Foster Carer for 28 • You need a spareroom in your yearsand have fostered 194 children. home, and parenting or childcare communities are officially classed as ‘harder-to-place’ I have been approved to care for experience. three children from 0 to 11 years. DAVID CAMERON declared and specific training for BME It isthe most rewarding job I have The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, the ever done, and even though it can that his government would applicants in order to find more Royal Borough of Kensington shake up the adoption system black parents. be hard workand often challenging, and Chelsea and Westminster to ensure that more children I couldn’t imagine doing anyother City Council have agreed to offer a council tax grant asan would get adopted by doing ‘Some children really struggle job. with growing up in public care. incentive to those who become away with some rules. I have attended manytraining foster carersand who are One African-Caribbean boy coursesand have completed my living in one of the three boroughs. Six years later, Cameron is was fostered 46 times by the Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. I have no longer around and the age of 18 before ending up in also received excellent support from Foster carersplay a vital role picture for African and African- youth prison. The community mysupervising social worker and my in our communitiesproviding has a responsibility to support extended family. I would saythat loving and supportive homes for our children and young these children,’ asserts having a good support networkis people. ❝120 black or Sundjata Keita essential. black British Mrs May’s government is having another crack at trying children were to get the system working for looked-after children and has launched review. adopted in Freephone 0800 169 3497 Telephone 020 8753 1057 [email protected] ‘Putting Children First: 2015/16❞ delivering our vision for excellent children’s Caribbean children in public social care’ is the name care is not much better than of the government’s back in 2012. latest initiative. According to the government’s Let’s hope this official figures 90 black or black time more British looked-after children looked-after you can were found permanent new children from homes in 2012 or 3 per cent of African and the total number of all children Caribbean approved for adoption that communities offer a year. In 2015-16, only 120 will find new black or black British children permanent were adopted or 2 per cent of loving homes. the total. brighter The Cameron government DATA introduced ‘colour blind’ Latest available adoption where social workers on BAME children future with no longer had to seek an ethnic in public care. ‘match’ between the child and the potential new adoptive adoption parents. ‘Colour blind adoption has not boosted the number of African Visit us to find out more about howyou could make a or African-Caribbean children being adopted. It remains difference to the life of a vulnerable child through adoption. around 2-3 per cent of the total,’ says Sundjata Keita the chair of The Afrikan Family Works. December 7 | 6-8pm | COVO Connecting Voices | 12b Asylum Road | Peckham | SE15 2RL Some campaigners have been calling on the government to engage with the different BME communities. Provide more financial incentives 020 8668 2181 WWW.DIAGRAMACHILDREN.ORG.UK #34 www.forfamilies.uk Registered charity no. 1128532 A NEW CAREER IN LOVING AND A chance CARING FOR CHILDREN AWA I T S to play THERE’S A national shortage carers with £3,000 ‘golden Speaking to BBC News last ‘We see foster carers as part of new foster carers coming hellos’ and then selling back year Children and Families of the workforce,’ says Kevin again into the system in the UK. The the services of the same carers Minister Edward Timpson Williams, chief executive of country is crying out for big- back to the same councils. said, ‘As someone whose the Fostering Network charity. hearted and compassionate own family fostered for many ‘They are self-employed, but Association of Directors of Since adopting Ryan and Rhianna, people to come forward to years, I greatly value the vital by statute can only work for Children’s Services is calling just being outside is an adventure. professionally care for some contribution that foster carers one provider. It’s not a normal for a crack down on this type of the country’s most make to children’s lives and employment situation.’ We've played football, hide and of behaviour. vulnerable children. am committed to ensuring they seek, and we've found great places Last year around 60 foster receive the support they need. According to the government’s carers voted to unionise and for picnics! figures there is a chronic join the Independent Workers I wouldn't change it for the world. shortage of foster carers ❝Some local authorities are Union of Great Britain in a nationally. The number stands bid to improve their working at well over 9,000 too few offering up to £50,000 per conditions. Start your adoption story foster carers. In 2015/16 some 70,440 Visit: www.coramadoption.org.uk With an increasing number year for new foster carers❞ children were in public care of children coming into the and 74 per cent were placed Call: 020 7520 0383 or care system and no long term in foster care and every year A recent government review in ‘That’s why, following the Email: [email protected] strategy in place to deal with foster carers are retiring so to residential care found that recommendation made in the shortage of new foster carers the need for new foster in 2014/15, eight commercial independent review by Sir things are getting critical. carers is acute. fostering agencies made Martin Narey, we are launching Some local authorities like around £41m in clear profit. a national stocktake of This year is a good year for Southwark Council are fostering to better understand people to get trained up as Writing in the Guardian advertising allowances of current provision - including a professional foster carers Newspaper the CEO of TACT up to £50,000 per year for looking at the role fostering because social care for Andy Elvin said, ‘The fact that new foster carers and big agencies play.’ children is changing for the £41m of public taxpayers’ corporations have moved into better in the UK. money, allocated to support Some campaigners feel that snap up experienced foster children in state care, actually support for foster carers is The government’s review of carers with introductory offers. ended up in the pockets of a being overlooked. the whole sector is likely to Large private fostering Canadian pension fund and see foster carers as crucial to We urgently agencies are ‘poaching’ local some seriously rich capitalist driving improvements in the authorities’ experienced foster firms is obscene’. sector so things can only get need adopters better for them. Children of black or minority ethnic heritage often wait the longest for an adoptive family. Could you adopt?

