NAPS and Home-Start pilot project a success
14 Nov 2006
Tuesday 31 October brought together an exclusive team of presenters and an audience of Home-Start volunteers and clients for a day of shared interest and information giving, funded by an ‘Awards for All’ grant. (powerpoint presentations are available to NAPS members within the website).
A packed room of women gathered for workshops and presentations, a really good interactive day thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Opening the conference, Leonie Akehurst, Home-Start Scheme Co-ordinator for South West Kent and Christine Baker, National Officer for NAPS made introductions and kicked off the event with a short quiz on menstrual health – great fun and a box of chocolates for the winning table.
Cathy Aiken, a Nurse Practitioner in a GP practice in Orpington, Kent, a nurse with special interest in women’s health, contraception and sexual health, gave a fascinating lecture on ‘Puberty to menopause: the reproductive years,’ a wide ranging subject that she comprehensively and professionally covered.
Family Planning Dr Janine Cooke, Lead doctor for Contraception and Sexual Health, South West Kent PCT, gave an overview on contraception ensuring wide audience participation resulting in a much broader understanding of the options available to women young and old! Lunch provided by local caterers ‘Perfect Platters’ was served to both delegates and children – thank you ‘Perfect Platters’ we really enjoyed the buffet.The afternoon session started with a strong presentation ‘What is stress’ from Janet Elgar, Public Health Promotion Specialist in drug abuse and sexual and mental health. Janet’s 45 minutes passed swiftly and with great interest from the audience.
Our ‘panel of experts’ comprising not only the days’ speakers but also Anuk Teasdale , Kenward Trust’s Outreach Worker and Lyn Rajan, a local registered Homeopath, gave the opportunity for everyone to ask questions and complete this successful day, just the beginning of what we hope will be a national project rolled out through Home-Start branches everywhere.
Thank you everyone for your input, the crèche staff who deserve medals and the conference facilities that provided a good local opportunity for us to get together.NB Kenward Trust is a community based organisation which aims to reach those experiencing problems connected with alcohol or drug abuse. www.kenwardtrust.org.uk
Lyn Rajan, registered homeopath www.hollyhillhomeopathy.co.uk
Perfect Platters, Tonbridge, Kent 01732 352748
