BECON Newsletter March 2009.pub
Transcription
BECON Newsletter March 2009.pub
Dear BECON network members communities in particular those suffering from financial hardship. The limited resources of VCS On behalf on BECON Trustee Board and staff team organisations will be stretched and in some cases can I wish all of you the very best for 2009. Many of taken to the limit however I am confident that you will know that BECON held its AGM and collectively the BME VCS will rise to the challenge th celebration event on the 12 December at Soccer and support those in greatest need, Through these World Hall, Newcastle. Despite the weather we had uncertain times BME VCS organisations will need over 80 people attending the event and I am to prioritise and take stock of their own finances pleased to say that with your continued support and with a sense of prudence plan for the year both the AGM and the celebration evening were a ahead. huge success. It is crucial that we have a vibrant and thriving BME The existence and survival of VCS organisations is VCS across the North East region and we are keen dependant on funding and at what seems to hear about how the current economic climate unprecedented times in the world of finance we may be impacting upon BME frontline have yet to see what this means for the BME VCS organisations. Please let us know about your in the medium to long term. What we do know is experiences with regards to securing funding and that at times such as these increased demands will what impact this had or is having on delivering be placed upon the BME frontline organisation for services to your local communities. Please send their services by individuals, families and your comments to [email protected] BECON’s 2008 Annual General Meeting took a different track. This year BECON chose the Centre for Sports in Newcastle for its AGM and unlike past events, this AGM was about celebration and networking. The event was a great success. With almost 100 BECON members, associate members, friends and volunteers participating (including BECON staff), BECON network’s achievements were celebrated in style. The event started with a formal business meeting to elect BECON trustees for the year 2009-10. The business meeting not only included BECON full members, who were present to participate in electing of the new Board of Trustees, many representatives from regional bodies such the region’s Government Office, ONE North East, etc also participated. Soon after the business meeting, the event DJ played a fine selection of music from around the world. A ‘global’ buffet complemented BECON network’s diversity and celebrated the diversity of the North East. The AGM was an opportunity also for two BECON Chief Officers to get together and share respective their visions for BECON network. Beverly Prevatt-Goldstein, now a doctor from Bristol University, who was BECON CEO between 2001-5 met up with Abdul Khan, BECON’s current CEO. Since the last BECON AGM, the BME VCS nationally to women from BME communities in the Ealing local has passed through difficult time. During this period, authority area in London. In 2007, Ealing Council the the decided to take funding away from SBS citing its government’s consultation on Single Group Funding. ‘cohesion policy’. The council argued that targeted or The consultation, if implemented would significantly specialist services reduced cohesion since these and disproportionately have affect BME organisations. services were not available to everyone. The council The consultation document that was released in decided to put £100,000 a year, the money it used to February 2008 spoke volumes about how the current give to SBS, for generic service provision across the government views the role of BME VCS in localities. borough. sector had to face challenges like Reading the final consultation document and its initial drafts, it was clear that within the department of Communities and Local Government no understanding existed of the important role BME organisations play in neighbourhoods and in the region. The message that came from CLG at that time was that race equality had led to fundamental problems in the British society and that it was time to change direction on equality unless there was a demonstrable need. BECON made its strong opposition to the proposals known both in the region and nationally. BECON participated in two conferences on this issue and organised discussions and consultations with the sector on the government proposals. BECON worked with other regional and national BME organisations and a collective response of the BME sector was sent to the Communities and Local government in May 2008. The decision to withdraw funding was challenged by SBS in court on the basis that the shift in policy would negatively impact women from BME communities and that the local authority had failed in its duty to carry out race impact assessment of its policy decision. The Ealing Council first decided to contest the case in the court but after a day’s hearing decided to withdraw. The court judgement clearly noted that Ealing council failed on many counts and did not give due regard to the Race Relations Act. The case of Southall Black Sisters has made local authorities across the country to re-look at their own policies on cohesion. Moreover, CLG eventually withdrew its draft guidance on single group funding in January 2009. However, the BME organisations and communities cannot relax. There is a need to constantly watch and challenge efforts to marginalise race equality in services provided by local authority The court’s decision on Southall Black Sisters in July and other regional services in the name of cohesion. 