4 NEWS
Network embraces social media to get more women involved
THAMES Valley Women’s Network has found a simple way to keep in contact with members whether they are at home, or out and about. The network has created its own Facebook group and members of the committee are using it to post inspirational status updates, share articles in the news and details of upcoming events. The group already has 387 ‘friends’ made up of serving officers and police staff, those on maternity leave, career breaks and long-term sick. The group was Acting Tasking Manager Wendy Walker’s idea. “So
many people have the Facebook app on their phones and iPads and lots more check Facebook on their home computers. I thought this
was an innovative way for women who are on maternity leave to keep in touch with our network,” she said. The network is now looking to further embrace social media by setting up a Twitter account. BAWP national co-ordinator Parwinder Dale says she thinks the
Facebook group is a great idea. “We all have busy lives and if social media is the way to keep people involved and engaged then I say go for it. We have a BAWP Twitter account and groups on Linked In, but maybe we will follow the Thames Valley lead and create a Facebook group too!”9
The network used Facebook to promote their last development day at which Surrey Chief Constable Lynne Owens, pictured above, spoke.
TRIP TO HELP UGANDAN STREET CHILDREN
A NEIGHBOURHOOD inspector from Greater Manchester Police has been selected to spend a week in November supporting street children in Uganda. Ruth Bradley-Holt will be one of a team of 12 officers, police staff and fire fighters on the trip, which has been arranged in partnership with Manchester-based charity Retrak.
She had to complete an application form and be interviewed over the phone to earn
GRAPEVINE Autumn 2012
her place on the team. All 12 now have to each raise a minimum of £2,000 in sponsorship so their work can be sustained when they leave. The group will be helping to renovate a clubhouse, or half-way house, used by the street children. They are also planning to stage a mini Olympics. “We hope to get the children to make their medals and torches, help us put up bunting and then take part in the games,” said Ruth. “We are also planning to teach the children about first
aid, fire drills and talk to them about the importance of having good self esteem.” This is the third year Greater Manchester
Police has partnered with the charity. In previous years officers have undertaken voluntary work in Ethiopia. All the volunteers have taken annual leave, or used up rest days for the trip.
Donate to the cause by visiting:
www.justgiving.com/ RuthBradley-Holt 9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20