MB3 update. By Marya Hemmings

Overview

The Mulberry Bush Third Space or MB3 is a picturesque and peaceful rural site in the heart of the Cotswolds just 12 miles from Cheltenham. We provide indoor and outdoor space for conferences, training courses, workshops, seminars, study and research and for use by schools, clubs and groups.

The meadow can cater for a variety of outdoor activities, such as mindfulness and meditative relaxation and is ideal for schools and youth groups offering outdoor education and camping including a fire-pit.

Our indoor accommodation offers conference facilities, as well as shared self-catering accommodation for up to 22 people.

 

Archives and Special Collections update

Researching in the PET ArchivesCollections management

The team has created over a hundred new collection descriptions to promote the archives and make the materials we hold more accessible.

They have been working hard to bring items from individual collections together physically in the stores. This will help us better manage the papers going forward, and make it easier to provide access. This quarter they have worked on The Mulberry Bush papers, the PETT papers and the Cassel Hospital materials. Dr Tom Harrison has been a great help to the team to improve the management of the Harold Bridger collection.

Recruiting volunteers

The team is looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals or small groups who would like to help us sort, clean and list our unique collections of books, pamphlets and journals. No previous experience necessary, although familiarity with Microsoft Word would be advantageous. Please email your name, the days/times you are available and a brief outline of why you want to volunteer with us to [email protected]

MB3 on the road and at home

We have visited Her Majesty’s Young Offender Institute (HMYOI) Werrington to look at how we can support them in developing their staff reflective groups and to organise a joint conference regarding the Youth Justice Services.

We are working with the justice service to put on a one day event regarding the work of TC and Enabling Environments within the prison sector.

We are working with Community Housing and Therapy (CHT) and the Youth Custody Service (YCS) to host a conference regarding the use of Formulation within the different services and their effectiveness.

We have also been in discussions with the local village hall about collaborative activities and how we can work together to stage local events for the community.

We attended the Therapeutic Communities Research Day at University of Nottingham in February, where we learnt about current research in the field. We had a great day talking to academics about what the Archives can do to support their work now and into the future.

We’ve been making connections within the Archives sector too, attending a meeting of the Charity Archivists and Record Manager Group in London. We shared news of the changes at the Archive over the last 12 months and made great connections with archivists and records managers in similar organisations.

The meadow

A yurt

Our Yurt is on track to arrive and be ready to use by May. We’re really looking forward to seeing people use the space in creative ways. With warmer weather on the way we will be bringing out the telescopes for stargazing and the croquet set again!

The children from Mulberry Bush School will be camping with us again this year. We always enjoy seeing them having fun in the meadow and this spring they can try out our new fire pit cooking pots.

 

Upcoming events at MB3 (subject to confirmation)

Our ‘Reflect, Experience, Act’ series

REAs what are they?  REA stands for ‘Reflect, Experience, Act‘ – These events allow spaces for individuals and groups to Reflect on themselves and the way that they work with others. Working as a ‘temporary community’, you will experience workshops, discussion groups and case study opportunities and have time to plan practical strategies to create more reflective and therapeutic environments in their workplaces.

These are the 3 aspects of reflective practice that MB3 is able to provide spaces for. We have designed 3 events for specific groups.

REA  – July

A two and a half day training event for school staff entitled ‘Working Together for Wellbeing’. This event has been designed to offer the opportunity for reflection on individuals work and role in a collegial ‘facilitated temporary learning community’.

REA  – September

A unique three day experiential training for those working in education, social care and multi-disciplinary settings. This training will be supportive for anyone working in a multi-disciplinary teams in prison, social care and mental health services for adults.

REA  – October

A unique two day experiential training for those working with children and young people in education, social care and multidisciplinary settings. This training will increase your team awareness and performance in relation to multi-disciplinary work in Schools, Children’s Homes and other clinical settings.

AEE event

AEE stands for Active Education Event and the first event is called  ‘Working in Turbulent Environments‘. This is a two day event in partnership with The Mulberry Bush, University of Essex, Institute of Group Analysis (IGA) and The Consortium of Therapeutic Communities (TCTC). This event will be for front line staff working with challenging people in complex settings.

Our First Birthday Party

We will be celebrating our First Birthday with an event at MB3 on Wednesday 15th July (subject to confirmation).

If you would like to take part in any of the above events please contact [email protected] or on 01242 621200 and we will let you know when the events are to be rescheduled.

Don’t forget that we are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as having our own page on The Mulberry Bush website.

You can also download a copy of the MB3 newsletter here, containing all the above.

 

 

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