...it’s nearly Halloween!!!

It's October, and pretty much everyone agrees on the position of Halloween in the calendar - namely 'All Hallows Eve' on October 31st, when the spirits of our ancestors return to earth.  Now I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween, but my regular blog readers will know that I am keen on discovering tradition behind the celebrations we take for granted.  So to start this month's blog, I shall explore that little known, but increasingly popular event......Halloween!  

If this were a movie - this is the point where we hear a blood-curdling scream

We can trace the foundations of Halloween back to Celtic festivals which celebrated the New Year on the 1st of November. The ancients' name for this festival was 'Samhain' and its role was to mark the boundary between the old year and new; or the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half".  The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the 'Otherworld' became thin during Samhain, allowing spirits (of the non-surgical or alcoholic variety) to pass through.  If they were pretty good eggs, then the spirits of the family's ancestors were honoured and invited home, whilst bag egg spirits were warded off. 

This 'spirit baiting' led to a lot of our modern-day traditions such as dressing up in masks and costumes to disguise oneself as a bad spirits (to 'spook the spooks!')  But Samhain was also a time to take stock of food supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores so bonfires played a large part in the festivities. During the festivities the bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames. In modern times we call this "A Barbeque" and it is often accompanied by a pleasant little spirit called "Pimms". 

With the spread of Christianity, the Church sanitised the Pagan 'All Hallows Eve' in favour of 'All Saints Day' on the 1st of November.  So over time, the name for the night before All Hallows changed to hallow's eve, then hallow e'en and finally Halloween.  And the festival of Samhain was replaced with All Saints Day on the 1st of November, and All Souls Day on the 2nd of November. 

Yet, aspects of the ancient festival still survive - such as dressing up, lighting bonfires, witches on broomsticks (quite possibly attributed to the mind-warping hallucinogenic mushrooms consumed at Pagan Celebrations) and trick or treating.  Whether you agree with it or not (especially the uncomfortable feeling that children should not be making doorstep demands with menaces), trick-or-treating closely resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2).   

But for those of you who turn off all the lights and hide behind the sofa to avoid the trick-or-treaters, it isn't all curly-wurlys and lollipops, doom and gloom.  In some areas of the world (notably north America and Canada) children are actively encouraged to go trick or treating in order for them to help children less fortunate than themselves.  I am so impressed with this idea of an RRR Halloween, that I would really love to see children in the UK getting involved in Trick or Treat for Unicef.   

Please feel free to read about the 60th anniversary of 'Trick-or-Treat for Unicef' at: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/

Compared with our Pagan ancestors, we do tend to treat Halloween as a bit of a joke nowadays.  It may well be the half term holiday in Hampshire, but we don't have an official public holiday on the 31st of October, or even the 1st of November.  But this was one of the 4 most important dates in the year to the ancient Celts and the Druids as they claimed that on this special night, they could communicate with the spirits of the departed.   I  would like to argue that 365 days a year I communicate with the 'spirit of the departed' being a parent of two teenagers! 

But joking aside, far from being threatening, the ghosts of the ancestors could foretell what was going to happen in the year that was about to begin. 

Now how useful that soothsaying ability would be during these uncertain times.  

It seems that modern-day Christian attitudes to Halloween are also quite diverse; some seeing it as a harmless secular festival where children dress up as spooks, others feel it is completely unacceptable as it celebrates paganism and the occult.  Before I move onto the 'proper' extended services business, I'd like to share my one real concern about Halloween - and that is the increasingly macabre aspect; the celebration of the ugly, the scarred and the horrific.  I sometimes walk past the fancy dress shop on my way to work and think to myself that even the most resolute atheist must be troubled by this growing trend for revolting, gruesome masks and costumes (in the window since August!)  When the media delights in parading beautiful bodies and air-brushed images in front of us, then we sometimes need to remind ourselves to declare very loudly and clearly to children that there is absolutely no relationship between having a deformed or distorted body and being evil.