Enquire today!

www.pactcharity.org 0300 456 4800 [email protected]

PARENTSAND CHILDRENTOGETHER

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e campaign called Each1Ask1 T agencies and not-for-profit ✔ in 2017. Establish a network for agencies to refer new people potential adoptive parents ‘Our aim is simple. We are interested in adoption or and foster carers going to contact everyone in fostering to them. our community to ask them if ✔ Establish an annual Get tested. Stay protected. they can adopt or becoming a conference on support for foster care professional,’ says Find out how at: looked-after children Sundjata Keita, the chair of StartsWithMe.org.uk The Afrikan Family Works.

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#38 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #39 TEENAGERS COMING OUT OF PUBLIC CARE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Housing for young people is in short supply and local authorities are looking for creative solutions to support youngsters coming out of public care Foster LEAVING HOME for the first really helps with being a care we take for granted – stability, Local councils are encouraging time can be daunting for any leaver,” says Shilla Zwizwai emotional support and the people to come forward to young person. It’s even scarier speaking to reesfoundation. security of a home. ease the pressure on social for for vulnerable teenagers. org blog. Developing a good relationship Government policy is Supported living carers are with a young person and increasingly recognising that assessed, vetted and trained seeing them gain independent ❝Social workers young people leaving public for the role. Most of the young living skills is very rewarding, care still need people are “says a supported lodgings will continue Bromley support and ❝£200 aged 16 to 21, provider for Southwark guidance right but in some Council. to support the into their twenties. exceptional Supported Every year thousands of cases some may young person in Can YOU keep these siblings together? Supported lodging young people leave public need support is a scheme lodging care around the UK, adding up to 24. Local your home.❞ where a mature pressure on the already over authorities are person or couple provider can sketched public housing sector. housing and in return they are hoping that the Help a Child with some life being paid around £200 per family-based Lodging for public care leavers 0208 461 7701 experience can be paid each week for people to offer their support for is a way of reducing the provide a room in spare rooms and support to young people pressure on the public sector. www.bromley.gov.uk/fostering Smile Again their home and on young people. week.❞ will help them top of that provide Youngsters need local people to develop the Taking on teenagers can’t be guidance to a teenager leaving to come forward to support confidence and capability to easy but if people like you have public care. them and guide them at a live independently. Young the will then local councils are very vulnerable time of If you think back to when people generally spend ready and will to work with you. their lives. you were a teenager you a maximum of two FREE CONSULTATION can understand some of the years living with 020 7760 7670 weightmedics.co.uk pressured faced by teens their carers. today. Identity and fitting in is a “Young people Prices big issue for most teenagers. Skills for life in care usually from “I’ve heard quite a lot of people have a history Young people may need saying that identity is about of being moved help with gaining practical Before £22 finding yourself, discovering around and often skills like: yourself, which I agree with lack the things  Using a bank account With 30 years experience, to a certain extent, but I Weightmedics have helped  also think it’s about creating Household budgeting thousands of patients to lose yourself. The reason for that  Buying and preparing food weight, therefore reducing their is I firstly identify myself as  Cleaning risks of developing type two a child of God and as I do diabetes, heart disease and obesity. that it reassures me that  Gardening I’m loved, I am who God Providing weight loss with a says I am, and that I  Simple DIY After difference, our programmes are led Robina can achieve whatever  Using public transport by doctors and nutritionists who lost I set my mind to. That specialise in weight loss. We 2.5 Stone  Organising leisure time prescribe medication to suppress appetite, block fat absorption and curb sugar cravings. SAVE 30% Est.1988 by Quoting FF2018 Regulated by the Care Quality Commission

#40 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #41 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IN THE NEWS FOR SEX TRAFFICKING

