12th September 2023
FREE to network members
£15 for Non-Members
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.
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.
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 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.