Inspiring Women – Vivien Shaw’s Book Launch
Vivien joined Frodsham WI over ten years ago. She has held various roles including secretary and President.
For 41 years she taught English in local high schools, including Frodsham and Helsby. When she retired after 41 years she wanted to keep working with teenagers; especially teenage boys who she found hilariously funny. Looking around she found the National Youth Advocacy Service who provided Independent Visitors for children in care. It was explained to her that they could be the only people in their lives offering support who were not paid to be there. She was matched with two boys with two foster families living in Runcorn.
Eight years later and many games of bowling later, theme park visiting and theatre going she is still involved with one of the boys who is now a young man. She still offers support to him as his life has become more complex.
Looking into the statistics she was horrified to discover that in the UK there are 107,00 children in care. In some places like Blackpool it is 1:52 children. 10% of children move three or more times.
Having been a teacher and met many children in care and their foster families, Vivien felt there was never a novel around that looked at this subject. So, using her experiences in teaching and with NYAS she decided to write her own.
“The Day That Changed My Life” was published in March this year. It features an 11 year old Harvey who goes into school to his final maths exam and never goes home again. The first chapter, much to the confusion of the editor is 17. That is because at the start of the novel, much of which is in flashback, Harvey is living with the 16th and 17th people who make decisions about him. He feels he never gets to make decisions for himself.
Following a very successful book launch at The Curious Cat, the new bookshop in Frodsham, Vivien is looking to gathering ideas for the next novel, which she expects also to be about a child in care.
So what else does Vivien do In Frodsham WI?
She’s the first face you’ll see on the door as you come in.
You might see her at the Cheshire Show as a steward, having sorted our entries out.
You also might meet her at Manley Copse, pink wheelbarrow to hand, pruning the roses.