ALL THE WRONG Only three in OF AFRICAN GIRLS 100 children in care in England REASONS are offered a mentor INTO EUROPE The spike in knife THOUSANDS OF GIRLS and of lies, violence, coercion, young women are trafficked fraud, witchcraft and unrealistic and gun crime across out of West Africa each year dreams and promises of a ending up in Europe’s growing better life. sex trade. London is being It is claimed that 9 out 10 girls The number of girls and and young women working on Lampedusa Catania conducted by a small women caught up in human Europe’s streets are trafficked Island trafficking is so huge that this out of Edo State in Nigeria. Sabratha evil trade is finally coming to number of people There’s a great deal of youth the attention of international unemployment in the southern DIG A bit deeper into Russell, who was human rights organisations state and many families see the statistics on youth taken into care as and European authorities. offending and you will see a teenager and Chad that young people in care has spent time in According to the police in Italy ❝A long term are disproportionately a young offenders there are over 50,000 Nigerian Nigeria involved in crime. institution, told the girls and women caught up in solution must be BBC: “If I’d had the prostitution in Europe. A recent report found Edo support around me when State that less than 1% of ‘Just hearing the scale of found for young I was younger, I would children and young abuse going on, you would have stayed as smart and people are in public care think that more would be done people across Africa or sweet and innocent - but it but are overrepresented to prevent girls and young was the fact that I’ve built in offending data. Boys women ending up is this nothing will change. myself up with so much in public care or boys dreadful trade,’ says Sundjata anger. I’m not used to who have been in local Keita chair of The Afrikan More young people will anyone supporting me.” authority care account for Family Works. third of boys in custody Only three in 100 children Walk through the streets of just end and for girls they account in care in England are Qu�l�fie� S�h��� Te��h��� Italy’s capital city Rome or for 61% of girls in custody. getting the independent any major city in the country up back in Europe,❞ support that they may be With over 75 young at night and you will see entitled to by law. says Sundjata Keita people being killed hundreds of scantily clad the opportunity of sending through knife and gun Barnardo’s and the women standing on the side of their innocent daughters to Often it is a well-connected can also arrange a loan to crime over the last few National Independent the road. The majority of these either Lagos or to Abuja as a female figure called a ‘Mama’ cover the cost of travel. The months the public want to Visitor Development women are African, working as way out for the family. Some who will contact the family poor family see the generous know why there is such an Project revealed in a prostitutes. even dream of their daughters to say that she can arrange offer as a golden opportunity. increase in violent crime. recent study that two in The women find themselves travelling to Europe to bring housekeeping work or hotel three local authorities have on the streets through a series Youth workers point to back hard currency. work for their daughter and a waiting list for children cuts to youth services, in care to be matched with and youth centres an independent visitor. impacting on young In places where there people. The Police is no waiting list, these Federation claims that WIFREIGHT.com mentoring services are shipping to the Caribbean & beyond the increase in violence often little known or may crime is down to cuts in Offer: 30% O not exist at all. g this magazi F� police numbers, the lost (please brin ne to redeem) £5 of community policing Every child in care in Las� ����te R����i�n �� G��E & �-Lev�� OFF and the restrictions England has the right YOUR Up �o 50% OF� c�i�d ���� fo� S��g�� Mu�/Ful� ��m� S�u��n�� SHI FIRST* Manufacturers of Hand Made placed on the use of to an adult mentor who PMENT stop and search. ‘visits, befriends and We s����al��� i�: Gourmet Patties advises’ them, if it is in Mat�� En��is� S�i�n�� NOW DELIVERING Leading children charities their interests and these •11+ •SA�s •�C�E •�-Lev�� •P��ma�� •Sec����r� argue that children THROUGHOUT THE UK relationships could help and young people in prevent youth offending. Cal� �� n�� �or � ���e �s���s�e�t public care see the lack 0121 507 0660 mentors playing a round 020 7511 3353 0208 616 2526 [email protected] *FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY. TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY in offending. merittutors.co.uk | 54 Upton Lane, E7 9LN www.fenkyjanes.com

#42 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #43 Things are put in place for the repaying £30,000 to £50,000 girl go. working as a sex slave. Before the girls leave their Speaking on Edo Diaspora homes they have to visit a Question Time the lawyer ‘witchdoctor’ who will cast a Jennifer Obaseki said, ‘there powerful ‘Juju’ spell on them. are many routes out. Some Failure to pay off the debt could girls are taken north after Chad City Limits result in the unexplained death and through the Sahara. Many of themselves or their loved girls are raped along the way ones as a result of disobeying and abused again once they the priest’s spell. Once under arrive.’ the spell the more unworldly Obaseki went on to say, ‘they girls are lost to the traffickers. have to work as sex workers With punishing rates of interest or in servitude until they can and lots of unjustified added move forward.’ costs a girl could end up ❝there are many routes out. Some girls are taken north after Chad and through the Sahara. Many girls are raped along the way and abused again once they arrive,❞ says Jennifer Obaseki

