Events
Below is a detailed list of forthcoming events:
RAL ANNUAL WRITING COMPETITION:
The Rape and Abuse Line announces the opening of the annual short story competition on the 1st July 2008. The event will run until 31st October 2008 and will be open to writers submitting a short story of between 1500 and 1800 words. The rules can be downloaded from this web site. Please read them carefully before entering your stories.
The organisers would like see a short story continuing on from the opening few words ‘If it hadn’t been for that telephone call………..…’
This could be a received call bringing good news, bad news or any thing in between. The telephone call may only be the start of something more important; it may refer to a call that the lead character makes and which has life changing consequences for themselves or someone else. The scope is endless so unleash your imagination and put together a gripping or entertaining tale.
The subject does not have to be related to our organisation or what we represent and can cover any topic connected to a telephone call that the writer imagines.
Our judge will be the novelist and popular columnist Jane Wenham-Jones (www.janewenham-jones.com ) and our main sponsor is the David St John Thomas Writing Trust in Nairn, to whom we are extremely grateful for the donation of the cash prizes.
Borders Books, Boots and Tesco have also donated prizes which are listed in the rules and to whom we also extend our thanks for their support.
This is a great opportunity to put your imagination to good use and to exercise those writing abilities that perhaps you thought you had left behind at school. If you are a regular story writer then here is an opportunity to compete against other authors for cash prizes and a chance to be the first winner of the Rape and Abuse Line writing competition.
Pick up your pen or set to work on your computer and write a story that is stimulating, entertaining, humorous, thought provoking or simply a good read. The prizes alone make entering the competition worthwhile. The achievement and satisfaction of writing a good story will be even greater. We hope you will all enjoy both entering and also discovering or developing your writing talent.
Download a RULES FORM and ENTRY FORM.
If you don’t enter you can’t win. Good luck to everyone.
CONFERENCE: 11th & 12th September 2008
RAL are arranging a conference – “Supporting Survivors” – on Thursday 11th & Friday 12th Septemer 2008 to be held in the Ross County Football Club conference suites in Dingwall.
We have been fortunate to secure Dave Mearns – Emeritus Professor of Counselling at Strathclyde University to head the team of speakers, his only 2008 speaking engagement. Fellow speakers at the conference will be Jan Hawkins – Founder of Diploma Course for practitioners working with survivors of childhood abuse, Elke Lambers – Director of supervision training with Person Centred Training, Alison Shoemark – Director of Counselling Diploma Course at Aberdeen University, Martyn Sullivan – Chief Executive of Manking UK and Alan Brown – a team leader of a student counselling service within Strathclyde University.
The conference is aimed at professionals who have an interest in abuse counselling of all types with person centred support and who also feel that they would benefit professionally from the information exchange at the conference – and of course, certificates will be issued to all those attending the two day event which will be an asset towards their Personal Development Files.
With such a prominent line up of speakers, places will be limited and early booking is advised. Tickets will be £140 for the two days with an inclusive lunch on both days and refreshements in the morning and afternoon breaks.
The conference will commence at 10am with registration at 9.30am on Thursday 11th and will close after workshop feedback around 3.30pm on the final day. Anyone wishing to attend the Thursday evening meal and entertainment at the Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall should indicate their intentions when booking.
An information pack with details of accommodation and travel schedules is available by emailing ral@pobox10.wanadoo.co.uk or telephoning the office answering service on 01349 865316.
This will be an important event for the Highland and regional Health Professionals – and anyone involved in abuse counselling and person centred support with such eminent speakers together on one platform.
Put the dates in your diary and book your seat soon.
0808 800 0123 Answered by women on most evenings from 7pm - 10pm
0808 800 0122 Answered by men on selected evenings from 7pm - 10pm
24 hour answer services will provide latest times that lines will be open.