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Page 1 of 12 CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUM Newsletter: Issue Twenty Four — March 2014 CECF Introduction On the 22 nd of May 2014 European Parliamentary elections will be held in the UK. The UK will elect 73 (MEPS) using a system of proportional representation. The European Parliament is sometimes not seen as relevant in the UK. However, the European Union makes up many of the laws that are enacted in Britain. The Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum whilst being apolitical and non-sectarian in nature wishes to draw your attention to the fact that there are potentially some important issues that may affect minority populations, more significantly than the majority population. These issues may range from the growing influence of the extreme right on the European agenda, or freedom of religious observances i.e. in regards to preparation of food, clothing and symbols worn etc. Local candidates should be questioned about their plans and policies, with particular reference to their ideas for the BAME (Black Asian & Minority Ethnic) communities. For a list of your current MEP’s please see the following link http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgMemberIndexMEP.aspx?bcr=1 Development News Recently I have been Liaising with Cambridge City Council on the consultation for future grant funding. In response to a letter from Cllr Tim Bick – leader of the Council – giving an insight into the difficult financial challenges that are ahead of the Cambridge City Council over the coming few years. The following is part of my correspondence in response. “ I note that with diminished resources, it is stated that the Councils provision of non-statutory services such as arts, leisure and community development will need to be focused on those areas where only the council can make a difference and which are important to ensure that our city is inclusive. The Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum would urge you to ensure that resources do indeed continue to be channelled to address needs that are not met, or not met well in those areas. The market does not always address the needs of the most disadvantaged from minority backgrounds. The voluntary sector in Cambridge is a thriving one and does a magnificent job in helping to meet many of those needs, in partnership historically with the Cambridge City Council ” A recent meeting with some of our European colleagues at our CECF Offices. As part of the Comenius Regio Project, reported in our last newsletter. “The Courtyard” 21 B Sturton Street Cambridge CB1 2SN Tel: 01223 655 241 Fax: 01223 655 393 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cecf.co.uk Charity No. 1086241 Company No. 04175678 Contents Introduction Development News CHESS Community Focus Community Health Events Education and Training On-site Services CECF Staff & CECF Trustees Drop-ins on CECF site Tues – Fri 10am – 1pm Funded by:
Transcript of CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUMcecf.co.uk/joomla2/images/newsletters/Newsletter_Issue_25.pdf ·...
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CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUM
Newsletter: Issue Twenty Four — March 2014
CECF Introduction
On the 22nd of May 2014 European Parliamentary elections will be held in the UK. The UK will elect 73 (MEPS) using a system of proportional representation. TheEuropean Parliament is sometimes not seen as relevant in the UK. However, theEuropean Union makes up many of the laws that are enacted in Britain. TheCambridge Ethnic CommunityForum whilst being apolitical andnon-sectarian in nature wishes todraw your attention to the factthat there are potentially someimportant issues that may affectminority populations, moresignificantly than the majoritypopulation. These issues mayrange from the growing influenceof the extreme right on theEuropean agenda, or freedom ofreligious observances i.e. inregards to preparation of food,clothing and symbols worn etc. Local candidates should be questioned about theirplans and policies, with particular reference to their ideas for the BAME (BlackAsian & Minority Ethnic) communities. For a list of your current MEP’s please seethe following link http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/mgMemberIndexMEP.aspx?bcr=1
Development News
Recently I have been Liaising with Cambridge City Council on the consultation forfuture grant funding. In response to a letter from Cllr Tim Bick – leader of theCouncil – giving an insight into the difficult financial challenges that are ahead ofthe Cambridge City Council over the coming few years. The following is part ofmy correspondence in response. “I note that with diminished resources, it is statedthat the Councils provision of non-statutory services such as arts, leisure andcommunity development will need to be focused on those areas where only thecouncil can make a difference and which are important to ensure that our city isinclusive. The Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum would urge you to ensure thatresources do indeed continue to be channelled to address needs that are not met,or not met well in those areas. The market does not always address the needs of the most disadvantaged from minority backgrounds. The voluntary sector in Cambridge is a thriving one and does a magnificent job in helping to meet many of those needs, in partnership historically with the Cambridge City Council”
A recent meeting with some of our European colleagues atour CECF Offices. As part of the Comenius Regio Project,reported in our last newsletter.
“The Courtyard”21 B Sturton Street
CambridgeCB1 2SN
Tel: 01223 655 241Fax: 01223 655 393
E-mail:[email protected]
Website: www.cecf.co.uk
Charity No. 1086241Company No. 04175678
ContentsIntroduction
Development News
CHESS
Community Focus
Community Health
Events
Education and Training
On-site Services
CECF Staff &CECF Trustees
Drop-ins on CECF siteTues – Fri 10am – 1pm
Funded by:
Development News Continued
I have also been liaising with Cambridge United Football Club on their initiative for ‘Kick it out’. “Kick It Out works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change” for more information pleasesee the following http://www.kickitout.org/2.php
I attended a meeting with EELGA ( East of England Local Government Association ) Strategic MigrantPartnership Meeting on Tuesday 11th February 2014. This was a very important meeting as it wasinforming the voluntary andstatutory services of a majorchange in the provision of newservices to help asylum seekers andrefugees in the United Kingdom.Asylum Help, a funded project of acharity called Migrant Help, willoperate from 1st April 2014replacing all other governmentfunded asylum advice services.Migrant Help will therefore bereplacing the British RefugeeCouncil as a service provider at theCambridge Ethnic Community Forumfrom the beginning of April.