2008 added further complexity to the government’s Over the next twelve months, BECON will continue to case on single group funding. Let me briefly discuss focus on this area and will work with the sector, this case which may become a test case for other BME regional and national partners and stakeholders to organisations to use in future. highlight significant role played by the BME voluntary and community organisations in localities and in the Southall Black Sisters (SBA) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been providing services North East. The BME Mental Health and Well Being project, which is aimed predominantly but not exclusively at women is funded by Big Lottery and is overseen by the Strategic Health Authority. The Well Being and Mental Health project is well into its 10th month and so far had seen many activities organised in the north and south of the region. On the 28th August, the Paint Your Walk; an educational and guided walk was organised to Kirknewton village in Northumberland. The walk started from the community centre through the footpaths that passed by farmlands, river, bridge, hills and farmer’s buildings. The participants had a good lesson on history about the first settlement in Northumberland, the monuments and symbols found in the farmland and the geology of the area. The participants had a well-deserved picnic after the walk. The Green Exercise officer; Colin Farr did an awareness session on mental health and he later took some of the children for a few games to include badminton. The rest of the participants enjoyed a taster session on painting to paint on paper the beautiful views they had came across during the walk. This walk was organised for families and groups from the north of the region. The Exploring Killhope walk was postponed from the 2nd September to the 14th October. This trip saw the highest number of participation by the elderly. The day started off with a presentation on mental health awareness by WEA. The wet and cold day did not deter the participants from enjoying a walk around Killhope Mining Museum; on their way exploring the flora, fauna and geology of the area. The rest of the day was packed with visits down the mind, the miner’s house and having a go at finding valuable rocks to take home. The participants had a wonderful visit and found the coach staff and museum staff very friendly and the trip enjoyable and informative. This walk was organised for families and groups from the south of the region. Well Being Package- 16 and 22nd October. This was a 2-day workshop just for women. The first day started with a session on mental health at the Methodist Church in Jesmond, followed by a swimming session to include sauna and steam room. This was a close session and participants really enjoyed having a swim or just a dip in the pool. Three participants expressed their joy for having their first ever opportunity in the pool. The afternoon had the women warmed up to a session of meditative yoga followed by a session from Mental Health Concerns on supported housing. The second day took the women to the Parks in North Tyneside. The morning stated with a follow up to mental health session from Early Intervention Team from Mental Health Concern; looking at pressure points, family theraphy, symptoms and diagnostic. The North Tyneside Primary Care Trust had their stand till noon where women can check their blood pressure, height, weight and get advise on their health. The day was summed up with a session on Victorian soap making and the participants were pleased to take their final products home. The 6th and last workshop is planned for the end of January 2009 for the south to replicate the Well Being Package; a series of exercise, information and arts and craft sessions. International Women’s Day 2009 event will mark the biggest celebration for international women in the North East will be held on Saturday 7th March at Sunderland Quayside Exchange. BME Women in the region are invited to attend. For more details please contact Maria on 0191 209 4747 or [email protected]. Also check www.becon.org.uk for regular updates on future events. Since the last newsletter I have been began to look more in depth into developing much more active links with organisations that maintain positive links with the BME voluntary and community sector. Among those links is Age Concern in Durham whom BECON is working with to develop its Intergenerational programme. This aim is to bring generations together in purposeful, and mutually beneficial mainstream activities aimed at building more cohesive communities and increased participation from elder generations from BME communities. The other positive partnership has seen BECON working more cohesively with Easington District Council and Durham County Council to further explore the proposed County Durham BME Forum/ Network. This proposed partnership is still in its early stages but promises much benefit to groups/ organisations in County Durham by providing resources and a smoother mechanism to feed into the Local Strategic Partnership. My work areas across the region continue to change and I am also working with the BECON Regional Partnership Officer to deliver the two Networking Funding Events in both the North and South of the region. Further information regarding the funding events can be found in this newsletter 2008 ended with BECON’s AGM which had excellent participation. This was an excellent time for everyone to come together and enjoy an entertaining event. It was great to see so many members joining in from across the region. 