Northumberland ‘Improving reach’ Equality & Diversity Project
This project aims to build collaboration between VCS diversity-focused organisations in Northumberland through networking, and then with public and private sector bodies by establishing a Northumberland VCS Equalities Forum. This group will
• Enable collaboration and networking between VCS agencies from each of the six diversity strands recognised in the Single Equalities legislation plus rural exclusion.
• Improve VCS organisations’ reach to excluded groups, including support to smaller specialist diversity organisations, especially in rural settings.
• Work with public bodies and excluded groups to ensure that diversity perspectives are heard and embedded in consultation and engagement activities, and to establish a multi-sectoral forum that can also link into regional structures and strategies.
• Raise the profile of equality issues in Northumberland, particularly in rural areas, and contribute local expertise on rural exclusion to the wider VCS equalities field
• Build expertise in tackling rural racism and share this with other VCS networks
• Develop a VCS based ‘community diversity champions’ group through training and mentoring, who will support existing community groups and help to develop new ones within their communities.
• Work together on equalities awareness-raising and delivering accredited training with and for the public and private sectors.
• Highlight the support needs of migrant workers and their families new to Northumberland and develop a joint VCS strategy for improving their access to its services.
The project is overseen by a steering group taken from the Northumberland VCS Consortium, and managed by NCDN, with development work carried out by NCDN member agencies on a sub-contracted basis. The proposal also includes resources to continue an existing youth apprenticeship post, in order that a young person from an excluded community can offer administrative support to the Forum and its programme, as well as to take part in relevant training and gain a further qualification.
Feedback from the project's most recent event on 11th October 'Equality & Diversity in orthumberland - How are We Doing?' included ideas for improving performance on equality and diversity:
• Channel all information about E&D developments in Northumberland through a single source
• Virtual networks (some forums get ‘blocked’ unnecessarily)
• Meetings are OK sometimes but you won’t get everyone’s views who attend
• Young leader/Young Mayor would give a srong message
• People will make the time if they feel it will make a real difference
• Make getting to meetings easier for those who don’t drive (share information on how to get a lift)
• Pool resources for ‘bigger benefits’ & greater flexibility
We want to be involved in
-“Something Fun”
- Arts – “expressing your feelings through Art”
- Some form of recognition for time spent (rewards for young people)
-‘Buddy’ system for new participants (prepare people to get involved – know what to expect & what is expected form them)
- Produce material e.g. DVD signing, subtitles – where there is a timescale
- Venue-microphone, loop – finding out who the person is who is who is responsible for arranging event – are interpreters needed etc.
- Disability & Equality officers should be responsible for advising/educating those people who write policies etc.
- abc for policy writing which includes aiding the writing to enable understanding for deaf people and other excluded groups
- allow people to choose how they wish to be consulted and to what level