Recently I had a very productivemeeting with EELGA and The FirstLaw Partnership, an immigrationFirm who operate out of Bedford.This was regarding providing legallyaided immigration Advice. Currentlythere is now no provision for this inCambridge. We discussed thepossibility of a surgery at ourpremises. I am happy to report thishas just been agreed by the LegalAid Agency. So The First LawPartnership will hold their firstimmigration advice surgery, at theCambridge Ethnic Community Forum,on Wednesday the of 9th April.
The Forum has been providing sessions on cultural awareness training forthe Mill Road History project volunteers. On Friday 7th March 2014 andanother on Wednesday 26th March. These have been very enjoyable to deliver and well received.
Reported by Eddie Stadnik, Chief Officer
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Cambridgeshire Human-Rights and Equality Support Service (CHESS)
News
CHESS Project ManagerTony Lindsay achievesChartered Status
Tony Lindsay, theCambridge EthnicCommunity Forum’s managerof the CambridgeshireHuman Rights and EqualitySupport Service (CHESS)has recently been awardedChartered Manager – themost prestigious status inthe managerial profession.By achieving CharteredManager status, Tony hasshown that he has achieveda high level of leadershipcapability and is clearlycommitted to deliveringquality services for CECF and clients.
Commenting on the award Tony said:
“I feel absolutely wonderful in achievingChartered Manager status. I have been managingpeople and projects for over 15 years, startingwhilst serving as a Police Constable in DurhamConstabulary, then after medical retirementmoving on and becoming the Chief Officer fortwo different Race Equality Councils inDarlington/County Durham and NorthStaffordshire, working with voluntary communityorganisations in Bedford and Luton, a ResearchManager for MENTER and finally working atCECF as the CHESS Project Manager since2009, developing policies, procedures, trainingand contributing to other aspects at CECF andusing that experience has assisted in demonstrating my managerial skills, knowledge, leadership and managing change. Becoming a Chartered Manager will provide the
evidence to funders that CECF and the CHESSproject are managed byexperienced and highlyskilled staff. Myimmediate plans for thefuture are to ensure thatthe CHESS projectcontinues to provide thebest service for itsclients”
To become a CharteredManager, individualsundergo vigorousassessment in areas ofpractice including meetingleadership and managingchange. This award is ademonstration of Tony’smanagerial competence
and will certainly prove he possessestransferable managerial skills. The award is abig asset for CECF and CHESS as he can betrusted and relied upon to consistently deliverhigh standard performance in the human rightsand equality support services provided by theforum.
By Eddie Stadnik (CECF Chief Officer)
For more information on Chartered Manager,visit www.managers.org.uk/cmgr
Coalition government abolish the Equality Act2010 statutory questionnaires ondiscrimination from 6th April 2014 although83% who responded to the governmentconsultation were opposed to the abolition.
The rules relating to statutory discrimination questionnaires in the Equality Act 2010 will be repealed from 6th April 2014 in favour of an informal approach. This is despite the fact that 83% of the responses to a government consultation on the
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subject were opposed to abolition. In our experience, if a questionnaire is responded to fully with the informationrequested provided, this can persuade theindividual who served the questionnaire not tolodge a discrimination claim in the EmploymentTribunal. There can therefore be a useful resultfor an employer who has gone to the work ofproviding a response.
What is a statutory discriminationquestionnaire?
The statutory discrimination questionnaire allowsan employee or job applicant, to submit questionsto an employer to gain disclosure of information. For example, an individual can requestinformation regarding an employer’s workforceincluding statistics which would not otherwise beavailable. This information can then form partof an individual’s claim.
Where a questionnaire is submitted an employershould respond within the specified time frameof 8 weeks. An Employment Tribunal can draw anadverse inference against an employer if theyfail to submit a response.
ACAS Guidance
ACAS has published good practice guidance onasking and responding to questions ofdiscrimination in the workplace. This appliesfrom 6th April 2014 when the statutoryprocedure is abolished. The guidance providestips on how to raise and respond to questionsabout allegations relating to discrimination.
It does not give guidance on how quickly anemployer should be asked to respond. Thismight result in an employee trying to set adeadline which is less than the 8 weeks providedfor under the existing legislation.
Another practical difficulty may be that the informality of the process will result in a request that is not identified as a formal request further to the ACAS guidance being missed by the manager who receives it.
At least statutory questionnaires were easily identifiable, on a prescribed form with ‘The Equality Act 2010 – Discrimination and Other Prohibited Conduct’ written at thetop!
