F.L.E.C. checked: lack of funds limits service

Press, 11 March 1985, Page 16

F.L.E.C. checked: lack of funds limits service

Making it happen

I Stability of employment I for educational field I workers, improved funding, I and extra volunteer help J are urgent needs for the I Family Life Education I Council (F.L.E.C.). I Lack of staff and funds I are now seriously limiting I F.L.E.C.’s ability to run I courses on human relationI ships and parenting. I Many of the courses have I been staged at the request I of schools, and provide a I valuable support to teacherI led programmes. I Many have been run in I co-operation with the DeI partment of Education and I other government agencies. I Funding has always been I a problem for F.L.E.C., I which has operated on a I shoestring. It gets grants I from charitable organisaI tions, local bodies, and the I Department of Social WelI fare. I “During the coming year, cases are to be made to Government for more permanent funding, and to other bodies for continued support,” says F.L.E.C. treasurer, Norman Roberts. “Immediate assistance is necessary to prevent loss of trained field workers, and to enable F.L.E.C. to maintain its profile in a field where community participation is

vital.” F.L.E.C. is a voluntary agency, with direction from its affiliated organisations, all of which are concerned with the welfare of children and families. F.L.E.C. (together with the Federation of Parents’ Centres) was responsible for bringing the English child development expert, Dr Martin Richards, to New Zealand last year. Its executive director is Shirley Croll, who is involved in many of the education programmes run by F.L.E.C. and also trains field workers. The organisation is based in a spacious ground floor room in the Christchurch Arts Centre. F.L.E.C. is also looking for people with skills in accounting and publicity to work on a voluntary basis. For more information, or offers of help, contact Mr Roberts (ph. 327-777); president Ailsa Densem (ph. 583199) or Mrs Croll at ph. 795159. F.L.E.C. forums The Family Life Educa-

tion Council is breaking into new areas with a series of lunchtime forums on matters of interest to parents. Topics are childrencentred, and the forums will provide a relaxed setting for well-qualified speakers, and plenty of audience par-, ticipation. If you are a parent worrying about the wisdom of finding child care for your toddler, about effective ways of setting limits to behaviour, or helping your child with her homework, then these sessions are for you. The programme starts on March 13, on the topic of child care. There will be excerpts from Helen Brew’s film, “China in Change.” The discussion will be led bv Dr Noeline Walker. ’The March 20 forum will look at the effects of family position, family spacing, and family size on people’s lives. It will be led by Angela Brangwyn and Margaret Gilling, both of whom have done extensive research on the subject. Other forums will look at discipline for children (March 27); violence and

aggression (April 3); how children learn (and how to help them learn) (April 10); and children and leisure (April 17). F.L.E.C. director Shirley Croll says: “Bring your lunch, and come a little , early for a cup of coffee.” As befits a child-centred place, babies and toddlers are welcome. All forums take place on Wednesdays from 12.30-1.30 . p.m. They will be held in the Family Life Education ; Rooms, Room 08, ground floor Old Boys’ High School Building at the Arts Centre, 28 Worcester Street. Examining porn The newly formed group, Women Against Pornography, will lead a National , Organisation for Women public workshop on porno- I graphy on March 13. All < interested women are in- i vited. ; The programme starts at ’ 7 p.m. with a showing of a video of “Not A Love j Story,” a powerful examina- i tion of pornography. < If you wish to be better ] informed on an important

subject, you’re most welcome — even if you can’t make it by 7 p.m. Venue: Aldersgate, Durham Street (between Chester St and Armagh St). “Prem” Support Group A support group for the parents of premature babies has been set up in Christchurch. As any parent of a “prem” will know, difficulties and frustrations often surround the rearing of these very special babies. Further information is available from: Margaret, ph. 31-811; Kay, ph. 296-893; Coral, ph. 890-921. Quote It takes an act of complete courage for a woman to explore other ways of being in the world beside motherhood. It takes an act of courage for a woman to give birth to a book, a painting, a business, an idea, a dance. Giving birth to oneself is an act of complete courage.—Nancy Wakeman. News for consideration for this column should be addressed to Mrs J. Steincamp, c/o Home and People Page, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.