The Peace Education Programme NEWS

A report by lead volunteers Ronnie Cray and Chrissie Waite.

In January a live introductory session was presented to project leaders of a volunteer organisation which supports offenders in the Truro and Plymouth Magistrates Courts. As a result they are now in discussions on the best way to use PEP in their work, and how they can progress with it to support their staff, volunteers and clients. This will hopefully lead to us presenting a Peace Education Programme Taster/Sampler session followed by a full 10-week programme to the combined volunteer teams from Truro and Plymouth. 

Last August, 2023, in the heart of rural Powys in Wales, a full Virtual 10-week PEP was completed for a group associated with those recovering from substance and alcohol abuse. Following the initial effort in Wales, the lead contact now wants this project involving PEP to continue in Cornwall, and is already in discussions with Cornwall County Council for more PEP courses to be delivered there. 

 A long-term supporter of TPRF is the parent of the CEO of a business in Cornwall who would like PEP to be a part of their well-being programme. They are currently inviting 40 of their staff to attend a taster/orientation session where a shortened PEP session will be presented to them. They can individually decide whether they would like to join the full 10-week programme.  

Virtual PEPs in the UK: 

In December, 2023, a second Virtual PEP for 19 supporters of TPRF was completed. They will be helping with Peace Education Programme outreach efforts around the U.K.. They have begun forming new teams in the communities where they live or have joined with existing teams, some of which were formed after the first Virtual PEP of this kind was completed last August. 

A third Virtual PEP for 35 supporters of TPRF was started in February of this year. Again it is for those helping with the PEP outreach efforts around the UK. 

On Tuesday 19th March a Virtual PEP began for Peace Partners volunteers and others who have asked to be participants in a PEP. This is aimed at people who will help bring PEP to other organisations and institutions. 

We have been continuing our work with TPRF on the development of their educational version of PEP for schools, colleges and universities. 

And we are excited to be collaborating with a Prooptiki PEP team in Greece (contact Pericles, [email protected]), providing the online platform for the weekly virtual sessions of the Programme for a group of 12 participants.