2008 has been a busy year with a lot of work being covered and it has continued into this new year. As well as being involved and supporting the BME Networks, BECON has been working with partners to also establish a network in Newcastle. I will be working closely with Stuart throughout the region as well. I have been representing on regional meetings that affect volunteering and will be looking for your involvement as work develops. 2009 is already beginning to fly by with it already being March! With so much uncertainty about finances, we have arranged a funding event on the 17th March in Durham. The Funders will be there to go through the (sometimes daunting) process to apply for funding. There will be something there to cater for all groups, further details will be available very soon so keep a look out. There is much to be done and I urge you as our members to get involved. It is through your consultations that we can voice and make a difference. Louise Evan-Wong BECON Trustee 1999- 2008 Louise is one of BECON star supporters who from the start believed in BECON and worked relentlessly to contribute to it’s establishment, survival and continuity. We all remember when times were difficult, Louise was there to work with everybody and made sure BECON worked through its hard time. BECON did and excelled. As Louise finally says goodbye to BECON, we requested her to share with us and the network few things about her. We quote Louis verbatim: I was born in Guyana, South America, Land of Many Rivers. S w i mmin g , s a i lin g , cycling, paddling, climbing trees were part of everyday life. My first University experience was in the USA where I saw snow for the first time! I joined my parents in Britain and continued Higher Education completing a degree in Psychology, then post-graduate study with the help of a Research Fellowship. I moved to the North East for a lecturing post and fell in love with the energy, the atmosphere, the countryside, and the commitment of this Region. My engagement with BECON has helped me work toward my dream of contributing to creating a fairer, sharing, caring world. I believe BECON to be at the leading edge of the struggle to make this Region a better place for BME people and for other disadvantaged groups. The workers have to create pathways through the minefields of institutional racism and traditional networks in this region. They have successfully moved the boundaries of our engagement with public decision makers to help BME communities to have a voice. This is our vehicle – we need to make more use of it. Imagine the energy we could create if all the BME Communities worked together. This would be my hope for BECON for the future. I’m leaving the trustee board and will miss BECON - Many thanks to all – it has been a privilege to work with everyone. Abdul Khan, BECON CEO thanked Louise for her continued engagement with BECON and said: “Since its inception BECON has been supported by individuals who have freely contributed their time, energy, expertise and experience in establishing BECON as the regional BME infrastructure organisation. Louise is one of those key individuals who has supported BECON over the years and her contribution is much valued and appreciated.” Abdul Khan CEO Newcastle Chinese Healthy Living Centre The Newcastle Chinese Healthy Living Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The Centre’s aim is: • To promote good practice in health, health education and social care for people of Chinese ethnic origin • To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the Chinese ethnic people • To provide a centre where health and associated services can be delivered in a welcoming, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere for people of Chinese ethnic origin • To preserve and protect good health by promoting health education through information, advise and support from suitably qualified personnel. 1998, with talks on health and social care issues organised every Friday. The Centre received numerous funding from funders such as Northern Rock Foundation, Newcastle Social Services, Awards For All and Scarman Trust to name but a few. The Centre is now based at the North East Chinese Association (NECA) building and with the support of NECA has been able to widen their services to include: • Training / increase opportunity for committees and volunteers. • Organised various educational health activities for Chinese communities • Involvement with external project • Partnership with different organisations to deliver training • Involvement with projects in the wider community. In 2007, the Chinese Health Living Centre received its registered charity status. In 1997 as a follow up to the AIDS and HIV conference organised for the Chinese community, eight of the participants decided to the Chinese Health project. The project launched the Newcastle Chinese Health Club in NEWomen’s Network is led by the voluntary community women’s sector and is primarily concerned with strengthening