Cross Strand Information
Blueprint for a Fairer Future: The Equality Bill explained
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality has announced new measures which will be in the Equality Bill. These will streamline and strengthen discrimination legislation, including banning age discrimination, to make Britain a fairer place. To read a document produced by ESW and drawn from the Cabinet Office release please see: Framework for Fairness - Equality Bill Explained
Single Equalities Act - Comments from ESW's REN's
Here is a list of priorities from ESW's Regional Equality Networks which supplements comments we have already made on the Green Paper. To view please see: Single Equalities Act
Somerset Community Cohesion Strategy 2004 - 2014
This is a document outlining plans and strategy for community cohesion in Somerset. To read further please see the link: Somerset Community Cohesion Strategy 2004-2014
Gloucestershire Infrastructure Group (GIG)
The Gloucestershire Infrastructure Group (GIG), is a partnership of 11 key development agencies which support more than 1,500 voluntary and community groups in the county. They have the shared aim of ensuring that all VCOs across the county have equality of access to effective infrastructure support. To find out more please follow the link: http://www.gloshub.org.uk/gig.html
Sport England South West
Sport England South West aim to provide for all members of the local community to access high quality volunteering opportunities no matter where they live or their personal circumstances and in so doing contribute to sustaining participation in sport. To read further please visit www.sportengland.org/southwest
ACAS
Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations, including issues such as tackling bullying. To read further about this organisation please visit: www.acas.org.uk
Equal Works
Equal Works function over 8 themes which are Facilitating Access, Ethnic Minorities, Business Creation, Social Economy, Lifelong learning and inclusive working practices, Adaptibility to work, Gender Equality, Asylum Seekers. To read further about the varied work they do please see: http://www.equal-works.com/
RISE
RISE is a membership organisation, open to anyone with an interest in Social Enterprise in South West England. To read further about this organisation please visit: www.rise-sw.co.uk
Edge Hill University
The Edge Hill University are able to offer consultancy services on Equality and Diversity. Established in 1993 the professional team with a strong track record of providing support and innovative solutions for the public and voluntary sectors in areas of management, strategy and policy development, community engagement, regeneration and equality.
For more information contact The Centre for Local Policy Studies, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP or 01695 584765 or email brockenc@edgehill.ac.uk.
The Poverty Site
This site contains useful information on various strands of equality including the gender pay gap and poverty, disability and ethnicity and has some analysis of patterns in rural areas. To read further please see: http://www.poverty.org.uk/
Alliance for Sector Skills Council
This website has been produced to help employers and Sector Skills Councils address the practical issues in implementing good equality and diversity practice in the workplace. It contains useful information on basic facts, good practice, various other resources. To read further please see http://www.sfbn-equality-diversity.org.uk/
The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England
This guide - "Stopping people becoming or supporting terrorists and violent extremists" can be read here: Stopping people becoming or supporting violent extremists
Public sector equality duties - UNISON guidance - 2008
To read this document please see: Public Sector Equality Duties - UNISON - 2008
Urban UK Online
Urban UK's purpose is to eliminate barriers to employment by reassuring people from all backgrounds that there are organisations offering an equal and fair chance to all, thus encouraging people to pursue careers, education and training regardless of age, disability, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief and ultimately for the workforce of organisations to reflect the society in which they operate. To find out more please visit their website: http://www.urbanukonline.com/
Avon and Bristol Advice Line
The Avon and Bristol Law Centre is starting a discrimination advice line for people who want advice about problems of discrimination in accessing goods, services, facilities and housing. Advice can be given on discrimination problems relating to disability, gender, sexual orientation, faith/belief and race. This line will be open between 10.00 and 12.00 every Tuesday, starting on 22nd July. The number for this discrimination advice line is 0117 9167704. To find out more please see: Avon and Bristol Advice Line
Devon Law Centre
Devon Law Centre provides free expert advice and representation. It is against the law for people who provide goods, services, housing or education to discriminate against you. To find out your rights and get free, expert advice and representation you can contact them by phone or e-mail on 01752 519794 or information@devonlawcentre.org.uk or in person at 3 Elizabeth Court Whimple Street, Plymouth PL1 2DH.
Identifying Discrimination Cases in Employment
The Central London Law Centre have published the above diagnostic and referral guide which is aimed at front line advisors. To read please see: Identfying Discrimination in Employment
Supporting Equality Groups
The National Equality Partnership have published an overview of support to the diverse third sector in England. To read: Supporting Equality Groups
LINKS TO FOLLOW FROM OUR WEEKLY E-BULLETIN
To sign up for our weekly e-bulletin please contact jinny.uppington@equalitysouthwest.org.uk for a contact form or download it here: Contact Form
Creative Advisors Scheme
This is a flexible bespoke mentoring scheme for artists, curators, producers and arts managers/administrators from diverse backgrounds living in the South West. To find out more or to apply please see: Creative Advisors
Mainstreaming Equality and Diversity in Third sector - Message from Brenda Weston
My job at Equality South West involves developing and promoting policies that will support best equality and diversity practice in third sector organisations across the region.
Although it may be stating the obvious, it is central to this task that any recommendations or initiatives from ESW address the actual needs and issues that face sister organisations, rather than those that we think exist! In this context I’m keen to hear from colleagues whose remit includes equality and diversity policy or development work. I would like to explore people’s enthusiasm for sharing ideas, experiences, and aspirations in relation to promoting equality, with the aim of establishing priorities and taking appropriate action to address these.
If you have a policy or development role in the third sector that includes equality and diversity, and you would like to participate in an initial meeting, probably in November 2008 for the above purpose, please contact my colleague Sam Partridge: Samantha.partridge@equalitysouthwest.or.uk giving your name, organisation, address, phone number, and any access or dietary requirements.
If you don’t see this in time for November, please do get in contact anyway, as I hope to be able to keep in contact with those who are interested in follow up discussions.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Brenda Weston
Equality Development Officer (Policy)
