Some thirty-two (32) community-based workers have completed training in Participation Learning and Action (PLA) and Community-Based Research Techniques. The training, which was conducted from 20th to 24th August, is a part of an ongoing collaboration between the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla and the Ministry of Social Development.
The intensive thirty-five-hour training was a follow-up to the UWI Post Disaster Community Psychosocial Intervention Training and the UNICEF Return to Happiness sessions conducted last year and targeted those whose work evolves around and involves the family, children, youth and vulnerable groups in the community.
Facilitators for the sessions were Mrs. Feona Charles from the UWI Mona Social Work Unit (Caribbean Internship Programme), Community Services Planner in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley and Gender Development Coordinator, Dr. Ronya Foy-Connor.
The participants included representatives from the Departments of Social Development, Probation, Youth and Culture, the Royal Anguilla Police Force, HM Prison, Community Centres, Education, and the Church. Throughout the week they were engaged in a number of skills training activities and field visits to help develop and enhance their skills as community/social workers.
Following the training on Friday, 24th August, the enthusiastic participants were presented with their completion certificates by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake and Manager for the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks.
The UWI Open Campus Anguilla and the Ministry of Social Development have expressed their appreciation to all the stakeholders who helped to make the training possible, including, Mrs. Kimberly Heron-Hinds from the UWI Mona Social Work Unit, the Anguilla Social Security Board, D-3 Enterprises, the Department of Youth and Culture, the Anguilla Football Association, Royal Palms and all the departments and agencies that facilitated the participation of their staff members.
– Press Release