Some traffickers use false papers to get girls into UK and If You Know Europe and often extended Someone Held family members are involved. The trafficked boys or girls Against Their have to work as a ‘house boy’ or ‘house girl’ until the cost Will... of bringing them over is paid While grieving for her mother finally rescued when the police back. Many face long hours If you believe a person is who had just died, Melody was raided the brothel, and she was of work, inhuman conditions, being trafficked and is in tricked into coming to England brought to Unseen. immediate danger, you violence, abuse, rape and from Nigeria to search for her should call 999 straight torture. grandmother. On arrival, she In Italy the Catholic organisation away Caritas is on the frontline The human rights charity was met by a man who took rescuing women out of sex Unseen UK that works with her to a brothel and told her You can call Crimestoppers slavery and away from their trafficked people rescued she would work there until she anonymously on 0800 555 pimps and handlers. And the a young Nigerian woman repaid her flight ticket. Every 111 International Organization for recently. Unseen UK is protest from Melody increased You can also call the UK’s Migration helps trafficked people supporting Melody who was the debt she owed. 24/7 Modern Slavery to return home. Many young freed by the police recently. Hotline: 08000 121 700 Having suffered horrifically, women have returned after four years Melody was to Nigeria.

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During their sessions Mudchute’s work.They have a you will get chance to meet wonderful 32 acre site which and learn about some of their is open to the public and offers favourite farm yard friends as fantastic views across London. well as some of the slightly And where else do you get to more exotic residents now share your lunch with friendly calling the Urban Farm home. fur and feathered creatures. If you ever wanted to get close Pier Street, Isle of Dogs to a cuddly chick or meet a London E14 3HP loveable lamb this is the place mudchute.org to be. Faggs Road, Feltham, Hackney City Farm Middlesex TW14 0LZ SERVING THE CARIBBEAN SINCE 1929 For over 20 years, Hackney hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk City Farm has been giving ON MOST FARMS you can find sheep, donkeys, ponies, goats, rabbits and hens and much more the local community the Vauxhall City Farm CALL US ON 020 7476 0154 opportunity to experience Vauxhall City Farm is the farming right in the heart of the most centrally located farm in e.... city. The Farm offers children London. It is free to access and n lin and adults the opportunity open Tuesday-Sunday. bea to get up close to a range of Since 1977, the farm has rib farmyard animals; see, smell strived to provide for its local Ca and plant vegetables and other community and going from he food plants; and learn new strength to strength. T skills to live a healthier, happier The farm to provide life with a lower environmental educational, recreational and impact. therapeutic activities that. 1a Goldsmiths Row, 165 Tyers St, Lambeth SE11 5HS London E2 8QA vauxhallcityfarm.org hackneycityfarm.co.uk Spitalfields City Farm Deen City Farm The farm offers many An urban farm with an opportunities to engage with. 10th Year Anniversary Discount PACKAGING COLLECTION RELOCATION SHIPPING educational focus in the heart Daily volunteering is possible of the London Borough of if you want to get involved for all 2018 Functions working with animals and Merton. The farm teaches the (T&C apply) ANTIGUA BARBADOS DOMINICA GRENADA JAMAICA MONTSERRAT local community about the rural helping out in the gardens. ST LUCIA ST VINCENT TRINIDAD ST KITTS GUYANA environment and where their Buxton Street,, London E1 5AR, food comes from. The farm spitalfieldscityfarm.org plays host to a huge range of activities and events; providing Surrey Docks Farm educational visits to schools, A working community farm TO BOOK ONLINE OR VIEW OUR SAILING riding lessons for people of in Rotherhithe that aims to all levels, holiday schemes educate local people about working in the farm yard and where their food comes from SCHEDULE VISIT WWW.JPSHIPPING.CO.UK much more. and promotes getting active 39 Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey outdoors. EMAIL [email protected] LONDON SW19 2RR They sell eggs, meat, fruit and deencityfarm.co.uk vegetables through their farm 0207 473 4455 shop. www.impressionev.com [email protected] MEMBERSHIP 2338 MEMBERSHIP 0050261 Rotherhithe Street SE16 5ET surreydocksfarm.org.uk Milner Road | Westham | London | E15 3AD www.forfamilies.uk #47 Skeltons Lane Park and has The farm is all about providing been a feature of community the local community with life in Leyton for over 20 years. access to animals in a Along with a range of animals countryside oasis that provides CULTURE including sheep, donkeys, a unique learning experience. ponies, goats, rabbits and hens It is suitable for all ages but we offer a range of farm based especially young children. learning activities for the wider Main entrance - Stansfeld Road community. Beckton E6 5LT FOR FREE Skeltons Lane Park, Leyton E10 5BS newham.gov.uk brooksfarm.uk Crystal Palace Park Farm Lee Valley Park Farms The farm has meet and greet THIS AUTUMN Set in leafy Essex, is a great sessions, where the children Image by Jarren Simmons day out! Kids will get to explore can meet, look at and touch We have 15 free hot the great outdoors and meet some of the animals, including farmyard friends along with the usual farm animals, such exhibitions to check Kentish Town City Farm on a derelict site bombed in more exotic animals like our as goats, chickens, Shetland World War II, originally called The farm is situated on a four- mischievous Meerkats. Let ponies and pigs, rodents, such Stepping Stones Farm. acre site, alongside two railway their imagination (and their as rabbits and guinea pigs and out around London exotics, such as reptiles. lines in Camden. It has sheep, This year the farm will be legs) run wild in our indoor and Black Cultural Archives goats, ducks, chickens, geese, expanding as an acre of land outdoor adventure play zones. A visit to the farm is a great three horses, two donkeys, a used for Crossrail work will be Stubbins Hall Ln, Waltham way to introduce children to Expectations: The Neil Kenlock pig and a cow. There are animal returned to the Farm. The farm Abbey EN9 2EF