Circles South West Conference: A Day of Learning and Networking at Taunton Racecourse
On June 29th, the picturesque Taunton Racecourse played host to the Circles South West conference. This year’s event brought together around 60 delegates, all eager to engage in a day filled with insightful workshops, networking opportunities, and a delectable buffet lunch.
The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from the organisers, setting a positive tone for the day. We started with an introduction by Michael Sheath followed by a powerful performance from Geese Theatre entitled ‘The Wife’ which offered an account of a woman whose husband has been arrested for downloading child sexual exploitation material and the impact of that on his family.
Attendees were then invited to participate in a variety of workshops, each designed to provide valuable knowledge and practical skills. Topics ranged from a public health approach for the prevention of first-time sexual offending to the topic of young people and sexual offending, ensuring there was something of interest for everyone.
Delegates were offered a choice of three workshops in the morning, three in the early afternoon and three in the late afternoon.
Workshops that were offered:
- Restorative Processes in a Risk Management Framework
- Supporting young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
- Relationships, sex and health education: ideology v research
- Towards a public health approach for the prevention of first-time sexual offending Understanding and responding to sibling sexual behaviour/abuse
- ‘First do no harm.’ A consideration of the experience of partners of men under investigation for possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material.’
- Breaking the Cycle – a support programme for partners and ex-partners of men who have been arrested or convicted of sexual offences.
- Understanding the influence of online pornography on sexual violence
- A brief exploration of the programmes provided by HMPPS for men with a learning disability who have a sexual conviction
One of the highlights of the day was the buffet lunch, which offered a delicious array of dishes. Delegates enjoyed the chance to relax and network with peers over a meal, fostering connections and strengthening old friendships.
The event concluded with a plenary session, where key takeaways from the workshops were shared, and delegates had the opportunity to discuss their experiences and insights. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the quality of the workshops and the overall organisation of the event.
The Circles South West conference at Taunton Racecourse was a resounding success, leaving delegates inspired and equipped with new ideas to take back to their respective fields. The organisers are already looking forward to the next event, aiming to build on this year’s success and continue to support the professional development of those working in community safety and offender rehabilitation.
