"Enriching Communities Conference: Promoting and Improving access to services for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and Migrant Communities in East Sussex"
18th October 2010, 9.30am to 3.30pm (with lunch), Eastbourne Town Hall
Conference Context: The Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and migrant populations in East Sussex have rapidly expanded in the last ten years. This is in line with the South East as a region and is part of a global and European trend. As result of these fast changes in population in East Sussex it is imperative that local service providers recognise, understand and respond to the needs of the new communities, including empowering minority groups.
Conference Aims: The conference aimed to explore local service provision for BME and migrant communities within the broader context of current changes and challenges in government public funding, for local authorities and service providers. It aimed to:
- Promote understanding of the needs and perceptions of BME and migrants community in East Sussex
- Share best practice - ensuring services are responsive to increasingly diverse communities in the county
- Empower services providers and BME and migrant community organizations to develop effective interventions & strategies to improve access and delivery of services
Organisers: This conference was hosted by SpeakUp Forum (a Forum for Voluntary and Community sector organisations in East Sussex) in partnership with the ESSP (East Sussex Strategic Partnership) migrant communities project and East Sussex County Council. It aims to:
Who was it for? The conference was aimed at BME and migrant communities’ representatives, voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations, community and faith leaders, public sector and VCS practitioners, as well as any other relevant partners or individuals.
Report and Good Practice Guide
Feedback:
There have been 123 participants representing the most diverse range of voluntary groups and public sector organisations.
The day has been great and we have received a number of very positive and warm comments during and after the conference.
Over 40 participants said that they would like to attend a similar event annually. We have asked the participants to tell us about the two things they have found the most useful. Those included networking and "making a lot of contacts", presentation by Rob Barkley, Barbara Rowe and Becky Shaw, workshops and the informatyion stalls.
We will also prepare a post event publication/resource. This will be available in early January on the website and will be e-mailed to all participants (hard copies can be posted on request).