new experiences, which aide Archive pasture areas, community is open six days a week and is lvfarms.co.uk in building confidence and Come and experience the first gardens and a wildlife pond, free to enter. physical skills. ever photography exhibition MEET the incredible dinosaur specimen, the most intact Stegosaurus fossil ‘takeover’ at the Black Cultural skeleton ever found. Natural History Museum’s dinosaur gallery is so much fun plus a riding arena. Stepney City Farm Freightliners City Farm Capel Manor College Archives using photographs 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Stepney Way, London E1 3DG The farm’s gardens grow food Crystal Palace Park Farm taken by Neil Kenlock. Known with Nelson at the Battle of Road, London NW5 4BN stepneycityfarm.org for the Strawbale café and Ledrington Road SE19 2BS Museum of London Natural History Museum for his captivating work focus- Trafalgar, 1805. Developed ktcityfarm.org.uk to demonstrate food-growing capel.ac.uk Meet the museum’s incredible ing on key moments in post Docklands with John’s descendants and Brooks Farm techniques in an urban space. dinosaur specimen, the most Windrush Britain, Kenlock’s Discover how the trade in using over 40 years of family Stepney City Farm Part of Capel Manor College, is Belmont Children’s Farm intact Stegosaurus fossil skel- Visitors are encouraged to powerful Expectations exhibi- enslaved Africans and sugar research, the performance will Residents in London’s East one of London’s key places to Come along at 10 am every eton ever found. At three me- explore the gardens, pick up tion is no exception. shaped London. The museum’s take you on a journey through End got together in 1979 study land based courses. morning and meet the farm tres tall and almost six metres tips on food growing and find building is central to this story. the museum, from Nelson’s to set up a community farm Brooks Farm is situated in lovely herd of jersey cows Windrush Square long, it’s a dramatic welcome to out about seasonal produce. Brixton SW2 1EF It was built at the time of the Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shoni- and their calves. During Earth Hall. Their potager garden models blackculturalarchives.org transatlantic slave trade, to bare MBE, to the Nelson, Navy, this session the keeper will food growing alongside shrubs store the sugar from the West There you can feel the drama Nation gallery. explain to you a little about the and flowers, to create an Indian plantations where of our planet. Surrounded by dairy industry and talk to you Cuming Museum Park Row, Greenwic SE10 9NF ornamental kitchen garden. enslaved men, women and a celestial map on the gal- about the lives of the cows at The museum comprises the rmg.co.uk Heritage fruit trees line the children worked. lery walls, explore gems and Belmont Farm. It’s an amazing worldwide and local collec- walk to the paddocks. No.1 Warehouse minerals, including a piece of time to learn a little more tions of the Cuming family, The Photographers’ Sheringham Road N7 8PF an extensive art collection as West India Quay E14 4AL moon rock. The escalator takes about cows, and where your museumoflondon.org.uk Gallery freightlinersfarm.org.uk well as local and social history you through a giant metallic Milk comes from, and if you Silver Lake Drive is a major object collected since the early globe to the upper Red Zone are lucky you may even get a new exhibition marking the first Newham City Farm 19th century right up to today, National Gallery galleries. Quality Childcare slobbery kiss from a cow. mid-career survey of American The farm opened in 1977 and reflecting Southwark’s rich and This year’s exhibition takes Cromwell Road SW7 5BD The Ridgeway NW7 1QT photographer and filmmaker, is home to a large collection diverse history and its unfold- you on a magical odyssey of nhm.ac.uk We provide high belmontfarm.co.uk Alex Prager. of farmyard favourites such ing story. creativity, encountering women quality early as cows, horses and sheep - of power and mythical and National Portrait Gallery Tracing Prager’s remarkably 5 Ethel Street SE17 1NH rich career over the last ten alongside some less familiar magical sea creatures along The BP Portrait Award is the years, enabling southwark.gov.uk years and taking place over animals such as alpacas, birds the way. most prestigious portrait paint- each child to two gallery floors, the exhibition of prey and turkeys. There are ing competition in the world Hackney Museum For the 23rd annual Take One encompasses over 40 pho- achieve their full also many smaller animals and represents the very best in Learn about the fascinating Picture exhibition, primary tographs including her trade- such as rabbits, guinea pigs contemporary portrait painting. potential stories of people who have schoolchildren have responded mark, large-scale Technicolor and ferrets. You can go and see how this moved to Hackney and made to Pintoricchio’s Penelope with photographs alongside her contemporary art form is devel- it their home, from Anglo-Saxon the Suitors. complete film works. oping in the 21st century. settlers to early Victorian villas Prager’s distinctive works From studies in portraiture and and recent refugees. St. Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE cross the worlds of art, fashion, printmaking to flag designs Discover this diverse and npg.org.uk photography and film, expos- Age range: and depictions of voyages, the changing history through ing the human melodrama and 6 months–4yrs exhibition celebrates the work fascinating interviews, objects National Maritime dark unsettling undercurrents 15hr Free Learning for 2–3yr olds of children from 27 schools and images, listen to personal that are threaded through her Up to 30 hrs Free Learning for 3–4yrs across the UK. Museum stories of living, working and Join the museum each Satur- subject matter. moving to Hackney or join in Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN day to meet a different charac- 16 - 18 Ramillies Street CALL NOW! spaces available... with events and activities and nationalgallery.org.uk ter from history with their own London W1F 7LW share what Hackney means fascinating story to tell about thephotographersgallery.org.uk Tel: 020 8889 4222 to you. our collections. Email: [email protected] Ground Floor John Simmonds (1783–1858), Technology and Learning Centre was a black sailor who served 30 Hornsey Park Road London, N8 0JP 1 Reading Lane E8 1GQ

