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Minority Ethnic and Multi Faith Community Action Report

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Page 1: I Am Wiltshire

1 www.developecs.org.uk I Am Wiltshire

Page 2: I Am Wiltshire

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We help…

Our impact on

Wiltshire’s communities

We help groups recruit and retain volunteers

“These wonderful volunteers [referred by your service] have greatly impacted the lives of the most

vulnerable children and families in the community.”

We help volunteers and staff to be more skilled

and knowledgeable

“Thank you for empowering me to give [social media] a thorough examination and greater

understanding.”

We help groups raise funds

“It was excellent the adviser had researched and looked into our needs – we were not given generic

information but realistic avenues for funding.”

We help groups learn from each other

“It was a useful meeting, there were lots of bodies there with a wealth of knowledge and lots of

different organisations as contacts.”

We help groups to be better run

“I have a good understanding now of how funding should be approach to ensure aims, outcomes and

objectives are covered.”

We help organisations address inequality and

discrimination

“I am concerned that equality issues are slipping down the agenda. Wilshire Equalities Network

provides an umbrella for us all to get together.”

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Introduction The I Am Wiltshire Report has collated information gathered from a programme of work delivered by DEVELOP – Wiltshire’s local Voluntary Sector Development and Support organisation, Wiltshire Council, West Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum, and Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community groups. It has been supported and funded by Wiltshire Council. This programme included a range of activities working alongside BAME and Faith ‘communities’ to improve the understanding between these groups and the statutory sector. Through active dialogue and communication we have been able to identify issues that are areas of concern for BAME and Faith communities and have explored some of the barriers and experiences relating to how they access services and support. DEVELOP Equalities Service acts as a single point of contact for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Wiltshire providing information, training and infrastructure support to build capacity and in this context to help to reduce and eliminate discrimination. Additionally we aim to provide a platform for a strong and influential voice in the work of the public sector on this agenda and are developing and strengthening this, particularly at a local level, through the infrastructure of Community Area Boards. This report summarises our work, provides recommendations and offers a practical Equalities Toolkit for organisations to utilise which is made available through our website www.developecs.org.uk.

Acknowledgements

DEVELOP acknowledges the contributions of many individuals and organisations who have engaged and participated over the past year. An extended thank you to all the black and minority ethnic community groups, faith groups, and to our partners West Wilts Multi Faith Forum and Wiltshire Council.

James Moody

Chairman, DEVELOP

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Contents

We Help… Our Impact on Wiltshire’s Communities ..……………………………………….. 2

Introduction ..…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Programme Aims and Objectives ..…………………………………………………………………… 4

Training and Development ……………………………………………………………………. 5

Area Board Campus Development ………………………………………………………… 5

Group Support ……………………………………………………………………………………… 6

Working with West Wilts Multi Faith Forum …………………………………………. 7

I Am Wiltshire Stories ………………………………………………………………………………………. 8

South West Alliance of Nomads (SWAN)……………………………………………….. 8

Ian Adams …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Sebastian’s Story ………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Recommendations …………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Historical Factors that Create Barriers in Community Engagement ……….. 10

Cultural Factors that Create Barriers in Community Engagement .…………. 10

Practical Factors that Create Barriers in Community Engagement …………. 10

Hate Crime …………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Young People ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

Engagement and Advocacy ………………………………………………………………….. 11

Religion and Faith ………………………………………………………………………………… 12

Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) ………………………………………………. 12

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

Resources and Promoting Equalities ………………………………………………………………… 14

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Programme Aims and Objectives

The overall aim was to develop a network for Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Faith groups to interact, be represented, and to deliver joint action between public and voluntary organisations. On behalf of Wiltshire Council, DEVELOP has researched issues on Equality and Diversity within BAME and Faith groups. This further supports these groups in organisational governance and policy updates which has delivered wider representation overall. We worked with a number of organisations to increase understanding and awareness including Honorary Research, Public Health Department - Dementia Project. (Dementia within BAME communities, accessibility of services and support in Wiltshire, and how organisations can better support people to live well with dementia), the Association for Real Change (Advice on guidelines for service providers, commissioners and policy makers in addressing the needs of people with learning difficulties from ethnic minority communities including new migrants. This information was requested as part of the Here To Stay research project consultation), Black History Month, The Intercom Trust (Supporting lesbian gay bisexual and trans gender (LGBT) people, and communities in the South West), and Heritage Lottery Fund South West (supported to ensure key equality groups in Wiltshire are included in

the mapping exercises). BAME, Faith Cluster events and Community Cohesion Conferences were delivered in partnership with the West Wilts Multi Faith Forum and other voluntary sector partners were via the Project Steering Group. Sessions were held in West, East and South Wiltshire during September to November 2014. Attendees reviewed and discussed a number of key themes e.g. Hate Crime, Young People, Housing, Employment or they chose something additionally important to them and their community. These sessions brought communities together and enabled networking and support opportunities in identifying how people can continue to work together positively in the future.

