Jan 2009...

Abbi Jackson, trainer and education writer discusses our Safe Hands' training programme for helping children feel protected
Article (pdf-164k) appears in Child Care Magazine

Sandra Brown OBE, Scotswoman Of The Year 2005,
tells the story of how she discovered
her father was a paedophile and may have been responsible for the disappearance of a little girl in Coatbridge in 1957 -
Moira Anderson.
This one act play, written and performed by Sandra is adapted from her international best selling book
"Where There Is Evil".
A question and answer session will
follow the performance.

Music from Carol Laula
("Scotland's leading singer-songwriter" - Glasgow Herald)
will conclude an evening with
two of Scotland's most treasured daughters.

TOUR DATES :

Saturday 4th April 8pm @ Cumbernauld Theatre £10/£9 Tel: 01236 732887
Friday 17th April 8pm @ Glasgow City Halls £12 Tel; 0141 353 8000
Friday 24th April 7.30pm @ Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine £8/£6 Tel: 01294 274059
Saturday 25th April 7.30pm @ Wishaw Volunteers Centre £10 Tel: 01236 434384
Friday 1st May 7.30pm @ Brodick Hall, Isle of Arran £10 Tel: 01236 434384 Tickets also available from Book and Card Centre, Brodick
Saturday 2nd May 7.30pm @ Airdrie Arts Centre £8 Tel: 01236 755436
Friday 8th May 7.30pm @ Greenock Arts Guild Theatre £10 Tel: 01475 723038
Saturday 9th May 7.30pm @ Greenock Arts Guild Theatre £10 Tel; 01475 723038
Thursday 28th May 7.30pm @ The Byre Theatre, St. Andrews £l0/£8 Tel: 01334 475000

www.crsentertainments.com
www.carollaula.co.uk

The West End Bar 'Airdrie Tartan Army' collected £250 for the Foundation
presented to our girls Sandra Debbie, Gillian and Jillian before the Army headed for Amsterdam.

Sandra receives £500 from Leaseguard to help support nine current families where children need play therapy.
Leaseguard have also kindly helped support the tour of the play

The Foundation's AGM was a very successful event underpinning a successful year. It was followed by a social get together with
Carol Laula and Colin Scougal giving performances which made the evening even more memorable and enjoyable.

Lanarkshire secondary pupils are set to learn about personal safety through a unique campaign launching this autumn by Airdrie’s Moira Anderson Foundation. Thanks to the successful Spring Tour around Scottish theatres of the award winning Sandra Brown’s play “One of Our Ain” and fantastic audience evaluations from Greenock to St Andrews, two dozen North Lanarkshire schools will have the chance to host a live performance and pupils participate in an innovative drama workshop.

The Stay Safe Campaign is the latest phase of the charity’s Safe Hands initiative, which has won praise from Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Young People, and funders at the Scottish Government, for its resources and ideas on early intervention. Its focus is to keep children aware of how important it is to recognise their own ‘oh oh!’ feelings or gut instincts about situations, and of the need to take any worries to trusted adults. Educationalists believe the Project will go a long way to help inform local pupils. Recently retired Rosehall Secondary headteacher Ann Bruce firmly backed the play after seeing the one woman performance by Sandra Brown in Arran, where Ann now lives.

“Quite simply, “One of Our Ain” which tells the story of Moira who disappeared from the Monklands in 1957, has a stunning impact on audiences,” says Ann. “I was moved by the play, and so keen to see youngsters have the opportunity to hear its strong messages, that I contacted Director for Leisure and Learning Services, Christine Pollock.”

Sandra Brown, who received an OBE for services to child protection in 2006, adds:
“Ann by chance was in our audience, and we are thrilled that she is championing our campaign. True to her word, she approached the Director to ensure that Moira’s story gains a wider audience. Council endorsement is crucial so that a very effective vehicle for pupils is utilised. Our tour showed positive feedback from a wide age range from 12 years up. Also, thanks to new funding, we can now develop an educational DVD and teaching materials that may be incorporated across the curriculum by Local Authorities as a unique personal safety resource.”

Further details of the funding success, and how the campaign will proceed will be highlighted at the charity’s AGM on Thursday October 29 at 7pm in the Georgian Hotel Coatbridge. This is a free event, with the public welcome. Music will be provided after 8pm by Paisley songwriter Carol Laula who has given her single “Little Angel” about Moira, to the charity. Entrance from 8pm onwards is by the function suite door, and a donation to the charity’s work can be made if wished. All proceeds raised from raffles etc, will go to help clients affected by child sexual abuse supported by the charity. In 2009 MAF has seen a 30% rise in referrals, and has doubled its staff. Those interested in volunteering may also attend the AGM to hear more, or contact : 01236 602890

Some stunning statistics shown at the AGM. ( Taken from The Sunday Times, The Scotsman and NSPCC - October 2009 figures )