CPVA Community Networking

This feels like something I’ve been banging on about since forever! Suggesting that individuals and organisations link up with each other to share knowledge and build capacity, to encourage each other and find strength in collaboration. Some organisations have a ready-made network through the particular programme they offer, for instance Who’s in Charge? or RYPP; some have built links across disciplines within their authority, such as the networking events run by Capa; others have contacted colleagues in the neighbouring boroughs or from friendships built at conferences. We saw the benefits at first hand during lockdown, when a number of events were held on line to keep people enthused and inspired. This seems particularly valuable, working in a field which remains poorly understood in some areas, and indeed, where reflective – and effective – supervision may be difficult to access.

In this spirit, I invite you to read the following letter, from Lou Mason, founder of the Sunflower Network and the Sunflower Hub. Lou and I spoke a while back after we were introduced, and I offered her this space to talk about the work she does and the opportunities offered by her organisation.

Dear Holes in the Wall Network

Firstly I wanted to say a big thank you to Helen for introducing me to you all. We met a few weeks ago after being connected up by Jane Griffiths at Capa First Response and it was a pleasure and a privilege to chat with Helen and find out more about the valuable and vital work that she – and by extension you all – do.

I am writing to you all today to invite you to consider signing yourselves and/or your organisations and groups up to a new free resource that I have created : The Sunflower Hub. An extension of my organisation The Sunflower Network, the Hub has been designed to connect up individual professionals and practitioners as well as organisations, charities, CICs, support groups and other services working with children, young people and families across the UK & Ireland.

It’s a multi-disciplinary resource that’s been designed for us specially and the intention is that it will make it much easier and quicker for us all to find each other in one dedicated hub for all sorts of reasons where we might need to seek out other people & services in our own and complementary fields.

The Sunflower Hub is completely free to use and free to join and is growing slowly but surely as people get to gradually know about it. Helen has very generously offered to share this with you, and it would be great if you’d consider being part of it.

I am including a link to an article I wrote which details a lot more about the Hub, who it’s for, how it can be used and some of the practicalities of signing up to it, so when you have five minutes over a cuppa, you might want to have a read and find out some more: https://thesunflowernetwork.co.uk/the-sunflower-hub-building-a-community/ 

The Sunflower Network also offers other supportive services, networking opportunities and trainings that might be useful for you – feel free to take a look at our website www.thesunflowernewtork.co.uk and do get in touch if you’d like to know more or have any questions. We’re always happy to help: info@thesunflowernetwork.co.uk

Thanks again to Helen and thank you for your interest and time reading. It would be great to be connected and hope we might welcome you to The Sunflower Hub at some point soon.

 Lou 

Sunflower Network​

Email: info@thesunflowernetwork.co.ukWeb: www.thesunflowernetwork.co.uk

EXPLORE • EDUCATE • ENABLE & INSPIRE

Other networks are of course available!

Please do also take a look at the Practitioner Support Services page on my website for other opportunities.