In-person event

Fostering Connections: Understand Fostering & Attachment, Supporting Children & Families

12th September 2023

FREE to network members

£15 for Non-Members

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Event Detail

Date: Tuesday 12th September 

Time: Doors 12pm Event 12.30pm -2pm 

Location: The La Mon Hotel, 41 Gransha Rd, Comber, Belfast, Newtownards BT23 5RF 

Cost: Members free, Non-Members £15  

Tea/Coffee and Scones on arrival

Join Dave Linton, Founder of Madlug as he explains his journey of working with children in care and the creation of MADLUG. Madlug is an award-winning bag brand that stands for ‘make a difference luggage’.  Most children and young people in care have their belongings moved in black plastic bin bags or plastic shopping bags. With every bag purchased from MADLUG, a pack-away travel bag goes to a child in care. Dave is an innovator, social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and the founder and managing director of multi-award-winning Madlug C.I.C.                                                                                                                                            

We will then be joined by Jade Irwin from The Fostering Network who will provide an interactive workshop which will offer attendees a better understanding of supporting children, young people and families in a nurturing and trauma-informed way. It will explore how Step Up Step Down, an innovative fostering service supporting families on the edge of care offers dignity, hope and collaboration to strengthen family bonds and grow in wellness.                                                                

Tea/Coffee and scones will also be available on arrival, from 12pm.

Who Should Attend?

The event is open to both members and non-members of the Action Trauma Network and is for anyone who wants to broaden their understanding of fostering, attachment, trauma-informed practice and relational approaches, and gain skills to support children, young people and families to flourish.

Why Should You Attend?

• Engage in an opportunity to connect and collaborate with other individuals and organisations.
• Hear how one man’s commitment to change-making has impacted the lives of thousands of children in care, in Northern Ireland. 
• Gain a broader sense of how to hold person-centred, nurturing space with children, young people and families in need.  
• Understand more about what being on the edge of care means, and how foster carers supporting whole families can lead to meaningful and sustainable change. 
• Explore the impact that adversity and trauma can have upon families.   
• Improve knowledge of how to provide emotional and practical support to families in need, and learn more about how the Step Up Step Down model does this.  
• Develop skills and confidence in providing effective support that truly considers the whole person within their wider context, and builds the wellbeing of children, young people and families.

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Meet the Speakers

Dave Linton

Founder of Madlug.

Most children and young people in care have their belongings moved in black plastic bin bags or plastic shopping bags. Madlug is an award-winning bag brand that stands for ‘make a difference luggage’.  With every bag purchased, a pack-away travel bag goes to a child in care. 

Dave is an innovator, social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and the founder and managing director of multi-award-winning Madlug C.I.C which achieved B-Corp certification in 2022.   

Prior to beginning his journey with Madlug, Dave was a youth worker for over 20 years and for the past eight years he has also become heavily involved in mentoring and raising awareness of social enterprises and social businesses. 

Following a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign with Madlug over the summer of 2017, Dave was given opportunity to have brunch with Sir Richard Branson in what was a great opportunity to share the story of Madlug with a global business leader. In 2019 Dave went on to win the prestige titles of GBEA Entrepreneur of the year for Northern Ireland and Entrepreneur for Good for the UK. 

Dave is extremely passionate about using Madlug to influence a new young generation of social entrepreneurs. 

Jade Irwin

Jade Irwin is the Head of Step Up Step Down at The Fostering Network, leading on support with families on the periphery of care. According to Jade, she has the best job in the world! Jade is also a trustee for YMCA Ireland and is a firm believer in empowering and collaborating with young people. She loves coffee, long walks by the sea, playing guitar and any excuse for a laugh. Most of all, Jade loves hearing and sharing real-life, true stories and appreciates honest human encounter.