Image by Annie Spratt Image by hackney.gov.uk #48 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #49 Science Museum serpentinegalleries.org V&A Museum of Childhood holidays there are additional events to inspire families How do today’s scientific Century of the Child: Nordic and to get involved. The discoveries shape tomorrow’s South London Gallery Design for Children 1900 to ever-changing programme world? Get the scoop on the The South London Gallery Today explores the influences (SLG) presents Brazilian artist which have helped forge is designed for all ages and LONDON’S most surprising science stories encourages play and learning and the biggest breakthroughs Luiz Zerbini’s first major solo Nordic design and examines through the diverse V&A in the museum’s Tomorrow’s show in the UK. Large-scale how children have inspired collection and temporary World gallery. figurative canvases, recent some of the century’s exhibitions. Tomorrow’s World brings you abstract paintings and a new most progressive designs, OPEN science news from every table installation are displayed architecture and literature. The Cromwell Road SW7 2RL angle—from headline-grabbing in the Main Gallery alongside exhibition borrows its title from vam.ac.uk gadgets to full-on feature film works and slide collages the ground breaking book, exhibitions on hot topics. in the First Floor Galleries. The Century of the Child by Wellcome Collection SPACES Come engage with cutting- The exhibition explores the Swedish social theorist, Ellen Collection is a free museum edge science, explore the evolution of Zerbini’s painting Key, first published in 1900. and library that aims to implications of new technology, technique and style over the Key envisioned that during challenge how we all think and EPPING FOREST and share your thoughts on past decade and offers offering the 20th century, children feel about health. Through is well known for its controversial issues. an insight into the breadth of would become the centre of exhibitions, collections, live huge, thick trees media he employs in other adult’s attention. Her ideas programming, digital, broadcast which are unique in Exhibition Road SW7 2DD the area sciencemuseum.org.uk aspects of his practice. on encouraging children’s and publishing, the Wellcome 65-67 Peckham Road SE5 8UH creativity, education and rights Collection creates opportunities Serpentine Galleries southlondongallery.org have permeated Nordic design. for people to think deeply about The exhibition explores the the connections between The Serpentine Gallery Tate Britain cultural exchange of ideas science, medicine, life and art. Pavilion commissioned the between the Nordic countries Mexican architect Frida Walk through time and explore 183-193 Euston Road NW1 2BE and Britain and the worldwide wellcomecollection.org Escobedo, celebrated artworks from 1545 to the impact of child centred design. for dynamic projects that present day. Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA Rooms at the Tate offer a Open House London reactivate urban space vam.ac.uk harnessing a subtle interplay chronological display of Visit London’s best buildings of light, water and geometry, Britain’s greatest artists, taken Victoria and Albert This year we have over 800 her atmospheric courtyard- from the collection. Instead buildings, walks, talks and based design draws on both of designated themes or Museum tours in the Open House Image by M L the domestic architecture of movements, the display is Families can enjoy free programme. View the full Mexico and British materials arranged by decade, so you activities and events at building listings, find out and history, specifically the can see an array of art made at the museum every day. At important info about the event If you want to get away from the polluted streets of London then Prime Meridian line at London’s any one moment. weekends, join in with Pop-up or plan your weekend by using Royal Observatory Millbank SW1P 4RG, Performances on Saturdays our top picks and themes. in Greenwich. tate.org.uk and making activities on www.openhouselondon.org.uk check out our pick of the spaces to visit this autumn Kensington Gardens W2 3XA Sundays. During the school Epping Forest Hainault Forest Country Park, a green oasis in the city, giving generated the park’s income in with its lake, petting zoo and you a taste of a country estate the past, survive to this day. This forest is of national and café, it’s a destination with with a glimpse of its agricultural A much-loved rural idyll, the international conservation FRIDA Escobedo at The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion this summer something to interest every and industrial history. park lies in a built-up area, importance and home to over family member. And it’s easily This tranquil former deer park and some of the surviving 50,000 ancient pollard trees accessible from London. is one of the few remaining estate buildings are used and 100 lakes and ponds. estates that used to line as workshops by local Open 365 days of the year. redbridge.gov.uk the River Wandle during its craftspeople and artisans. The forest is made up of industrial heyday. more than 50 distinct areas of Morden Hall Park nationaltrust.org.uk/morden- The river meanders through woodland, grassland and other A park at the heart of the hall-park the park creating a haven for habitats which, together, span community Morden Hall Park is wlidlife. The snuff mills, which 2,400 hectares from Manor Park all the way out to beyond Epping. Epping Forest recommends starting your visit at one of their visitor centres where they can help you start your day out with maps, travel information, nearby car parks, walking routes and ideas for things to do while you’re there. The forest is free to visit. visiteppingforest.org