Which leads me rather nicely onto children and young people who may not resemble Halloween masks, but they do feel different.  I'm thinking about those poor little poppets who are having a truly miserable time growing up in the body they've been born into; subsequently facing inequality and alienation.  The EHRC's latest report on inequality in the UK found that certain groups of children "Are not getting a fair deal out of the education system"  For instance, gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils, those with special educational needs and children from black communities.  They continue to be among the worst groups hit by inequality in schools, according to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).  I can't say that I am surprised when we seem to be hanging onto to some rather out-dated habits of 'labelling' or 'stereotyping' certain people and popping then into little convenient boxes. 

In a time when the Local Children's Partnership are consulting on their Area Action Plan, it is worth considering that the EHR Commission expressed concern that 7 out of 10 excluded children have unidentified special educational needs.  Although I am very proud that our figures for permanent exclusions is decreasing, it is still worth noting that in 2010, 43% of young people in Fareham still did not achieve the qualifications required to become a teacher, a nurse or a social worker; and for children in receipt of Free School Meals this figure rises steeply to 75%. 

So where are we going so wrong in a nice place like this?   Are we failing children and young people in Fareham?

Personally I wouldn't dream of answering that question, but it is certainly a matter for discussion at a local level.  Especially if we hope children in Fareham not only reach their potential...but achieve BEYOND expectations. 

But going back quickly to that matter of sexuality, I recently had a conversation with a very bright young man who attends one of our partnership schools.  He explained some of the difficulties with feeling 'different' at school, and how problematic it is to find someone at school who not only understands, but he can talk too.  The Equalities and Human Rights Commission highlighted that the treatment of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in school is still a major concern; as their lives are often blighted by bullying. The vast majority of LGB young men and women will leave school having experienced bullying (65%) or heard homophobic comments (75%).  You have to agree that it hardly makes an environment that's conducive to learning for these young people.  I highlighted the fantastic work that has been carried out by Stonewall in a previous Blog, but here is a quick reminder that there are some fantastic resources for schools and youth groups available at:

Stonewall at School (with quick link to three useful reports below)

The School Report

Challenging Homophobic Language

Supporting Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Young People

Following a very informal consultation with young men who are identifying as being gay in their teens, I would simply recommend that secondary schools adopt a professional in their school who can take a lead role on LGB policies, issues and training.  Ideally this would be someone who can offer a strong and positive role model to help spread the message that homophobia will not be tolerated by staff, students, parents or visitors.  Unless everyone takes a stand against homophobic bullying and takes a collective stand to challenge homophobic comments, then change simply will just not happen.  So "That's so gay" (or "You're throwing like a poof" a teacher said at one of our partnership schools recently) should be tackled in the same manner as racist comments. 

Please remember that The Single Equality Bill introduced this year strengthens the legal responsibilities of public authorities to make sure that they not only respond to discriminatory activity and bullying, but also makes schools responsible for providing an environment that promotes equal opportunity and inclusively. 

If you need to signpost a young person between the age of 13 - 19 years to a Fareham based Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Plus (People Like Us) Group, then please feel free to phone or text for more details on:

07985 860343 (or e-mail) lgb_youth@hotmail.com

So the first place you may wish to address (at all Key Stages) to ensure you provide an environment that promotes equal opportunity and inclusively could be that miserable, anxiety-fraught period in the week for many pupils...

...changing for PE

Gosh, my heart sank into my imaginary plimsolls just typing that sentence.  It's years since I left my miserable schooldays behind, but I still shudder at the thought of stripping off muddy hockey kit over bruised and bleeding shins - and streaking as fast as possible through the cold communal showers under the careful scrutiny of our small, sadistic PE Teacher.  Other than trying to catch the late bus home from the disco in Fordingbridge, it was the only time I actually ran at speed.  So unsurprisingly, for an incredibly cowardly hockey player, my claim to fame (other than being voted the scruffiest Prefect ever) was that I was the first pupil at Ringwood 'Comp' to receive a PE Detention. 

