Child Protection - Training & Development session

Twenty staff and volunteers completed a one day basic awareness course on child protection and safeguarding on 11 May. Our facilitator for the day was Ethel McNeill from Children in Northern Ireland.

Ethel was able to share with everyone her professional training in social work and child protection. Staff and volunteers benefited greatly from the interactive nature of the training; each participant was given a work book to examine and debate various scenarios and exercises. This helped make the training interesting and relevant.

Many participants remarked on how different this training experience was in comparison to other training days on the subject matter. The group discussions and open forum helped everyone gain maximum benefit from the information and data which was expertly explained by the tutor.

Initial evaluation of the training would suggest that many of our volunteers would like follow up training on the subject and we intend to deliver this at a future date. Any of our supporters and benefactors who would like to take part in this training should get in contact with us to make further arrangements.

Crossfire Trust is fully committed to child protection and the safeguarding of all children who participate in the work and activities of the Trust and we are fully committed to the personal development of our staff and volunteers.

At the end of training we were delighted to formally acknowledge the birthday of one of our volunteers Audrey. Audrey was presented with cake and candles to mark the occasion and everyone joined in with a hearty rendition of that well known traditional song.

It is important that we recognise and reward our volunteers for the sterling work that they undertake in the Trust. Audrey is here every Thursday without fail demonstrating her immense talents in the kitchens of Darkley House making everything from delicious soups, stews and casseroles and of course,  “the best ever scones in the entire universe!”