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Training & Development

Equality and Diversity training sessions for Wiltshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Healthwatch Volunteers plus DEVELOP’s OPEN Training Programme.

42 people were trained in these sessions and learning outcomes included improved understanding in: Understanding what Equality and Diversity means to organisations The Equality Act 2010 Protected Characteristics Discrimination Public Sector Equality Duty Equality Policies that are fit for purpose for the organisation

Resources in the form of an Equality Toolkit were provided to support organisations in implementing the learning and disseminating practice.

Area Board Campus Development

Part of the Single Equalities Service is to embed Equality and Diversity principles within the Area

Campus structure. A training session was delivered to the Chippenham Campus Development Board

and during September 2014 we provided facilitation of the Area Campus Equalities Consultation, with

the participation of 50 attendees.

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Nearly 30 groups and organisations were supported during 2014-2015. These include organisations whose service users are protected under the Equalities Act 2010, or who are looking into making their services and policies fit for purpose to support people within the protected characteristics.

Who did we support?

Community Engagement Officer - Corsham Campus consulting on their future needs around equalities and accessibility.

Salisbury Blind Association to undertake an

Accessibility Check for Salisbury Council’s re-designed website

Highlighted issues for Wiltshire Mosques and

religious leaders linking to legal aspects of Islamic marriages.

North Wiltshire Community Club supported

on issues regarding organisational governance and good practice.

Wiltshire Police liaison on Hate Crime and

emerging themes and considerations West Wilts Multi Faith Forum’s AGM talk on

racism.

Group Support

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Working with West Wiltshire

Multi Faith Forum

West Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum provide for people of all faiths (or no faith) to meet together in friendship, to gain knowledge, respect and understanding, in and around West Wiltshire. They provided a space for people of different backgrounds, cultures and faiths to experience and unite in common shared values found in all faiths and cultures. They delivered a range of activities, a summary of which follows.

AGM “Religious and Racial Discrimination and integration” held in June 2014. Delegates learnt about strands of equalities, the impact of institutional racism and the importance of engagement. Approximately 40 people attended.

Faith and Cultural Awareness Training to

Police Community Support Officers. These training sessions included information and resources on how to manage situations sensitively and increasing confidence in engaging with different faith groups.

Community Event with focus on Carer

Support – members of diverse communities in and around Trowbridge in October 2014 attended this event which provided advice, information and support to carers from BAME communities. It offered a space to encourage Carers to engage with Carer Support Wiltshire and helped individuals to talk with other organisations supporting BAME communities. 37 people attended with 12 Volunteers from a range of BAME communities supporting the running of the event. 49% of the attendees requested additional events.

Community Engagement Meeting in Devizes. 50 people attended this event in December 2014. Hate Crime Event in Trowbridge in January 2014 - 28 people attended.

Highlights

West Wilts Multi Faith Forum and Devizes

Muslim Community utilised the Faith Forum

event earlier in the year to develop a Multi Faith

- Multi Racial Dialogue meeting in December.

Held in Devizes, it covered themes such as

Combating Prejudice, Intolerance, Promoting

Peace and Goodwill.

Further to this work Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum

currently runs a successful Women’s Group

which continues to grow. Many women still

attend English classes, others have moved

towards starting their own business and a

number are volunteering with West Wiltshire

Multi Faith Forum. They also plan to start an

Interfaith Group. Below is a summary of the

difference this work has made as a result of

these activities:

The Intercom Trust supporting lesbian gay

bisexual and Trans gender (LGBT) people, and

communities in the South West. An agreement

now in place to support LGBT people around

providing a Hate Crime support service for

Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Mosques - One Mosque in Wiltshire

working towards registrations to conduct

marriage ceremonies that are legal and

religious compliant.

