WHAT IS FGM?

FGM is a cultural practice that involves the removal or injury of external female genitalia. FGM is practised in 28 African countries, parts of Asia and Latin America. FGM is against the law and a form of child abuse.

It is estimated that there could be 140 million women worldwide who have undergone FGM.

Female Genital Mutilation is generally performed on girls aged 8-14, but can be done at any age. It is a cultural practice NOT religious and there are variations on the severity of the practice, from piercing the clitoris to removing the lips and narrowing the opening to of the vagina. FGM is generally not performed using any anaesthetic or in sterile conditions.

WHO IS AT RISK?

In the UK prevalence studies suggest there are 20,000 girls who could be at risk (http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/key-issues/fgm/research).

Girls most at risk of FGM may be British citizens born to parents from FGM affected communities or girls that live in the UK who were born in countries that practice FGM.

In Bristol there are approximately 3,100 girls aged 3-18 who come from countries (or whose parents come from countries) where FGM is practised. Bristol has a growing Black and Minority Ethnic population and some of the largest growing groups come from countries where FGM is practised. FGM is a secretive practice, because it is illegal in many countries, including the UK. Accurate figures relating to FGM are difficult to obtain.

WHY THE SUMMER?

The period before and during the summer holidays has traditionally been identified as a high risk time for girls who undergo FGM. The girl may need a long period (4-8 weeks) of recovery following this procedure.

If you think a girl may be at risk, please call Childline on 0800 1111.

PLATFORM 51′S SUMMER CAMPAIGN

Over the summer months we plan to photograph people holding up placards and collect these as a form of visual signature. People can chose to hold up a banner that says women/girls/men/boys or friends against FGM. These will be made available via this blog and will be presented to key figures within Bristol later on in the year to demonstrate that people who may from neighbourhoods where FGM is little known about both aware of this harmful practice and are opposed to it.

We intend to run stalls at a number of events across South Bristol over the summer where we will talk to people face to face about FGM, distribute information leaflets and take people’s photographs.

Come and learn more at the launch event at City Academy, 29th May 4-6pm (Russell Town Avenue, Bristol).

We’re here to help!

We can offer a health assessment & one to one support to anyone who wants to make a positive change to their health and well being.
Ring and book a trial session

Call SALLY on 0117 9030024
(Provided by qualified Health Trainer & Therapist)
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs
FREE TO PEOPLE LIVING IN SOUTH BRISTOL

At Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), we’re having solar panels put on our roof.  Bristol Energy Cooperative are raising the investment money for them from people across Bristol in a Community Share Offer. This activity aims to:

* Provide community buildings with free or low cost green energy, saving money and supporting their work

* Reduce the amount of CO2 and decrease reliance on fossil fuels

* Provide a financial return each year to investors

* Provide money for reinvestment in other projects, increasing community owned renewable energy across Bristol.

People can invest anything from £50 to £20,000 and become a member of the cooperative with equal voting rights on future projects and how the cooperative spend extra money.

The Event

Thursday 10th May, 7.30-9pm, Knowle West Media Centre. Register your attendance at www.knowlewestmedia.eventbrite.com

Following the share offer launch event at Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, this is another chance to hear more from Bristol Energy Cooperative about the panels, the plans and the opportunity to purchase shares.

Learn more about this opportunity – recently mentioned in the Guardian newspaper – and find out how you can get involved.

This happens in a safe, supportive group run by two experienced facilitators. Starts with one taster session so you can try it out without committing to the rest of the course.

Starts Monday 14th May 2012 for people in south Bristol (Knowle West takes priority).

Please bring your own refreshments.

Contact Garth Naude (0117) 377 2256 to book.

Who we are.

Platform 51 supports girls and women as they take control of their lives. Girls and women today face problems that are often subtle or misunderstood. Despite shifts in attitude and changes in the law, women are often unheard, isolated and face discrimination. This is costly both to women and to society.  Girls and women are at the heart of all we do. Our activities, services and campaigns are about things women need and want. We give them a platform to have their say and challenge discrimination. We want a world where women are in control of their own lives.

PLATFORMS GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON IN  MAY AND JUNE

Our activities services and campaigns are about things women need and want. All our events are FREE or very low cost. For more details please call us on 0117 963 8775.

Yoga and Relaxation: Try some simple Yoga exercises to strengthen and balance your body and make you feel great. Learn new breathing techniques at the end of the sessions to help you with relaxation.  Taster session Thursday 10 May 10am-11.30. Crèche available.

Arts and Crafts Group: Get creative for the summer, meet other women and learn new crafting skills by making new things in a relaxed safe environment. Every Tuesday 10-11.30am (cost £1 per session for materials).

Easton Girls’ Youth Group: An informal group for girls aged 11-19 to develop a range of skills in a relaxed friendly environment.  We meet to discuss issues around FGM and we are having fun working toward the youth achievement awards.  Every Tuesday at the Easton Community Centre,  5-6.30pm.

Drop in and lunch club: Join us for a cuppa and a chat. Friendly, non-judgemental, safe space to meet other women. Join us in growing some veg this summer. Lunch club starts at 12 pm. Every Wednesday 9:30 am-2 pm. Crèche available.

Confidence Building Course:  Techniques and tools on how to improve your confidence, self-esteem and identify goals for the future.  6 week course. Wednesdays  10am -12pm. Crèche available.

Boot Camp: An opportunity to get fit and have fun with a personal trainer.  Exercise is a good way to improve your mental health and feel good about yourself.  Every Thursday 1pm—2 pm. Crèche available.

The In Touch Project: Offers support to women diagnosed with, or at risk of, ante-natal or post-natal depression. We offer individual and group counselling, complimentary therapy and one to one support.

Upcoming Events

• Anger management course
• Parenting course
• Health and wellbeing sessions
• Family day trip

Please do let us know if you are interested.

Volunteering

Become a volunteer and apply for a role in our steering group. We want you to be our eyes and ears within the community to inform our services, so that we can provide women with a service they both want and need.

Ring us on 0117 963 8775 or pop in to Platform 51, 1 Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1WH.

You can also join our group on Facebook: Platform 51 Bristol Centre.

Friday 18th May – 1.00—2.30 pm

For further information please contact us :

Knowle West Children Centre

Leinster Avenue

Knowle West

Bristol,  BS4 1NN

Telephone No. 0117 9030214

Using Photoshop (dates in May and July)
Learn about: working with colours, layering, cropping, correcting, and adding effects

Introduction to InDesign (dates in June)
Learn about: setting up and organising documents, formatting text, working with colours, and working with objects

£140 per two-day course, training materials provided.
For more details contact Cathy and Rachel at KWMC on 0117 903 0444
Book online via www.knowlewestmedia.eventbrite.com

We’ve worked with local residents for three years to develop ambitious regeneration plans, now we would like your views. Come to one of the two staffed events next week in Knowle West:

- Wednesday April 18 at Filwood Community Centre, Barnstaple Road, Filwood
Drop in from 4pm to 8pm

- Thursday April 19 at The Mede, 1 Marshall Walk, Inns Court
Drop in from 4pm to 8pm

Your views will be taken into account when developing the final plan for Knowle West, which the council expects to agree later this year. This proposed plan and consultation is part of the city-wide ‘Site Allocations’ consultation to decide land-use planning in Bristol over the next 20 years.

To find out more about the proposed plan for Knowle West and to comment online until May 18 2012, please visit www.bristol.gov.uk/kwrf

We look forward to hearing your views!

The Knowle West Project Team