Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

There were 2 meetings today, both of which were connected with our Town Centre in Stockton, where and how it can develop better to meet everyone's needs.  I left the second meeting on a high for a change,  as we talked about some good, interesting and challenging ideas with a real chance of everyone being on board.  If you have ideas about positive ways forward (not what happened in the past!!) please do get in touch.

At 6.45 p.m. I was still in the meeting, and with an almost record breaking quick change at home was off to an evening event 30 minutes later.  I was very interested and encouraged to meet Chris Taylor and his wife.  Chris is the North West Regional Representative of "Networking Women in the Fire Service".  The organisation, to quote from the website as it puts it better than I could, says :

In 1993, the NWFS was established as a self-help group for women in the Fire and Rescue Service. Over the past 13 years, NWFS has sought to influence the equality agenda, engaging with the major players in order to have the voice of all women in the Fire and Rescue Service heard.

NWFS is an independent voluntary group of people who aim to contribute to making the Fire and Rescue Service a place where women and men can work together harmoniously and professionally.

Do take a look at the website though, it is very interesting, and I do wonder how many organisations have something similar to this, or tap into it.  If not, why not ?  I have long been a believer in supporting women in public life, particularly as an elected representative.  Believe you me it has been needed in this area over the last 27 years.  There are times I think there is less need, but something said tonight reminded me that, yes, just because a number of us have survived and adapted does not mean that there is not still a need.