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The Dove Uth Wing Report
The Big Lottery Young People’s Fund Dove Uth Wing was successfully launched at Sneyd Green Community Hall on Friday 29th January 2010. The service will run across Stoke-on-Trent for the next five years, and is aimed at those aged 10–18 years old.
The event was introduced by Chief Executive Dr. Simon Hankins and opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor of the city, Coun. Denver Tolley, who gave the service a warm welcome. Adding that the Dove Service was carrying out valuable work in the city, Coun. Tolley later joined one of the workshops discussing issues relating to emotional support for young people in Stoke.
Kay Price, Cluster 3 Manager, said she was amazed and delighted at the speed with which the Dove Service had grown. "We are working with the charity more and more each year and in all the time we have known them, the Dove Service has been superb".
Janet Warner, Head Teacher at Sandford Hill Primary School, told guests that the school had suffered a number of very difficult bereavements which had created a great deal of upset for both children and staff. "Even though we had no funds for counselling, Jill Jenner came to see me and said that the Dove Service was there at the end of the phone whenever we needed it".
She described the subsequent peer mentoring sessions delivered by Dove Service Counsellor Trainer Tracey Hewitt as "absolutely fantastic" with even shy children putting their hands up to talk about their serious concerns. Having the continuity of the same counsellor through several sessions had been important because the children appreciated that Tracey truly understood about their loss.
"I cannot thank the Dove Service enough for the support they have given us and to Kay and the Cluster for providing the funding. Our children going on to high school will still require the services of the Dove Service", said Mrs Warner to loud applause.
Presentations by Counsellor Trainers Ian Bradshaw and Isaac Oshoba revealed that in the first few weeks of the Dove Uth Wing project starting operations, demand had far exceeded expectations. "We are already running at some 160 sessions with young people", said Ian: "The Big Lottery Fund target is 225 sessions for the whole year".
Isaac said he commuted to work at the Dove Service in Stoke-on-Trent every day from Northampton. "I am very proud to be a part of the Dove Service", he said.
Members of Uth Speaks, our young person's advisory group, played an important part in the launch including a presentation given by Megan Davies and Emily Bard.
Another highlight was the release of eight white doves, provided by Janet Tittensor of Special Day Doves, from a basket outside the community hall, to symbolise the Dove Uth Wing project taking off.
The launch was co-ordinated and organised by Charlie O'Dell, Service Development and Delivery Manager (External Projects) with refreshments overseen by Counsellor Trainer Allan Morris who supplied his home-baked cakes!
The Dove Service will be providing peer mentoring training with a focus on grief and loss, training in subjects such as grief and loss, bereavement, listening, behaviour management, and emotional awareness, project awareness sessions, and one-to-one counselling in Schools, Colleges, Youth Clubs and with any other groups of 10-18 year olds that want our support.
Our vision, in collaboration with partners across the City, is to establish a sustainable network of Peer Mentor Teams within the City of Stoke-on-Trent, and train service provider professionals, so that together we can develop a level of self support for young people.
John Wright
Trustee
If you would like more information about the Dove Uth Wing Project please contact Charlie O’Dell at charlie.odell@thedoveservice.org.uk or on 01782 683155