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I Am Wiltshire Stories

Roger Redding, Chair of The South West Alliance of Nomads (SWAN) received support from DEVELOP during 2014, and now feels able to bridge the gap between the local authorities and gypsy and traveller communities, representing and empowering those communities. The South West Alliance of Nomads (SWAN) helps make links and create better relationships and understanding amongst the Settled and travelling communities throughout the South West. Roger heard about DEVELOP after receiving an email about one of the group meetings he attended. Roger liked working with a local organisation that has local knowledge, connections and contact with Wiltshire Council and other local groups. Through this joint working Roger represented the views of the gypsy and traveller community to the local authorities. The organisation is now in a position to assist and provide information to local authorities regarding the needs of the gypsy and traveller community and participate in the assessments of building new sites.

South West Alliance of Nomads

(SWAN)

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Ian Adams

Ian volunteers at the Revelation Christian Resource Centre in Chippenham twice a week and is enjoying meeting people and doing something purposeful. In May 2012 Ian was knocked off his bike on his way to work and sustained a brain injury. Due to this injury he has been unable to return to his previous job and felt that he needed something to get him out of the house and meet people again. He believes that staying at home with nothing to do was not helping in his recovery. Ian came met with Wiltshire Volunteer Centre run which is run by DEVELOP. Here Ian was matched with a Volunteer Mentor before he started volunteering. His mentor’s support has been incredibly helpful in giving Ian motivation and momentum in continually looking for the right opportunity. Ian felt that this process increased his confidence.

The church has always been important in Ian’s life and he found out about this opportunity through another volunteer at the Revelation Christian Resource Centre. He really enjoys interacting with people, both other staff in the shop and the customers. Ian gets particular satisfaction when he is able to give customers helpful advice especially when they come back and ask for more recommendations from him. He also feels that having to organise his day and giving it structure, has helped him.

Sebastian feels volunteering with Chippenham FM has widened his social circle with others who enjoy similar music. He also feels he is benefiting from having more responsibilities and independence.

Sebastian’s main hobby is listening to and being on radios, either radio stations or a taxi radio service and he has always dreamed of being more involved with either. Luckily for Sebastian, Volunteer Centre Wiltshire had just had a new opportunity with Chippenham FM, which Sebastian was keen to find out more. Sebastian met with Station Manager, Andy Thatcher, who was impressed with Sebastian’s enthusiasm for folk music. Sebastian now volunteers on Chippenham FM every Tuesday evening from 7 – 8 pm and is enjoying his new volunteer role. Sebastian would recommend volunteering to anyone!

Sebastian’s Story

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Recommendations

Historical Factors that create barriers in community

engagement

-An absence of feedback from previous involvement consultations reduced motivation to attend further discussions. There also exists a lack of trust in authority figures.

-Community members do not understand their role in civic society and how they can contribute.

-BAME communities want to be included and invited to events by local dignitaries such as councillors and MPs.

Recommendation

Improved feedback

mechanisms and

communication routes

between statutory,

voluntary and community

services.

Cultural Factors that create barriers in community

engagement

Internal conflicts within characteristic groups demonstrated a lack of:

-Leadership and clarity in how to solve internal issues effectively -Solidarity when challenging or highlighting issues -Motivation and empowerment – feeling unable to make a difference -Shared cause – common goals

Recommendation

Increased peer interpreters

for effective understanding

and information exchange

Practical Factors that create barriers in community

engagement

-Time poor due to work/family commitments when attending events or volunteering -Timing of events is a significant factor to inclusive engagement -Childcare arrangement — crèche facilities to be made available -For some communities men give their permission for women to attend therefore relationship building with the whole family is crucial. -Organisations may not pay travel expenses for community ‘leader’ or ‘representative’ to attend – this creates non engagement.

-Majority of BAME find socialising within family and friends and supporting one another sufficient. In many ways they are volunteering informally.

Recommendations

Ensure meetings are held in different

locations and flexible times including

weekends.

Identify new ways to measure

informal volunteering through a

Community Impact model.

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Hate Crime

Consultations highlighted a number of incidents that have demonstrated how Wiltshire Police have continued to seek alternative ways for community members to report all forms of Hate Crime. Additionally, West Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum helped community members to report Hate Crime via a third party after learning that there remained fears around reporting incidents. The impact of which, for example, can lead to issues for Muslim women feeling afraid to go out alone for fear of racist abuse.

