ESW's Current Projects

Equality South West's current projects

ESW undertakes much of its work through grant funded or commissioned work. Below is a short description of each of our current projects that we are working on during 2009.

Mainstreaming Equality and Diversity in the South West's Third Sector

This is a five year project (2007 - 2012) that is working to improve support in the region for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations around equality and diversity. Some of the main activities that will be undertaken as part of the project to try and strengthen the voluntary sector's equality and diversity awareness and practice include:

1 Map equality related organisations in the south west that can provide support to third sector organisation on equality matters and use this to identify any areas where there are gaps or low levels of support

2 Identify and pull together existing research on equality issues in the south west. Identify what gaps there are and lobby for funding to address these gaps

3 Develop mechanisms for local organisations representing disadvantaged or excluded groups to have their voice heard at sub regional regional and national level

4 Events, seminars and development of accredited training and resources.

South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWERDA) Equality Project

This project focuses on working with the RDA to improve their internal equality practices including looking at the diversity of the RDA Board; employment practices and barriers; equality guidance for staff and managers; and work with Business Link and small and medium sized enterprises to improve their awareness of equality issues and develop systems and processes to ensure the RDA as an employer and a public service agency better meets the needs of the South West's diverse communities.

Migrant Worker's Project - funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWERDA)

This project has four main objectives:

(i) A better understanding of the trends in migration and the impact and implications this has for the sustainability of businesses in the region. Analysis would feed into future policy developments of the Regional Economic Strategy, or single regional strategy, corporate plan etc.

(ii) Better skills training provision for migrant workers.

(iii) Employers are equipped for the task of employing migrant labour and are using best practice.

(iv) A better coordinated public sector response to the issue at regional level.

The project is working with migrant workers, employers and key regional bodies to encourage and develop a co-ordinated response to issues around migrant workers and the economy. As part of this a regional network of migrant worker groups is being developed.

South West Equality and Diversity Learning Providers' Network

ESW have been funded by the LSC to facilitate for an initial period of one year, a further education Equality and Diversity network. The network aims to bring together learning providers e.g. colleges adult and community learning providers and work based learning providers to enable members to address key questions, concerns, aspirations and priorities around equality and diversity. Members share good practice and support each other in achieving and embedding excellence in equality and diversity policies and practices within their organisations.

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller History Month

ESW is working to support local Roma, Gypsy and Traveller groups to put on a co-ordinated range of events and activities during Roma, Gypsy and Traveller History Month in June 2009. The events will promote and celebrate the rich culture and history of some of Britain's oldest communities as well as aiming to dispel much of the prejudice and discrimination which these communities face in today's society.

South West Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (SW RIEP) Equality Programme

ESW provides the administrative support and co-ordination for the Promoting Equality and Tackling Exclusion Programme of the RIEP. The RIEP works to improve the efficiency and quality of local authority services and employment policy. It does this through a range of work areas ranging from procurement to waste management. In relation to equality the next programme of work is aimed at supporting Local Authorities to reach level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government and its replacement the Equality Framework from April 2009. This will be done through a range of support measures including training, peer support and consultancy support.