the women’s sector, ensuring the survival of women’s organisations and raising the profile of issues facing women in the North East. It is organised regionally, with leads for each four sub-regions (Durham, Tees Valley, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear) and across six diversity strands (young women, lesbian and bisexual women, Black and minority ethnic (BME) women, women with disabilities, older women and women of different faith groups). Women’s voluntary and community organisations in the North East provide free, and often life saving, services to women from diverse backgrounds and lobby for better laws to end discrimination against women; but many of these women’s sector organisations are in danger of being closed down. This is particularly so for Black and Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) Women’s Organisations, a recent report from Imkaan estimates we now only have 50% of specialist independent BAMER led women’s organisations across the UK that existed five years ago. Furthermore, Imkaan points to a series of contradictory Government policies need to change to avert suffering and violations of human rights for BME women and children. As part of the national why women? Campaign. NEWomen’s Network are calling for policy and decision makers and funding bodies in the North East to put women back on the agenda by: • acknowledging the systematic disadvantage women face because of gendered inequality • publicly recognising the essential services and expertise the women's sector provides If you join NEWomen’s network your organisation will enjoy the following benefits: • Regular infomails with details of research, policy event, campaigns, funding and training • Free access to NEWomen’s network events and training with travelling expenses and childcare provided wherever possible For more information and to join NEWomen’s Network, please contact: Sue Robson, email: [email protected] tel: 07813109215 or visit our website http://www.newwomens.net/ NEWomen’s Network is part of the VCS Equalities and Diversity Coalition and is supported through funding from the Coalitions' Coalition for Action on Equality and Diversity (CADE) Project and Northern Rock Foundation. 1 A Matter of Life and Death : the loss of specialist services for BAMER women and children experiencing violence (Imkaan, June 2008) http://www.wrc.org.uk/includes/ documents/cm_docs/2008/b/1_bamer_leaflet.pdf 2 http://www.wrc.org.uk/what_we_do/campaigns/ why_women/default.aspx One of the myths about Northumberland is that ‘there are no BME people there.’ But while the numbers are not huge, especially not in rural areas, that makes it even more important to support BME people in combating racism and achieving equality. Northumberland Community Development Network (NCDN) has been working with BECON over the last couple of years to find ways of involving BME people from across Northumberland in group activities, and in meeting with people from other diversity groups. NCDN’s equality and diversity project aims to create a diversity network that has a real place in decision making within the county. As the current phase of the work comes to an end in March, the project is celebrating diversity in Northumberland by coordinating a Diversity Exchange programme from midFebruary through March. So far the programme includes a disability group networking day on 12th February at Kirkley Hall Ponteland, two performances of Open Clasp Theatre is a charity, church ministry and local community group. Our core aims are to serve our community in Christian love through practical action; to reach out to and help the most disadvantaged in our community including asylum seekers and immigrants; and to work for community cohesion beyond the catchword. Since 2006 we have been based in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, and from our centre here we run several projects and activities which bring together people of all ages from across very different ethnic, denominational, social and national backgrounds. Our Church’s Sunday Service is at 10.30am in the EDWE Centre. Families are welcome, and refreshments are served afterwards. We also have weekly meetings and socials in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland as well as special men’s, women’s and youth events – for more information please contact us. CDACA, County Durham African Advice, is an advice and support centre for African and other BME asylum seekers and immigrants in the North East. We do our best to give these minorities a warm welcome; help individuals and families to integrate in their local communities and learn about British culture, traditions and structures; provide advocacy and emotional and practical support as well as a range of social and cultural activities which bring African and British people together. We also work to challenge racial prejudice and stereotypes about BME groups by hosting African workshops in local schools and other venues. If you production ‘Stand n Tan’ at Newbiggin Sports Centre (6pm, Friday 13th February) and Haltwhistle Sports Centre (6pm 14th February), a Hafla in Belford and a day for employers in Berwick. The Northumberland LGBT group will be working with Radio Lionheart in Alnwick to make a radio programme about being gay in Northumberland, and the Berwick Migrant Support Group is organising an evening on humour across cultures. There will be various events