Hainault Forest Country Park Once a hunting forest providing HAINAULT FOREST venison for the King’s table, was once a hunting this beautiful ancient woodland forest providing venison is home to a wealth of wildlife for the King’s table and plant species. Adjoining #50 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #51 QUEEN MARY’S South Norwood enter neighbourhood garden GARDEN is a that is open seven days a world-famous Country Park week, twelve months a year, garden named The park contains wild flower providing an oasis of plants, 1st Jollof Rice after the wife of meadows, wet land and lake, King George V connection to nature in the city viewing mound, new children’s and a community gathering Poetry Competition playground, pitch and putt. place for the people of this There’s also designated cycle dynamic part of Hackney. path (part of the Water Link Way) running through the park. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden The park’s main entrance off has more than 150,000 visitors Albert Road, extends as far as a year and is worth a look. Elmers End Road in the north dalstongarden.org east. The Tram service for the park stops at Harrington Walthamstow Wetlands Road - Route 2. The park is Walthamstow Wetlands is the approximately 125 acres. capital’s largest urban wetland Queen Mary’s Garden Roses are not the only There’s visitors centre nature reserve, providing A world-famous garden named treasure of the gardens. The croydon.gov.uk a special home to many after the wife of King George Delphinium border has full important wildlife species. The V. In 1932 when Queen Mary’s National Collection status. The Dalston Eastern nature reserve encompasses Gardens opened to the general The Mediterranean Borders Curve Garden 10 large reservoirs, which public, the first superintendent are well established, and deliver water to 3.5 million the Begonia Garden, with its An award-winning private Thames Water customers. planted a rose garden which garden located in the Hackney. was completed in 1934. 9,000 begonias, is twice yearly You can enjoy some peace planted with seasonal bedding. This garden used to be an old and quiet, while getting closer The rose garden is London’s railway line linking Dalston to nature and discovering largest collection of roses with Shrubberies are strategically Junction to the North London designed and located to add a the fascinating history of this approximately 12,000 roses Line that closed in 1944. The unique urban nature reserve. planted within the gardens. sense of mystery and privacy tracks were removed in 1965 to the gardens. You can also enjoy the There are 85 single variety leaving behind a sliver of hospitality of the café, situated beds on display, including one The rich sights and scents derelict land. The whole space in the Engine House Visitor which is home to our very own of these marvellous plants was boarded up, abandoned Centre. ‘Royal Parks’ rose. Examples play such an important part and left to become an urban Walthamstow Wetlands is of most rose varieties, from the in the delightful experience of wasteland until it was turned internationally important for classics to the most modern visiting Queen Mary’s Gardens. into a garden in 2010. wildlife, especially for migrating English roses, are present in Benches are available for Dalston Eastern Curve Garden waterfowl, which fly many the gardens. visitors to sit and enjoy the is a vitally needed public thousands of kilometres to get garden. green space in the heart of there. royalparks.org.uk one of the most built-up areas Free admission for all of London. It is a free-to- walthamstowwetlands.com

