Published on 10th February 2014
This week sees the start of an ambitious month-long campaign of activities to help people recognise the difference between a healthy, trusting relationship and a relationship which, they may not realise, is causing them harm.
After the success of two previous campaigns, ‘Positive Socialising’ (Sep 2013) and ‘Positive Living’ (Oct 2013), Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire Police and community organisations around Cheltenham have come together again to promote ‘Positive Relationships’. The series of three campaigns was developed to raise awareness of staying safe at home and while you’re out and about in Cheltenham.
‘Positive Relationships’ will focus on helping people identify whether or not the important relationships in their lives are healthy ones. The campaign doesn’t just consider the relationships between men and women, it considers any relationship including parent-child, teacher-student, girl-boy and of course, friendships.
To kick the campaign off, a seminar was held on Monday morning (10 February) at Cheltenham Borough Council’s Municipal Offices, in the council chamber. The seminar was open to any professional who works with families. It covered issues such as e-safety, domestic abuse services and impacts on children. Key speakers included Dr Jane Monckton-Smith who talked about positive relationships, DCI Richard Cooper who talked about sexual exploitation and Karen Clarke from Gloucestershire Rape Crisis who covered the myths surrounding sexual violence.
There were also workshops run by Splitz, Oakwood and Gardners Lane Federation, Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire domestic Abuse Support Services.
Councillor Peter Jeffries, cabinet member for housing, safety and communities, said: “Our happiness can depend on the relationships we have in our lives so it’s important that we’re able to recognise the healthy ones from the ones that may cause us harm. With so many people now developing relationships online, we need to make sure people are aware of how to keep themselves safe online and at home. I’m pleased that this campaign will highlight the issues and let people know where they can go for help, advice and support.”
For press enquiries contact Lisa Davies, communications and web team leader, on 01242 775037 or [email protected]
Notes:
‘Positive Relationships’ will focus on helping people identify whether or not the important relationships in their lives are healthy ones. The campaign doesn’t just consider the relationships between men and women, it considers any relationship including parent-child, teacher-student, girl-boy and of course, friendships.
To kick the campaign off, a seminar was held on Monday morning (10 February) at Cheltenham Borough Council’s Municipal Offices, in the council chamber. The seminar was open to any professional who works with families. It covered issues such as e-safety, domestic abuse services and impacts on children. Key speakers included Dr Jane Monckton-Smith who talked about positive relationships, DCI Richard Cooper who talked about sexual exploitation and Karen Clarke from Gloucestershire Rape Crisis who covered the myths surrounding sexual violence.
There were also workshops run by Splitz, Oakwood and Gardners Lane Federation, Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire domestic Abuse Support Services.
Councillor Peter Jeffries, cabinet member for housing, safety and communities, said: “Our happiness can depend on the relationships we have in our lives so it’s important that we’re able to recognise the healthy ones from the ones that may cause us harm. With so many people now developing relationships online, we need to make sure people are aware of how to keep themselves safe online and at home. I’m pleased that this campaign will highlight the issues and let people know where they can go for help, advice and support.”
For press enquiries contact Lisa Davies, communications and web team leader, on 01242 775037 or [email protected]
Notes:
- Follow the campaign on Twitter: #positiverelationships
- ‘Positive Living’ is one of three, week-long 'safeguarding weeks':
- Positive Socialising was run in September 2013 to coincide with Freshers' Week. It pulled together a range of activities, not only to promote safe engagement with the evening and night time economy, but to also address sexual violence and online/mobile safety.
- Positive Living will run in late October to coincide with Halloween / bonfire night and darker nights / clock changes. It will focus on ways to make vulnerable adults feel safer in their homes and encourage them to play an active part in their communities. The aim is also to engage younger people in the issues that traditionally occur with those events.
- Positive Relationships will run in early 2014 to coincide with the lead up to Cheltenham Races. It will incorporate not only work around sexual exploitation and support for front line workers to recognise and report, but also hopefully engagement in schools and colleges about healthy relationships and domestic violence.
- The partners involved in these campaigns are:
- Cheltenham Borough Council
- Gloucestershire Constabulary
- Cheltenham Safeguarding Forum (including County Community Projects and other voluntary sector organisations)
- Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
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