Steve and I have just returned from a
whirlwind visit to Malta and its smaller sister island, Gozo. As many of
you are aware, we lived in Gozo up until April of this year. The purpose of the visit was to promote my
debut novel, Known to Social Services, which was the number one social work
book on Amazon UK. Also to raise awareness for my new book, Gozo Is the Grass
Greener? Which is an account of our move to Gozo from the UK in December 2010.
Monday 28th September
First stop was to the Lotus tal-Qalb
Centre in Gharb, Gozo, where we received an enthusiastic welcome from a group of
about 30 people. I am indebted to Sue Lister for extending the invitation to
me, and to my dear friend Penny Dix for suggesting it in the first place.
A warm welcome from Penny
Thank you to everyone who came along to listen
My dear friend Pat has her copy signed
I think this was a fairly orderly queue for books!
Thanks Janet!
Our Valda!
I know Jackie is one of many people who has read BOTH books
It
was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, where we met old friends and new and were
pleased to have some brisk book sales J
BIG thank you to Sue for organising the event
Many thanks to you all for your
hospitality.
Tuesday 29th September
We made the short trip over to Malta
where I delivered an evening talk to the Maltese Association of Social Workers.
This was a mutually informative evening where I shared information regarding
social work in the UK, and learned how my colleagues in Malta work.
With Faraxa Director Joanne Micallef
Book signing with senior lecturer Charles Pace
Known to Social Services proved very popular!
There is a marked difference in the way
the two countries approach the issues within social work, which provoked a lively
discussion. Again, the book was in demand, with other social workers bringing
existing copies for me to sign.
Many thanks to the organisers for
inviting me here.
Wednesday 30th September
Wednesday saw us up bright an early for
an 8am lift to the ferry, which took us back to Gozo for a morning talk at the
Oasi Centre in Victoria. Oasi is a non-profit organisation which offers vital
help and support to people struggling with addictions of drugs or alcohol.
The audience at Oasi - front seats filled up later!
Speaking to an audience of social
workers, counsellors and teachers, as well as members of the public, I firstly addressed
the issue of alcohol addiction and its negative impact on children and their
families
Using real case examples in the form of
genograms, I then spoke on both positive and negative case outcomes in families
where drug addiction had been a major factor.
Again, there was relevant discussion
and ideas from all parties, with great interest in the book.
This lady bought a copy for her son who is in the UK doing social work
Our dear friends Honor and Manwel get their copy signed
The Guidance Teachers in the Anti-Substance Abuse Service
Julia Crosthwaite, Director of Jules Gozo Holidays gets her copy
Kind thanks to the organisers for the invitation.
Friday 2nd October
Friday was a busy day; I was
interviewed by Sarah Carabott of the Times of Malta. The article will appear in
the paper in the very near future.
With Sarah Carabott of The Times of Malta
Later in the day, we went to the
University of Malta where I delivered a talk to students and staff. Using
exercises, I tried to demonstrate some of the issues faced by children who have
to enter the Care System. I also gave another case example, where an accurate
assessment of the presenting risks to the children had been essential to the
case.
With Director of Faraxa Books Joanne Micallef and Sarah who helped to organise the event
I am grateful to the organisers for the
invitation.
Book signings with students and staff. Here with the Head of the Social Work Department, Maureen Cole
This was a busy but successful week for
us. We also had some time to catch up with good friends in Gozo, though we did
not get to see as many people as we would have liked.
Waiting for our lift - see the cruise ship in the background
I would like to say a big thank you to
my ever supportive husband Steve for all his help, and also to Joanne Micallef,
the director of publishers Faraxa who are responsible for putting both books
into print. Joanne’s assistance in getting around in both Malta and Gozo was
essential to the smooth running of the itinerary, which I am pleased to say,
cyclones and storms aside, went without a hitch J
Known to Social Services and Gozo Is
the Grass Greener? Are both available via Amazon. They are also available in
bookshops in Gozo and Malta or direct from Faraxa.
I am currently working on the sequel to
Known to Social Services, which will be about child trafficking.
Freya
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