A week of inspiration

Hello everybody

An uplifting start to the day

Celebrating Bi Visibility day

Having raised the flag on Bi-Visibility day on Wednesday, I headed over to Hove Junior School to meet staff and pupils and their energetic, committed and enthusiastic Head, Janis Taylor. Stunned by the artwork and creative writing on last terms theme of World War 1, I was also moved to tears by a Year 5 assembly that we joined. 

One of the pieces of art

Pupils sat cross-legged on the hall floor as they watched a video of Derek Redmond  at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics where he broke down in the 400 metres with a torn hamstring (or was it an Achilles)? But having crumpled to the ground, he pulled himself up and hobbled for the rest of the course, and was joined by another man from the crowd whom we later found out was his father. He offered a shoulder to support Derek on the agonising second half of his journey.  Janis and I were both quite as moved and inspired as the children, who saw a fantastic example of perseverance and of human support in the face of adversity. They learnt that the story ended with Derek Redmond being cheered by a stadium of 65,000 people, not for his failure but for his bravery and perseverance.  

Janis Taylor, head at Hove Junior school

My visit also took me into classrooms where this term’s schools topic, crime and punishment, was highly visible.This theme is taking the children into all sorts of research and creative learning. The children chose this topic themselves and I wonder if the opening of a number of classes on the Holland Road site in the old Hove Police Station played a part in their choice!  

Safe in the City

I chair the Safe in the City Partnership, which brings together all the organisations in the city who have a role in ensuring the community’s safety.  At our meeting this week we discussed action to prevent and disrupt Child Sexual Exploitation. We also learnt about an operation to tackle a group of young people who are having a criminal impact on the city centre; the results of which was one serious stabbing in the Pavilion Gardens over the weekend.  And at this meeting we also heard of the work going on to prevent young people being drawn into extremism. We hadn’t yet learnt of the sad death of one Brighton young person in Syria which was announced later in the week. The importance of our work with all communities, and particularly Muslim communities, to prevent young people being radicalised and taking themselves off to the immensely dangerous Syria, cannot be underestimated. Our hearts go out to the families of those affected and all those that are trying to prevent this happening.

Strike suspended

I am pleased to say that after much discussion an agreement has been forged with GMB which will see strike action suspended and a service review planned for our street scene services. The opportunity to look afresh at what we need to keep our city safe, green and clean in 2014 is one that I am very enthusiastic about. I hope that we will be able to involve staff, residents, members and learning from other places to inform this important piece of work. I also hope that our serious commitment to this will also lead to an ending of the work to rule which is affecting many of us. It’s highly likely that the review will lead to some changes and improvements. 

Your roadshow

And change and challenge will be one of the themes of the staff roadshows which are starting now and will be going on throughout October and across the whole council. There will be an opportunity for staff to meet their director, to celebrate achievements, to discuss the challenges of our financial situation and to participate in creative conversation about how we must change in the way that works with our partners and indeed our citizens. I encourage everybody to attend the roadshows and to take part in these important conversations. 

Shooting a video for the roadshows

Little Green Pig Writing project

On Thursday evening, at Jubilee Library myself, Pinaki Ghoshal, executive director of Children’s Services, and Denise D’Souza, executive director of Adult Services, were just three members of a good size crowd who joined together to hear about the exciting Little Green Pig Writing project. Inspired by an idea in America, and mentored by a similar project in Hackney entitled the Ministry of Stories, this project aims to provide creative writing opportunities for children age seven to 18. Shop premises on London Road will be opened before long and local author, Damian Barr, is patron of the project. 

Ben Payne and Damian Barr

Damian Barr, Ben Payne and Julie Watson

We heard from Damian and from Ben Payne of the Ministry of Stories as well as Julie Watson one of the co-directors of The Little Green Pig Writing project. But a highlight of the evening was an interview between Pete Lawson who writes for EastEnders and Eddie Chapple (age 10). They discussed one part of the project which has seen a group of children writing and filming a Brighton based soap opera.  This can be found on the website. Eddie’s enthusiasm and calm interview technique was truly impressive and the whole project is really inspiring. I would encourage you to find out more about it to think about ways that you might support it. Watch out for this becoming another fascinating facet of Brighton & Hove life.   

Pete Lawson and Eddie Chapple

Living Wall and a sunset

I haven’t time to talk about the Living Wall I spotted as I walked with Jason Kitcat to a meeting in London of South East Strategic Leaders to hear about innovation and Public Health.  

The Living Wall

And there is barely time to reflect again on a week of fantastic sunsets.

Another fantastic sunset

I will just end by saying that, while change and challenge are certainly the order of the day, my week has really been dominated by the inspiration of young people whom I have seen in a number of settings and who give me incredible heart for the future.

And finally, hot off the press, I am delighted to announce that Helen Gulvin has been appointed to the permanent post of assistant director in Children's Services. Thanks to everyone who took part in the two day process which culminated in formal interviews this morning and congratulations to Helen.

Have a good weekend.

Penny