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Thursday Oct 19, 2006

Barnardo's AGM and debate in Parliment in London

Hi everyone, an exciting entry this week I think!!

Myself and another young person (who is also a young volunteer)from Barnardo's were asked to take part in Barnardo's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Right where to start....Tuesday 17th October at 6AM everything is packed the night before so head straight off to the airport, as soon as am ready.  Then when we went to check in I knew that the security was tight so when we checked in the lady on the checkin desk said to me I didnt need to check my bag in that it was fine.  I mentioned to her about the security and about how you werent allowed to take certian things on board but she said to me no, you'll be fine no need to do that anymore, you can take it on board with you.  So please bare in mind I was more than willing to check my bag in there and then.  I was with 2 other people from Barnardos North East and she took thier bags as theirs was a lot bigger than mine.  And to be fair it never crossed my mind to put stuff in there bags but wh would when you get told its fine now.  So we go through security, and who gets stopped....Moira, he goes through my bag and takes my toothpaste, deodrant, now  I know its his job but it could be made loads easier if they had of let me check it in when I was going too!  Luckily Hazel lent me some toothpaste and deodrant,. Although I dont think they're going to let me forget that I had it taken off me (haha!!)

So eventually we got to London we have to get the train from the airport to as to Tavistock hotel as we can get, then we only have time to check in dump all our bags in 1 room then head straight to the venue for the AGM.  When we get to the AGM we're starving and we knew that we would get lunchas long as we got thier on time so as usual Moira doesnt notice any1 when she starving and just head straight for the food!  It doesnt stop there though Neera and Julianna the ladies looking after Jonathan and I explained to us what was going to happen.  Neera looked after us for going to parliment and explained what was going to happen there, and Julianna looked after us at the AGM. 

So AGM first;  we sat and watched a play on Poverty by young people from Yorkshire which was really fab. We also had a speech from David Barnardo where he explained he was stepping down as Chairman this year.  Then we listened to what the Martin Narey Cheif Exective of Barnardos UK vision for the future was.  Then came Question Time- where Jonathan an I sat up on stage with David and Martin and answered questions from the audience some of which were on young volunteers.  So it was great opportunity to talk about 'The PARTY!' and 'The V FACTOR' which both Jonathan and I talked about, dont ask how many times I mentioned the word 'V FACTOR'.  They all got invited though!

After some questions from the audience we then got whisked away in a taxi to Parliment where both Jonathan and I took part in a debate on Child Poverty where we talked about what it was like living in our areas in our situations.  Which were both different which they said was really good to see.  My bit was around living in a rural area with a disability.  We were only suppsoe to speak for 5minutes I think but think we went slightly over.haha!  Was interesting being at Parliment we then met with the MP for Hartlepool who showed us around and took us for tea.  Really special treatment as we went to places in there that normally wouldnt be allowed.

Then we went off again this time not to do any speaking but for a treat to watch 'Footloose' at the theatre, it was difficult to get into at first but was really great.  Was worth watching.  Great craic so it was!  Then we went for a meal across the road from the theatre which needed badly but was really difficult to eat as we were so so tired!  Seens as we were up from 6 that morning (hehe) we got to bed about 12.30 i think

Then the next day wasnt as hectic we got up and went shopping.  We went to Harrods and whoa you need to be rich to go in there me thinks! but at least i can say ive been to Harrods  Then we went for something to eat then got train back to Newcastle then I went to bed about 8 and slept til 9.30 this morning.

So all in all we had a really busy 2 days which was great and can I just say thanks to Hazel for taking us down to London and for all her help-including her toothpaste etc ; ) haha!  Thanks Hazel

And today i decided to just chill!

 

Posted by Moira ( 1:10 PM )
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