In celebration of West Africa’s Poems must not exceed 15 most popular rice dish the lines and should be a piece of For Families Magazine have original writing. launched the world’s first ever The winning poem will receive Jollof Rice Poetry Competition. £100 and a large 5Kg bag of Poems should focus on the rice. theme of Jollof rice whether it Three runners up will also is cooking or eating Jollof. receive 5kg bag of rice.

WIN THIS GREAT PRIZE NOW! Judging Poems: The For Families Magazine editorial team Submit to: [email protected] SOUTH NORWOOD is a large park in south London and is Entry: Free For more information contact: approximately 125 acres Closing date for entries: October 30, 2018 S&B Herba Foods Ltd. Tel: 01689 878700 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sbhf.com This competition is sponsored by Peacock Rice.

#52 www.forfamilies.uk www.forfamilies.uk #53 Not all Jamaican patties are made the same Birmingham’s very own product in order to boost their Fenky Janes is the UK’s grandmother’s traditional answer to Mary Berry of The profits. leading artisan Jamaican Jamaica patties. Great British Bake Off TV ‘We don’t have to use artificial patty maker. Hamilton makes ‘My dad was stirring the pot on show Sarah Jane Hamilton colours or preservatives. We handmade gourmet patties the stove, and mum was rolling is on a mission to improve don’t have to enhance our at her West Midlands bakery. pastry. We all had patties for the reputation of the classic pastry. We just use the best Chef Sarah fell in love with our tea and we loved them,’ Jamaican patty. ingredients possible because patties when one Saturday recalls Sarah. at age of 10 her dad decided Some patty manufacturers it’s all about patty love,’ Her dad went on to open a they would not make traditional are putting harmful says Sarah successful bakery and Sarah’s Saturday soup instead hydrogenated fats Jane Hamilton was trained up over many the family would make her and artificial the owner years to take over. colours in their of Fenky Janes. WIN Fenky Jane’s Patties What is Fenky Janes’ best selling patty? Saltfish & Callaloo Beef Mutton Chessy Beef Entry: free Prize: £30 Fenky Janes Voucher Email your answer to: [email protected] Closing date: October 30, 2018 OPRAH WINFREY HAD HER DNA TESTED So Can You For Free With the help of modern known as the mitochondrial Speaking about her result on technology African-Carib- DNA (mtDNA - which is passed African American Lives Winfrey bean people now have from mother to child unaltered responded to her results. the chance to find out for many generations) and “I’ve got to say, when it where their families then there’s the father’s line happened to me, it was are from in Africa. DNA known as Y-chromosomal DNA absolutely empowering to know tests can help people (Y DNA - passed down from the journey of my entire family,” trace their African ancestry. fathers to sons) Oprah said. Biologists have been All a person needs to do is We have teamed up with The studying genes for many take swab of saliva from his Roots for Real service based in years and can now trace or her mouth then send it off based in Cambridge, England people’s DNA back thousands to be tested for DNA in the lab. to offer one lucky person to of years. The geneticist then matches have both their mother’s and Back in 2006, the billionaire the person’s DNA with the father’s DNA tested. The prize media mogul Oprah Winfrey samples on file. is worth £390. had her DNA tested for the PBS show African American Lives. It turned out that her DNA had two main West African exact matches. She Competition Question was related to the Kpelle What year was system of slavery in the English people, who live in modern Caribbean colonies actually ended? day Liberia, and the Bamileke people in Cameroon in the 1834 1807 1888 same region. Entry: free People have two lines of DNA. Please send your answer to: [email protected] There’s a person’s mother line Closing date for entries: October 30, 2018

#54 www.forfamilies.uk Council ● Housing Association ● Private Landlord

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