Although in my defence...I could never see a problem with running in the opposite way to a heavy ball and a field full of scary 6ft girls with sticks!!! 

Can I remind partners that a target for our CAPP Area Action Plan is to ensure that all children, young people and their families have someone to turn to when they need help and support through difficult times.  The idea of a 'Well-being Centre' certainly isn't new (as The Children's Act 1989 makes clear that all schools have a duty of care over their pupils to ensure their safety and to protect the emotional well being of every person in their care) so before you start shouting down the phone that any available space in schools is designated as teaching areas and all that is left is the cleaners' cupboard ... can I remind schools that a well-being centre need not be a "centre" or indeed even a "building"!  I know that the partnership is growing concerned about a reduction in funding for pastoral support in schools, extended services and various other funding sources that seem to be shrivelling up faster than a snail paddling in the Dead Sea, but without those additional resources being allocated for support for pupils and parents, then you may have a child or young person with so many unmet needs that they are unable to take on board any additional learning.  So you might as well sit that child in the cleaners' cupboard for all the good sitting through a maths lesson with a black eye and an empty stomach will do them.

This is where partnership work really comes into its own; and in defence of a recent defamation of our CAPP Extended Services Action Plan and what we have achieved over the past three years, it is one of the things that we have been successful at doing.  As well as ensuring Cams Hill cluster have access to an excellent Parent Support Adviser, just think about how many external support agencies we have either worked with, or have access too.  For example:

The partnership login area of this web site contains a downloadable Directory of Services Supporting Children and Young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs.  But as with most directories (that have an annoying habit of going out of date as soon as they are printed) this is now desperately in need of updating and missing key personnel and contact details.   Please note that here is still some extended services funding remaining for 2010/11 that could be utilised for well-being, so please get in contact if you have any good ideas or have identified an unmet need in your school or community setting. 

Which leads me to the news that Cams Hill will be hosting the 2nd annual multi-agency event on:

 Monday 1st November - 3.30pm

This event will offer the opportunity for agencies to meet informally with the school pastoral team and liaise with one other.  If you know of any agency who may have been missed, then please get in contact and I shall pass on your details. 

Which leads me nicely on to some of the amazing things that the young volunteers in the Portchester area have been doing.  Please let me introduce you to the fantastic Portchester Community and Keepsake Children's Centre Mural Project.

Portchester Community and Keepsake Children's Centre Mural Project

We were very fortunate that Mark Hoban (MP) and many of our partnership members joined us in Portchester on the evening of Friday 15th October to unveil the colourful mural at the entrance of Portchester Community & Keepsake Children's Centre.  This project is the culmination of many hours work from young volunteers age between 15 - 25 years, under the guidance of the V project coordinator Miss Hana Moss.  Please read the press article from Hana about the mural project below.

Portchester Mural Project

But making predictions of the effect on schools, even positive ones, is difficult at this early stage. Firstly, this idea of the "pupil premium" that will hand extra cash to schools educating pupils from poorer backgrounds will no doubt be based upon FSM data.  However, it has yet to say how much money will be allocated and we have already experienced through LEAP Funding that (a) not all families who could be eligible for Free School Meals apply for them and (b) it is often those poor little souls from really messy families, young carers, or children with emotional or mental-health needs who actually require the most support. 

Which leads me to my second concern.  It remains unclear how the budgets for local authority support services to schools will be affected by the spending review, although early indications seem to be slightly more positive that expected with cuts of only one per cent per year over four years (which equates to more than £550m each year).  But this could still see a huge impact upon educational attainment if a key partner is no longer able to provide the same level of service.  Despite recent events, I shall remain positive that the germination of the Local Children's Partnership will go even further towards identifying our areas of need for children, young people and their families in Fareham (as one cannot be seen in isolation from the other) in a more collaborative manner. 

I have already mentioned the Cross-generation Christmas Meal that our young volunteers are hosting in Portchester but there are many intergenerational projects taking place in our area.  For instance, the very popular older persons' IT club that runs at Portchester Community Centre, Cams Community Club, and many other fabulous projects to integrate the old and young that are taking place in our partnership schools across East Fareham.  I cannot thank you all enough for taking the communication problem between our generations so seriously and being so proactive in this area of our Area Action Plan.  