Recommendations

Isolated individuals in the

neighbourhood would benefit from

the Good Neighbour Scheme to enable

increased third party reporting

(www.wiltsgn.org.uk).

Publish Hate Crime figures on a

monthly basis to show reductions and

action taken.

Young People

Young people at risk of radicalisation need positive mechanisms in place to mitigate the negative messages that arise from extremism. The group proposed a communication process to seek the involvement of religious and other interested groups around strategic planning of services for young people, alongside increased involvement with schools to represent young BAME people’s views on health, employment, education and other youth activities.

Recommendations

Representation at a strategic level

from BAME groups at Wiltshire

Community Safety Partnership

Prevent Implementation Group.

Support and guidance to help BAME

and Faith communities meet the needs

of their young people by Wiltshire

Council Integrated Youth Service.

Wider representation on Local Youth

Network panels.

Engagement and Advocacy

BAME community members have experienced difficulties in interacting with Area Boards. They highlighted the need for more outreach work targeted to BAME and Faith groups. People found that small open events are not the best way to engage with the community, and that more consideration should be given to times and venues used. It is easier for small community organisations to engage and invite community members in their own localities.

Recommendations

Increased Area Board outreach

services for BAME and Faith

Communities and improved

community links.

Create a bank of Volunteer Community

Champions to mediate between

communities and Area Boards.

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Religion and Faith

A need identified is to encourage individuals to interact with members of other faith groups through education. It is felt that this education should be sensitively provided and empower people to build their confidence. Faith and Cultural Awareness Training was delivered to Wiltshire Police Community Support Officers. These training sessions included information and resources on how to manage situations sensitively, to increase confidence in engaging with different faith groups, how to look after ‘custody’ people, plus visits to places of Faith. West Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum recommends Councillors to attend this training.

Recommendations

Production of an Education Programme

centred on empowerment, knowledge

and celebration of diversity.

Mosque and other religious groups to

have regular involvement with Wiltshire

Partnership of Churches.

Development of a strategic campaign to

raise awareness of cultural and religious.

Involve BAME & Faith communities in

delivering cultural awareness training to

statutory organisations and groups to

improve understanding of their needs.

Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME)

There is a shortage of new groups evolving

and those which currently exist, lack young

people’s involvement. There have been

challenges in the past to attract new

members which represent all age ranges.

One example of success has been the Youth

Project that is hosted by the Wiltshire

Islamic Cultural Centre.

Black History Month is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the UK in October. Wiltshire based events motivated community members to engage. Family fun days facilitated by Wiltshire Multi Faith Forum and partners, DEVELOP and Salisbury Coalition Again Racism (SCAR) have proven to be successful approaches.

Recommendations

Continuing to embrace and deliver

events in Black History Month

celebrated in October every year.

Involve small community groups in the

planning of local events in order to

maximise engagement with the public.

Increased use of the social media

platform for young people to engage

when publishing events.

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Conclusion

Overall this past year of activity has provided new

opportunities for Wiltshire BAME and Faith groups to

engage and participate in a range of issues, with an

increased awareness in how to seek resolutions to

community matters.

We understand the need for continual development and

outreach work especially in our more rural parts of

Wiltshire as well as improved representation and

channels of communication between our statutory and

voluntary sector organisations. DEVELOP will continue

to offer solutions and practical support and will actively

seek to build capacity in communities to enable effective

representation.

We will achieve this through a network of Volunteer

Community Champions and hope that these

contributions alongside DEVELOP’s Equalities Toolkit,

offer organisations and individuals practical information,

guidance and understanding to strengthen local

communities.

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Resources and Promoting Equalities

DEVELOP promotes Equality & Diversity through a range of communication aides, social media, targeted e-bulletins, quarterly newsletters and website. Some examples of the events and projects we have promoted during this last period include:

SCAR - One Race Different Cultures Event Wiltshire Healthwatch - Dementia Strategy Salisbury & District Guide Dog - Periodic Newsletter Runnymede Trust - End Racism in a Decade Initiative

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Contact us

Tel: 0845 034 5250

Email: [email protected]

www.developecs.org.uk

Textphone: 0845 094 2113

This information can be available in alter-

native formats, please contact us.

DEVELOP, 3-4 New Road, Chippenham

Wiltshire SN15 1EJ