In November 2019, following the departure of Steve Gowenlock, Anne Spiers was appointed the new acting CEO of MCFB. Anne has extensive experience both working directly with children and families and as a practice educator in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. She started working at MCFB in 2016, initially employed as a Project Leader for groupwork and was later appointed Depute CEO. Philippa Kemp, MCFB's Office and Communication Manager, spoke to her about the new role.

How do you feel about taking on the role of Acting Chief Executive?

Anne: Excited, daunted and supported! My colleagues have been so supportive in encouraging me to apply and have all “stepped up” with me to the challenge of carrying on the wonderful work of MCFB.

You have worked in a mixture of settings in both the statutory and third sector. What do you see as being the main challenges faced by BME families we support and what makes MCFB unique in the way it supports them?

Anne: Our families share the challenges that many do in Scottish society currently: poverty and its impact on family life is one of the most pervasive influences impacting a person's capacity to keep good mental health and stay connected with others. Our families, some newly arrived, can experience barriers to accessing routes out of these circumstances, caused by language barriers, racism, cultural difference and lack of knowledge. This makes it harder for them to access the sort of support that others may be more connected to or included in. Children often struggle when parents find coping difficult, so the family support, group work, therapeutic approaches and advocacy offered by experienced and informed staff ensures that children can flourish at home, school and in the community.

Have you always wanted to work in this sector?

Anne: I have long been aware of the work of MCFB. I found the social justice approach that influences the work here to be attractive and as a Practice Educator, I was always very interested in the opportunities that the agency offered to social work students. The opportunities to work with real specialists in their separate areas that is on offer to students of social work and art therapy is so varied that students can often be involved in work with people that would rarely be on offer to them in other settings. The agency has a good reputation for supporting students and families with whom we work and we, as an agency, benefit greatly from their enthusiasm, experience and energy! The agency actively seeks to work with others who support children and families and we regularly engage in partnerships to bring about positive outcomes, provide support and influence change.

Finally, how would you sum up 2019 and what are your hopes for 2020?

Anne: This year saw us settle back in to our (old) new home by deciding to renew the lease for 50 Coburg Street. We have, as ever, made new friends/partners (too many to mention), we have stayed good friends with our neighbours - thank you Ostara, Sikh SanJog and many others. We have launched new projects and funded ongoing ones: Bright Choices @MCFB, our TEAM project with Big Hearts, the Mosaic project with The Junction Leith. We have helped launch a cookbook with our Mums' group and we have provided 30+ placements for social work students, welcomed new staff and attracted new volunteers to offer their skills and expertise in many different ways. 

In answer to the question about my hopes for the approaching new year, I would have to honestly say….that I am looking forward to more of the same!