for International Women’s Day in early March. We hope to have something for everyone, and the programme will end with a big event at the Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn on Tuesday 24th March including workshops, film, a debating room for all the hot issues, and BECON will be there looking at rural racism issues. The aim is that everyone can feel positive about visiting, living in or enjoying Northumberland. For more information about events Please contact us on 07775 817544 or [email protected] or visit NCDN’s website http://www.ncdn.org/ would like us to hold a workshop (e.g. African cooking and culture) at your school or place of work, please contact us. Children’s work – His Chosen Kids is a club for children up to 13 years which runs each Sunday 11-12.30am, and Victory Kids Club is an after school club running term-time – please contact us for next term’s times. Cultural Café – 10am–1pm the last Saturday of each month in the EDWE Centre. Come and enjoy homemade cakes, freshly brewed coffee and tea, groovy music and lively discussions! We are currently only using part of our building due to its need of repairs and refurbishment. Once the whole building has been renovated it will also serve as a media centre with television and music recording studios, and a conference centre with seating for 270 people and catering facilities…..so watch this space! For general information about our charity (Reg. No. 1107866) and projects visit www.hccproject.org or contact Rebecca Bouveng, 01429821679, mobile 07709167260 or email [email protected]. For help and support through CDACA, contact Apostle Elijah and Grace Delapanosta on 01913772731 or mobile 07817362663, or Khulani Ndebele, 07901545152. The EDWE Centre, Dodds Close, Wheatley Hill DH6 3QU Third Sector Government U-turn on single identity group funding By John Plummer 13 January 2009 Proposals to only fund 'cohesion schemes' dropped after pressure from charities. The Government has dropped plans to tell councils not to fund 'single identity groups' after pressure from charities. In February last year, the Communities and Local Government department proposed that local authorities should not award grants to projects that focused on specific groups. They should instead fund cohesion schemes that benefited the entire community, the department said. The proposal threatened vast amounts of funding to charities that help individual groups, particularly black and minority ethnic organisations. Two-thirds of responses to the consultation were from charities, which overwhelmingly rejected the idea on the grounds that it could reduce their funding and harm communities. In the summary of responses to the Cohesion Guidance for Funders Consultation, published last month, communities and local government secretary Hazel Blears said guidelines from central government were not the way forward because only local leaders were "in a position to make a truly informed choice". Kevin Curley, chief executive of local infrastructure group Navca, said: "This change of policy is good news for everyone who believes that it is right to fund BME organisations to provide specialist services." To access the article online please visit http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/ Channels/Finance/Article/872691/Government-U-turn-single-identitygroup-funding/ You will need to register as a member (for free) to access the article Ruling Frees Asylum Seekers to Work similar position. A landmark legal ruling has paved the way for thousands of asylum seekers in the UK to be allowed to work. The High Court has ruled that current laws preventing an Eritrean asylum seeker from taking a job are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Last night legal experts said the test case would have major ramifications for others seeking asylum. The Eritrean man, called Tekle, who cannot be returned to his home country because it is considered too dangerous, has been in the UK for seven years while his case is considered. Thousands of asylum seekers from other countries also considered too dangerous to return to including Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Zimbabwe - are in a Mr Justice Blake ruled that a blanket ban was 'unlawfully over-broad and unjustifiably detrimental to claimants who have had to wait as long as this claimant has'. He said the Home Office's policy breached article 8 of the convention, which guarantees the 'right to respect for private and family life'. The ruling comes as the former Tory leader, Iain Duncan Smith, prepares to publish a report suggesting that failed asylum seekers should be given the right to work here if they cannot return home. Article taken from http://www.equality-ne.co.uk/news/ articles/6261 Third Sector Online Donors in Scotland are the least likely to change their giving habits during lean times: 21 per cent said they would not give less. Those most likely to cut their donations live in the midlands, Wales and the north of England. Credit crunch 'means donors will give less' By Rosie Walker, 24 September 2008 Nearly half of individual donors say they will give less money to charity over the coming year because of the credit crunch, according to a new YouGov poll. The internet-based polling organisation asked 1,962 people about their charity habits. Forty-nine per cent agreed that they would probably give less if the credit crunch continued; 15 per cent