We began October 2009 with a keynote presentation at the launch of Black History Month Trafford. Thank you to Annette Nelson and the team for inviting me, it was a great honour.
Launch of Mix-d: website
On the 2nd of Oct we launched our new website, Mix-d:
Over the past few months I have worked closely with web designer Steve Ireland, from Ivypark media. He has created in my opinion both an intelligent and beautiful site. There is still lots of materials to add and some tweaks to be made but the foundations are solid.
The re-brand and Mix-d: site has been a long time in the making but we feel it really captures where the discussion is going and more importantly puts the voice of young people back at the centre of the debate.
Our new site is much more image driven and we hope it shows how the project has grown and evolved. Over the coming months we will share our new additions with you.
Blog
This is a good opportunity to introduce a close colleague who I have worked with and respected for many years. Malcolm Evans earns his living with The Cultureship Practice corporate
culture consultancy and is currently completing his PhD. Since 2007 Malcolm has contributed massively to the development of the Mix-d: concept.
In the coming months he will play a key role in up dating our blog material. He has slipped smoothly into the role of Co-researcher for our The Multiple Heritage Research Arm which we are due to launch early next year. You are going to hear much more from Malcolm, but must send a big thank you to him for all his support and contributions to date.
Professionals workshop, Manchester
On the 6th we showcased the new site at our Mix-d: professionals workshop in Manchester. At the event we were proud to introduce Denise Williams, our keynote speaker and author of ‘Mixed-matters’ an educational manual looking at the experience of White/Black Carribbean students in the education sector. It is due out next year - we will post a blog to remind you.
Also speaking was Alexander Simon, our new recruit. She spoke about her experience of becoming a Mix-d: facilitator, why she felt this was an important topic and how she wishes to continue working with us over the coming years.
Professionals who attended the event came from many different backgrounds and raised a lot of useful comments. It turned out to be a great opportunity to share what we have leant and also created a space for professionals to share their concerns and understandings.
Mix-d: DVD
On Friday 9th we finally completed our Mix-d: DVD which recorded The National Mixed-Race Conference 2008, held last year in Trafford. This is available as promotional tool. Basically, its an opportunity for professionals to hear what the young people have to say and how our model works with student voice.
2nd Professional workshop, London.
On the 20th October we held our professionals conference in Barnet, North London. Among other professionals we had a number of foster carers at this event which added a very interesting dynamic to the overall discussion.
Primary school workshop
In the afternoon of the 20th I gave a presentation to 30 primary school teachers. This was a new area for me and really interesting to understand the needs of the primary sector and find some creative ways to support their students in the future.
New contract
On the 23rd I was over in leicester to meet Ruth Pickering. Leicester College were seeking an external consultant to work on a new and exciting short term project aimed at raising the success rates of dual heritage students in FE. This work is funded by the LSC. I was fortunate to get the contract and will be working with them until March 2010
Keynote
On the 29th Oct I gave a presentation at ‘Mixed-race, mixed-racism and mental health’ organised by ‘People in Harmony’ and CCC limited. It was an honour to speak along side:
Suman Ferdinand - European centre of Study of Migration and Social care
Dinah Morley - Mental Health and emotional well being: a study of mixed experiences
Melba Wison- national Mental Health Equalities Programme Leader
Yvonne Ayo - Systemic Therapy with families
Sharon Evans - The mixed-race couple experience - a personal perspective
A fascinating event looking which examined the disproportionate numbers of mixed-race people in the Mental Health Care System.
I would like to thank all the organisations who we have worked with over the last few months and all the professionals who attended our workshops in Manchester and London. Thanks again to Steve Ireland for creating a wonderful site and Malcolm Evans for his continued support and guidance.