| We encourage local Women’s Institutes to engage with National Family Week and to use this celebratory national occasion to showcase your own activities and give profile to how WIs support families and promote good family life.
There are two ways that Women’s Institutes might consider taking part:
1. Run a family-themed activity
You could give an existing activity a family theme or run a new event. For example: a meeting open to all the family, speakers with inspirational stories about family life, a discussion about how to make the local area more family-friendly, a community-wide family picnic or fete, or any other event you think appropriate.
2. Help publicise National Family Week and its core activities
WIs can support National Family Week simply by publicising it to your members and by encouraging participation in the core national activities. For example, “Family Fun” involves each family member taking it in turns to choose one activity for the family to do together in each day of the Week. Promotion of National Family Week can be done very easily - simply let your members know about it via your usual newsletters and meetings, and by displaying National Family Week posters. All the promotional material - plus a range of inspiring ideas - will be available on www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk from January 2009.
The tone of National Family Week will be celebratory, focusing on the pleasure of being part of a family and the fun families can have together. It will include families of all kinds - such as one-parent families and foster families - as well as traditional families.
For further information, see www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk or contact Jane Nethersole at jnethersole@nationalfamilyweek.co.uk or on 020 7871 0189. Please put the date (25-31 May) in your calender of activities, and let us know about any events you are planning.
____________________________
Some of the supporters of National Family Week
"I am pleased to endorse National Family Week and its aim of promoting and celebrating family life in Britain. I applaud the organisers for creating this important new initiative, and I look forward to joining with many other families across the country to underline the importance and value of family life in the UK." - the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown
"A good family life is the best start for any child. That's why Save the Children is happy to support National Family Week in celebrating and promoting family life in the UK." - Save the Children
“I am delighted to welcome National Family Week. It's full of practical ideas, and it will be great to see organisations from all sections of society join together to celebrate family life. There is nothing more important to families than the strength of their relationships, and the focus in National Family Week on allowing families to spend quality time together reflects that fact. The Week is a great idea, and I look forward to its success.” - David Cameron, Leader, Conservative Party
"I am pleased to offer my support to National Family Week. Families are the bedrock of society and this event will provide an opportunity to celebrate and value family life, in all its many forms, in the UK.” - Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
“This is a fantastic initiative that encourages families to spend more time together. Fun, quality time is so important for family life and it's great to see a whole week dedicated to celebrating this. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and they are incredibly important, providing a loving and nurturing home for children to grow up in.” - Nick Clegg, Leader, Liberal Democrat Party
"Families form the basis of a strong society. Families are places of love, of fun, of learning, of togetherness. As a clinical psychologist broadcaster and author I have been privileged to spend most of my career working with children, young people and their families - whether it is in my clinics, on television (Little Angels, House of Tiny Tearaways, BBC TV) or when writing. As a wife and mother I know my happiest times are at home with my family - the bedrock of my life. I am so pleased to endorse National Family Week and will do all I can to promote and celebrate the rich diversity of family life the UK." - Dr Tanya Byron
“The Grandparents' Association is delighted to endorse the National Family Week... The exciting initiative will give everyone the opportunity to realise how much grandparents are integral to the care of children and other family members but are often forgotten. We look forward to using this national occasion to celebrate grandparents and being a grandparent!" - The Grandparents' Association
"National Family Week is a tremendous idea that can give an enormous boost to discussion about family life in the UK, including the relationship between family life and work. The Work Foundation is pleased to endorse National Family Week." - The Work Foundation
“We are happy support national family week which recognises the diversity of family life in Britain today. One in four families today are headed by a lone parent, and they will be looking forward to celebrating their families and recognising their achievements.” - One Parent Families/Gingerbread
"4Children is delighted to be part of National Family Week ˆ bringing people together to celebrate families everywhere." - 4Children
"Our vision is of an inclusive society where families with severely disabled children have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life. That's why the Family Fund is happy to support National Family Week, an opportunity for the UK to celebrate and include all families." - Family Fund
Family Week Ltd, Trans-World House, 100 City Road, London EC1Y 2BP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7871 0189 Fax: +44 (0)20 7871 0101
Registered in England No 06617450 VAT No. 796 1695 70 |