said they would not. The poll was commissioned by the second-hand shop Cash Converters, which has pledged to donate all the profits from an auction of selected goods brought into its shops to children's charity Dreams Come True. The auction was held online between 8 and 17 October 2008. The survey also found that 29 per cent of respondents have more than £500 worth of unwanted household items at home. Liberty (also known as The National Council for Civil Liberties) is one of the UK’s leading civil liberties and human rights organisations. Liberty work to promote human rights and protect civil liberties through a combination of test case litigation, lobbying, campaigning and the provision of free advice. Liberty’s website provide support to individuals and organisations who wish to understand and enforce their rights under the Human Rights Act 1998. The website has three main sections 1. YourRights guide 2. Voluntary Advice Sector 3. Human Rights Advice? Liberty provides Advice Services to the VCS free of charge. Liberty will help the VCS sector to understand the implications of the Human Rights Act for your service users. On Liberty website you will find information about the Human Rights Act and the rights incorporated from the European Convention on Human Rights, general information on how to take proceedings under the Act, answers to frequently asked questions, and detailed information on areas of interest such as the right to privacy, the rights of suspects and defendants and the right to peaceful protest. Third Sector A sea change online in 2009? By Jude Habib 13 January 2009 When it comes to digital media, it's time for the sector to get with the programme, says Jude Habib Last year, I ran several workshops exploring the changing media climate and the rise of social media. I was continually surprised by the sense of bemusement, fear of losing control and resistance to change I encountered among senior management. The sessions made me realise that we still have a long way to go to change third sector behaviour in the internet age. But I am hopeful that this year there will be a sea change in attitudes. We could start by looking across the pond for inspiration: Barack Obama will enter the White House next week knowing that social media played a critical role in his election success. The presence of his campaign was felt across the web, on sites including YouTube, MySpace, Flickr, Twitter and Facebook. The campaign also raised £400m from three million people, so we could call it a 'people's campaign'. Obama provided the tools, platforms and space to enable grass-roots supporters to have a voice. The www.My.BarackObama.com community blogs helped millions of people, mostly volunteers, organise their local communities on behalf of the campaign. They were given that most important thing: control. That's why I am so passionate about the role of social Liberty also runs a telephone advice service for voluntary sector organisations that require human rights advice. The line is staffed by Liberty’s Advice & Information Officer (non-practising Solicitor). The telephone number is 0845 122 8621 Opening Hours are: Monday: 14.30 to 16.30 and Tuesday & Thursday: 10.00 to 12.00 Alternatively you can write with to Liberty with your query. To submit your queries online please follow the link below http://www.secure-website.com/liberty-humanrights.org.uk/Charity query form To submit your queries in writing you will need to submit it on an advice request form. You can download a Word Version of the form following the link below. http://www.yourrights.org.uk/get-advice/vas-adviceform-4.4.08.doc Once you have completed the form please send it to VAS, Liberty, 21 Tabard Street, London SE1 4LA Or you can fax it to 0207 407 5354. Please mark your fax for the attention of the Voluntary Sector Advice Service or VAS. media. It's all about direct engagement and personal communication between friends and contacts sharing information that matters. We are no longer passive consumers of the internet, but active participants - we want our voices heard. If you can create a more targeted personal relationship with your stakeholders, you will be rewarded with long-term loyalty and support. So chief executives: this year, when your staff approach you to discuss using social media in your organisation, I hope your response will be a resounding "yes". As the credit crunch continues to bite, it's important to make sure your online presence is reaching as many people as possible. Are you making the most of online opportunities? Are you waiting for people to come to you, when you could be going directly to them? And how can you use your time and budgets more effectively to reach the people you want to reach? It is important to have the skills in your organisation to understand and exploit low-cost social media applications. At the same time, you need to encourage your supporters and stakeholders to play a greater part in getting your messages across. But the biggest challenge is to persuade people especially third sector leaders - that social media are relevant and beneficial to their work. - Jude Habib is the director of Sound Delivery, a media production company To access the article online please visit http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/ Resources/Communications/Article/872365/sea-change-online-2009/ You will need to register as a member (for free) to access the article