Launch of Faith In Families

A wonderful day was enjoyed at the launch of ‘Faith in Families’ on Thursday, 29 January 2009, at St Barnabas’ Cathedral Hall, Nottingham. ‘Faith in Families’ (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society, Nottingham) is an Independent Charity providing adoption and adoption support services to children and families and social work services to children and families across the East Midlands.

from our traditional roots... ...their future blossoms!

faith in families is to be the new name of the Catholic Children's Society, Nottingham and its Families are Best adoption service. We will continue to:

• offer an "outstanding" adoption service (as recognised in our recent OFSTED inspection) offering adoptive parents excellent preparation and support as they take on the challenges of creating new families
• be a long term service, supporting our families for as long as they need us
• support young people in our schools through family breakdown, bereavement and other pressures
• develop innovative ways to help the most vulnerable children in our society to experience the love and security of family life
• share our experiences of adoption with professionals so that others can learn from our experience
• underpin all our activities with our Christian ethos which keeps children and families at the heart of our work as it has for the last 60 years

ADOPTION INFORMATION DAY

MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME!

Meet Faith in Families at SHEFFIELD CATHEDRAL ON WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2009  between 1.30PM TO 6.30PM.

Are you considering adopting a child? Would you like to find out more information?

Visit between 1.30pm and 6.30pm to find out more about adoption and meet the members of the Faith in Families Adoption Team.

The day will be an informal opportunity to find out more about adoption and speak with experienced members of the the Team.

For more details please contact us on 0115 955 8811 or email enquiries@faithinfamilies.org

THANKSGIVING MASS FOR THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH'S OF PEACE

On Wednesday, 15 October 2008, a Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Sacred Heart Convent in Rearsby, to celebrate the contribution which the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace have made for over sixty years towards the work of the Catholic Children's Society, Nottingham.

Father Jimmy Browne celebrated the Mass, during which Sister Hilda Baxter, Trustee of the Society, spoke of the history of the involvement of the Sisters at Borrowash House, Colston Bassett, Kinder Lodge, St Joseph's, as Trustees and within the Social Work Team of the Society. Steve Hargrave, Chief Executive, thanked the Sisters for their hard work, commitment, dedication and loyalty over such a long period. He expressed appreciation that this involvement would continue through the work of Sister Maureen Brennan, as Adoption Social Worker. A beautiful bouquet was presented to Sister Laurette Bergin, Province Leader, as a gesture of appreciation for their selfless devotion, together with cards expressing gratitude to them for reaching out and touching the lives of so many children and families.

The following quote from a birth mother and former resident of St Joseph's expresses her appreciation of the support she received and demonstrates the importance of this, in practical and emotional terms, for her future wellbeing and that of her child:

"I arrived at St Joseph's at a time of personal crisis in my life. Living at St Joseph's during this period gave me the time and space I needed to come to terms with the past and make a decision about the future. I will always be grateful to the staff of St Joseph's and the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace for their advice and support, both during my stay there and in the follow-up support given by Sister Maureen. I look back on the months spent at St Joseph's as a special time in my life of self-forgiveness and healing, in which I learned to welcome the future with my baby with renewed strength and hope."

Trustees and staff (past and present) of the Society then enjoyed a light supper with the Sisters in celebration of all their achievements.

Betty Falaki
PA to Chief Executive

If you would like further information about adoption, please contact:

• Families Are Best, Catholic Children's Society
• 7 Colwick Road
• West Bridgford
• Nottingham NG2 5FR
• Tel: 0115 955 8811
• Email: enquiries@ccsnotts.co.uk
• Website:www.families-are-best'co.uk