Lulastic

Hello! Am searching Tinternet for free baby first aid courses. I was sure there were some around locally when I had my first child but now I can only find expensive ones. Can you help? Thanks!

Hellooo I am giving away a couple of book on my blog (winner being called tonight, so last day!) I think lots of you lovely locals might be interested (plus, er, then I can drop it off, if you win, and not spend a billion pounds on posting them to the outer hebridies hehe) so please do pop along and enter! http://lulastic.co.uk/parenting/best-reads-for-pregnancy-and-parenting-and-a-giveaway/ It is part of a blog post on the books and online places I have loved the most during pregnancy and new motherhood. Thanks!! xx

Wednesday night's info: http://www.facebook.com/events/188994984568305/

Londonmix, yeah, sorry. That last sentence of mine was uncalled for. I have (apart from perhaps when I was being a bit over sensitive) valued your input on this thread. Worker, I think you are right. It is tricky. I guess we'll just navigate it all as we go. Personally, I'm still excited. And the film is really interesting...

Shiver my timbers, Londonmix, it is REALLY hard not to be offended by your comments, you know. I have worked for over ten years in policy, international development and community organising. I know exactly what is "involved in formulating an informed position on a complex issue and the focus required to then work on that issue to make a difference." After working with hundreds of groups and networks, on a huge range of issues, in campaigining and training, I realise that what it takes, more than anything, are people who are optimistic and determined enough to use the skills and resources they have to be part of a movement for a more just world. I chose the abolitionists specifically because their task was so huge - not at all singular, it encompassed a huge variety of injustices and it took them decades to actually target the transatlantic slave trade. Finally, of course, attendance isn't compulsory. Just leave it to us dreamers, but there is no need to drag the whole concept of "ordinary people trying to make a difference" down.

LondonMix - I'm confused, I am not sure you read my last post, in which I agreed that having expert input is vital- we will aim for this. I added that there is another empowering model, which we also aim to support, which is pooling knowledge. In a previous post I agreed with another poster, and once again agree with you, that tapping into existing organisational goals can be vital too - already Oxfam is involved and we will be looking for other campaigns to support. Whenever I have tried to describe what the cafe is I have used the words "discuss" and "act" - two pillars that are critical for "making the world a better place" - as opposed to just a social gathering for like minded people. Sometimes when like-minded people with good intentions get together with social justice on the brain, big things happen. I suspect the abolitionists who first met in a room down the road in Clapham spent quite a lot of time to-ing and fro-ing and working out what they could do with their limited resources and knowledge, but there they began a campaign that ended the transatlantic slave trade. Sometimes you just need to try things, in order to play a part in changing things.

Hi Londonmix- an EXCELLENT example. Although often when I have been in a group discussion I have found that the pooled knowledge and consequential discussion has been brilliant and intelligent and even nuanced and complex AND sometimes even more liberated and empowering that when having a Q and A with an expert. (Though don't get me wrong, I love an expert and would love to have Q and A's) Of course, sometimes you just end up having a fierce, subjective debate, with poor humour involved, but them's the apples I guess and we'll try and avoid it when possible.

@Marmora Man Hoping you might have smiled a tiny, little bit. It would be really good if you dropped in @LondonMix Yep, I really appreciate what you are saying. Wouldn't it be brilliant to have an expert in? That would be our aim for every other one perhaps. I do think films are a really important starting point too though, because people's real-life stories are just as critical. However, I don't agree - and it's been mentioned already- that people are uninformed and just talk opinionated nonsense that is unhelpful. I think *that* is the patronising view. We are aiming to link into the framework of existing campaigns/ organisations too - on Wednesday I'll be bringing up Oxfam's food campaign, but really hope other people will bring other options for action too. As you can see, we have thought it through only so far, we are having our first one in order to get the wheels turning and are inviting other wise souls to be a part of the forming stage too.

Ah yeah, everyone, sorry, oops, forgot to mention the "membership" bit - so if you come along on Wednesday you have to sign your name in blood, on a covenant whereby you make me the President of this Organisation and also the Universe, and sign up to my misinformed views and then also give me a million pounds in fees to further them. OR, alternatively, you could just come along, watch an amazing film, discuss whether the World Bank is a hero or a villain, share some of the local solutions you know for our food system, and then keep your eyes peeled for the next cafe, decide if you want to come along again or not. And not sign anywhere, and not belong to anything, but just occasionally do something like this together with other people in the neighbourhood. *already regretting this jest but just can't help it*

Argh. Obviously I am getting the tone of this forum completely wrong. I used to be on here a lot, a couple of years ago, but things seem to have changed a bit... or maybe I am being a bit sensitive/ communicating rubbishly. @peckhamgatecrasher I was jesting, in the same way this whole thread has had a jesting theme. (Well, a mocking me theme really *sobs*) I was also trying to be a bit clever, getting the poster's name wrong and then talking about the problem with the name. And also, don't worry, I am not a leader, just someone telling people about it - next time I'll make sure someone else does this bit! @Hugeonot On that point- there IS a problem with the name, that is evident. We'll change it once we can have a good old conversation about it. And in terms of the agenda- we are NO-ONE and EVERYONE- Oxfam is a bit involved, a local arts collective a bit involved, the Cafe a bit involved. We want others to collaborate and decided the (social justice) agenda - which is why I originally posted. And to the other haterzzz, lots and lots and LOTS of people have been in touch about this- clearly it IS something that people want to be involved in, people DO have the same lack of time and capacity but want to discuss and act on social justice issues together. If only we were all a bit more sixth form, with our frontal lobes in tact, we might actually put up less with a world where the government dismantles our NHS in front of our eyes and the World Bank furthers policies that put more people in poverty. *patronising rant over* So, wooo! See you all on Wednesday :D :D :D *crawls under desk for a world-weary sleep*

Dear Rosie H and Chippy Minton Thank you. You have restored my faith in humanity, Yours, Lulastic PS- Mammary Man, I think you have just gotten caught up with something as superficial as the name of the thing. Clearly in the further description it IS about engagement, discussion, participation, understanding and action. (Though hopefully not fundraising *YAWN* although could be) I hope you come along and find us a better name.

Hi Marmora Man, Yep, I can see your point. I guess I am coming from a circle of people who do just generally care about a "more just world" - the cafe is a direct response to groups that take one issue and mobilise around that. Because actually myself, and many of my friends, care about LOADS of issues - the environment, the NHS, the Arms Trade, the food system- but don't have the time to be involved in any significant way with any of them. The Protest Cafe is about carving out a space to doing SOMETHING on ONE of them, one evening at a time. Each event is open to the public so everyone can dip in and out depending on if they want to find out more/ do something about that particular thing. To me, that just makes sense. The film is Best Before- it is about the London Food Revolution and is brilliant. Sadly the cake eating is fairly simple, Maxxi, so not sure it will float your boat.

Thanks Hoona! Ali56 - the cafe is on street level, no steps, and a toilet on the same level but it isn't a specific disabled toilet I'm afraid. Do you think it might be okay?

In terms of the issues- we will decide as a group what to work on but fairly sure they will be of a social justice nature, either local issues of global issues.

Phew, thought for a moment I had gone mad ever thinking this was a good idea! Hehe. I think having the space to dicuss an then decide we can do is really key - hope to see you there! Lucy