Retiring Director of Catholic Children's Society, Nottingham, Margaret Dight, MBE, Awarded Order of St Sylvester

Saturday, 2nd June 2007

Over 250 people attended a Thanksgiving Mass at St Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham, to mark the occasion of Margaret Dight's retirement as Director of the Catholic Children's Society, Nottingham, on Saturday, 2nd June 2007.

Bishop Malcolm McMahon, OP, was the Principal Celebrant of the Mass, which included music provided by the Choir of All Saints' School, Mansfield, and readings from Margaret's colleagues and pupils from the Becket School, Wilford, and from Ratcliffe College, Leicestershire.

Speakers included John Bale, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Society, and Michael Linnett, his predecessor in the role. Both John and Michael paid warm and fulsome tribute to Margaret's commitment to the Society and to adoption services nationwide during her twenty-six years service. Terry Connor, Director of Catholic Children's Society, Arundel & Brighton, Portsmouth & Southwark, spoke about Margaret's contribution on the national and international stage.

The highlight of the day was the presentation to Margaret, by Bishop Malcolm, of the prestigious honour of the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester, an award with the special object of rewarding "the laity who are active in the apostolate, in particular in the exercise of their professional duties and masters of the different arts"

At a social gathering afterwards at the Cathedral Hall, Margaret was presented with a music centre and other gifts from Trustees, staff and volunteers of the organisation, past and present, as well as friends and family.

Preparation Is Key

Following consultation with Families Are Best, Adoption Today, published by Adoption UK, ran an article on Preparation Groups in their April 2007 issue.

You can read the full article by clicking here but an extract is set out below:

'Families Are Best first introduced their integrated approach of assessment and preparation in 1993. This was because of the ongoing complexities of children requiring adoption placements, and the need to provide a much more comprehensive and integrated package to ensure that both applicants and the agency could recognise strengths and weaknesses in relation to potential parenting of neglected or abused children.

It also gives social workers a chance to learn about prospective adopters in a variety of settings and to support them through this emotional journey.'

Celebrations for 'Families are Best'

Nottingham Cathedral was full to capacity when the Catholic Children's Society held its Celebration Mass on Sunday 11th June 2006. The event is the Society's expression of thanks to all the volunteers, staff, schools and others who contribute to its work. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, the Society's President and was attended by supporters from across the diocese and representatives of different Churches and faiths throughout the region. Children from several Catholic schools took an active part, which included providing the musical accompaniment and choir.

During the Mass a presentation was made to Jane Wilford, a longstanding resident of West Bridgford and supporter of the Society who has served as a Trustee, Adoption Panel member and coordinates the work of a dedicated team of volunteers. Jane received the Bene Merenti Papal medal in recognition of her significant contribution to the work of the Society.

'Families are Best' is the Adoption service of the Catholic Children's Society, and actively recruits adoptive parents throughout the East Midlands, preparing them to parent children from Local Authority Care. Margaret Dight, MBE, the Society's Director said, "There are still many children waiting nationally for the chance of a secure and loving family life and the Catholic Children's Society continues to strive to find adoptive families who can bring hope for a better future."

A comprehensive website highlights the work of the Society with children and families and provides detailed information on becoming an adoptive parent. One of the most popular features is the monthly diary prepared by a couple, Claire and Jeremy, outlining their progress within the adoption assessment and preparation process through to 2 children being placed with them. This section of the website received 1700 'hits' during May 2006, demonstrating the huge interest in adoption and in following the progress of Claire and Jeremy's story.

Families are Best works with married couples and single people of any or no religious faith across the whole of the East Midlands. For further information about adoption or the work of the Society please contact us on any of the following:

Telephone: 0115 955 8811
Fax: 0115 955 8822
E mail: enquiries@ccsnotts.co.uk
Post: Families Are Best, 7 Colwick Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5FR