SPA UK Sandesh 2016 | Page 21

someone in the audience asked ‘ what is grooming ?’, there was such a silence at the response that Tameside Branch Mahilas felt this needed to be addressed and therefore chose to include this subject as it also fitted well under the Cry for Help banner .
SPA Tameside branch with its team of volunteers worked tirelessly in preparation for over 10 months . The day started with welcome breakfast , Arti / Prathna / Shradhanjali and an introduction from the Tameside Branch President . This was followed by the two chosen topics .
Grooming The Grooming topic included a presentation from Greater Manchester Police highlighting the support for parental awareness . GW Theatre group showed a video with casestudies . The Director of Oldham Council Safeguarding highlighted the support that is available from them . The National Councils , e-Safety Presentation covered ways of how we as parents or guardians need to be e-device safe . Translation of the presentations was provided by Tameside Branch to ensure that the message was understood . This was considered important as there was a lot of television coverage over the past two years . Our sincere thanks to Shree Prajapati Mandal East London and Bolton branch for assistance to the Host branch on this topic .
Caring in the Community The afternoon session was on the subject of Caring in the Community . The presenters covered the Carer ’ s Act from Tameside Council Safeguarding followed by an amazing live piece by volunteers who worked extremely hard to present a professional drama demonstrating the real issues faced by both the care givers and the recipients ; illustrating the importance of asking for help and not to suffer in silence . This was further demonstrated by the personal experiences shown in a short video by four very brave families ’ members who came forward to share their experiences .
The Care in the Community topic could not have been prepared and delivered in a drama or video , had it not been for the tremendous support from all the SPA ( UK ) branches and the local community for completing and returning questionnaires that were sent out . Furthermore Tameside Branch should be very proud of their Youth Leader Punam Mistry and youth member Darshna Mistry who
managed to convey a complex subject in both English and Gujarati .
In between the two topics there was live music and some lively , toe tapping , vibrant and colourful dancing from the Tameside UBN dance group .
Following on from the very successful Mahila Samelan , SPA ( UK ) and Tameside branch received lots of very positive feedback . Furthermore , I was happy to hear that the topic of ‘ Grooming ’ has been cascaded to Birmingham and London branches .
We the SPA ( UK ) Mahila Team would like to take this opportunity to say ‘ Thank You ’ to the host Tameside branch , the branch volunteers and all SPA ( UK ) branches for their support and input towards a very successful 36th Mahila Samelan .
Finally , I would like to express my sincere ‘ THANKS ’ to the Mahila Secretary Dakshaben and the Mahila Assistants Pravinaben and Shardaben . Due to my personal circumstances I have not been able to fulfil the role as the SPA ( UK ) Mahila Convener , however the HQ Mahila Team , together with full support from Tameside Branch , SPA ( UK ) Executive Members , took up the mantle to fulfil the responsibility and commitments .
Mahila Committee for 2016 - 2017
Mahila Convenor
- Pushpaben P Lad ( Tameside )
Mahila Secretary
- Dakshaben D Mistry ( Tameside )
Assistant
- Shardaben S Mistry ( Tameside )
Assistant
- Pravinaben B Mistry ( Tameside )
Wishing you all a Very Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year .
Pushpaben P Lad Mahila Convenor - SPA ( UK )
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