Therefore I am delighted to announce that we are one of the three representatives in the county selected to present our success stories at the Celebrate the Generations Event in Winchester on 30th November.  I now have access to a marvellous little digital recorder so I hope to produce a very short film over the coming weeks to showcase at this event.

Another bit of local news to share is the resurrection of the SNAP discos in Fareham on Friday 26th November.  Many thanks to volunteers who have come forward to offer their support and help. These dance nights have been very popular with young people for many, many years in Fareham and not only will the sale of impossibly short skirts go up (excuse the pun) in the weeks leading up to the event, I am sure the return will be very much appreciated by our 11-16 year olds.  For more details about SNAP (Say No And Phone) please click the picture above.

May I also take this opportunity to remind you that X-Perience Young Persons' Centre in Trinity Street is now opening its doors on a Friday evenings from 7 - 9pm for 15 - 19 year olds.  As the cold, winter months are fast approaching (the darker half of the year) please feel free to signpost young people this warm, safe environment where they can relax and socialise.

Thanks to an injection of external funding, Westland's Youth Club at Portchester Community Centre will resume on Friday 12th November from 6.00 - 7.45pm.  This busy youth group is targeted at the early teens age 9 - 13 years and supported by trained youth workers and our own certificated young leaders from Cams Hill and Portchester Schools.  The autumn/winter theme will be around the subject of SAFETY (cyber-safety, cycling etc.) so please get in touch if you think your organisation may be able to contribute.

In addition, Fareham Community Church run a very busy youth section with various activities, such as "The Noise" bi-monthly live music night, at their easily accessible site in Fareham town centre.  Please feel free to add the Community Church on Twitter or Facebook, or visit the web site page Fareham Community Church - Youth and Children for details of what's on offer for all age groups.  Why not also take the opportunity during half term to drop into new Tino's Coffee Shop, open seven days a week at the Community Church in West Street.

Another local attraction you can follow on your networking sites is Westbury Manor Museum - keep up to date about FREE events such as the Bad Hair Day at 10.00am on Wednesday 27th October.

And for all age groups and their families, don't forget to check out What's on in Hampshire for lots of special events taking place during the autumn half term holiday. 

Even better - If you are planning event and want to promote it as widely as possible then you can add it to the web site for FREE.

Finally, can I remind our partners that Hampshire families need to apply for school places by Saturday 15th January 2011 (see: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/admissions.htm).  We are aware that it may be necessary to support some families who are not familiar with Information Technology to complete the online registration form.  Keepsake Children's Centre are running a workshop for parents on Friday 19th November between 9am to 1 pm with laptops provided.  Please pass on the flyer below throughout your networks.

Alternatively, you can signpost parents to the local library, or I would be more than happy for parents to drop-in at Community Action Fareham and ask for help with the online application.  Please feel free to ask families to contact me on 01329 223155 or 07814 307012 - or just drop into the reception area and leave a message.

Starting School in September 2011

You may not be aware that in an attempt to reduce teenage conceptions, I also offer a drop-in service for young people under the age of 25 years to access the Get it On - FREE Condom Distribution Scheme at Community Action Fareham.  If I'm not available then our volunteer receptionists have been asked to advise young people to pop down to the nearest distribution point at the West Street Connexions office.  Although it is not promoted, I can also carry out pregnancy tests, offer contraceptive advice and signpost young people to sexual health screening as necessary.

In addition, the new Community Action Fareham office is in a prime position in the town centre so please feel free to use our shop front to display event posters, flyers or promotional materials for your support service.  I often have people popping in for directions, offering to volunteer or to pick up event leaflets, so please feel free to use us.

I'm off to buy a Halloween pumpkin to scare away the bad spirits, so I shall leave you this month in my usual light-hearted manner.  Please stay safe and have an enjoyable and relaxing half term holiday.