There is no penalty for breach of this ACASguidance but a Tribunal may look at whether anemployer has answered questions posed to it and,if so, the information that has been provided, asa contributory factor when making its decision inany discrimination claim brought by theemployee. In other words, it is likely thatTribunals will still take into account any failureto provide information where it has been askedfor by an employee who then goes on to bring adiscrimination claim.
“I too am Cambridge”Students speak out against racial
discrimination at Cambridge University
Inspired by the “I, Too, Am Harvard”campaign, in which a group of Harvard studentsspoke out against racial discrimination on campususing a photography project on Tumblr,Cambridge’s Black and Minority Ethnic campaignare giving students who identify as belonging toan ethnic minority the chance to have theirvoices heard.
Until the 13th of March members of the BMEcommittee were asking students to speak outabout discrimination. Yasmin Lawal, president of the BME campaign
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Acknowledgements to Varsity. Please see links overleaf.
“I too am Cambridge” Continued
stressed that the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the issues facing ethnicminority students at Cambridge University.
The campaign is similar to one run by the CUSUwomen’s campaign last year, in which passers-bywere asked to write on whiteboards why theyneeded feminism.
The campaign also aims to promote engagementwith the BME issues amongst the student body.Vice President Millie Ngage stressed thatstudents need not self identify as belonging toan ethnic minority in order to engage with theBME campaign.
“I want students to feel interested in what wehave to say, and even though it does not affectthem directly understand that it affects theirfriends or people they know,” she said.
BME events officer Mohamed Osman said:“We’re trying to get the same kind of popularsupport behind the BME campaign that thingslike the women’s campaign have, that the LGBT+campaigns have because we haven’t really hadthe same reception.
http://www.varsity.co.uk/news/7047https://www.facebook.com/events/525322477584441/
Clients
We have seen over 100 new clients so far andclosed a further 65 cases so far this year. Thebreakdown is as follows in the next column:
Accommodation 24Education 1Employment 17Family and others 8Goods and services 14Immigration 1Personal 5Taxation 4Welfare rights 56
Volunteers
We now have 20 active volunteers and we willbegin the new training cycle this month andanticipate that the training will take place on aSaturday.
We are still looking for volunteers especially twoto help with the new CHESS Marketing Strategyand social media presence, if you are interestedin volunteering then please contact Tony Lindsay,[email protected]
Training for Volunteers
The CHESS team members will be booking anumber of courses commencing in April 2014 –these courses are all related to the areas ofwelfare benefits, disability and employment.
There will be a training day on EmploymentSupport Allowance attended by CHESSvolunteers and partner organisations.
Tony Lindsay CMgr MCMI, CHESS Project Manager
Anna Savoie's “A month with CHESS”
I will admit that I was definitely nervous when I started working with CHESS – I didn’t know thepeople I’d be working with for the next month, I didn’t know a huge amount of law, not to mention thefact that I was in an entirely different country. Luckily, my nerves didn’t last long; they didn’t have achance to! Tony threw me right into some substantial work: creating an entire funding application, researching for casework, plus shadowing other CHESS members working with clients. I’d never done anything like that before, but Tony’s strategy worked well. I learned by doing, getting more confident as I went along, and I always had someone to check over my work and steer me in the right direction. I felt proud that I could do significant work for the organization despite the fact that I was a relatively inexperienced volunteer; I could do more
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Anna Savoie's “A month with CHESS” Continued
than just trivial assistance, but I always had a safety net when I needed it. When I think about my time working with CHESS, I’m reminded of something my mother mentioned to me about finding the right job: “I realized I didn’t care so much about what I was doing, as about who I was doing it
with.” The most wonderful thing aboutCHESS is that everyone cares aboutboth. I felt incredibly strongly aboutall the work I was doing even after justa few weeks, and that was nothingcompared to the dedication and passioneveryone at CHESS puts into theirwork. Moreover, CHESS was the mostwelcoming and friendly environment Icould have asked for. I felt right athome no matter who I was working with,loved coming into the office in themorning to see everyone and jokearound a bit, and soon felt like part of afamily. It was that magic combinationof doing something you care about, withpeople you care about, that made the
atmosphere at CHESS so fantastic. I’m so happy I’ll be coming back to Cambridge in the fall, and soexcited to be seeing everyone again and start back up working with CHESS!
Community Focus
Cambridge Chinese Community Centre – Chinese New Year Celebrations.
On 2nd February 2014 I had the privilege of beinginvited to attend Chinese New Year Celebrations,
bringing in the ‘NewYear of the Horse’, atthe Netherhall Schoolin Cambridge. I arrivedto a very busy scenewith people queuing tobuy tickets to get in,
food preparations under-way and performersstarting to get ready. The hall very quickly filled upand soon there where several hundred peoplepatiently waiting for the performances to begin. We had the opportunity to eat a delicious fayre ofChinese food before the invited dignitaries, including the Mayor of Cambridge and the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire gave opening speeches. The performances were a wonderful mix of acts both traditional and modern. The Chinese dancers were an incredible mix of colourful costumes and elegant moves. In a spirit of reaching out to the communities the Chinese Community Centre had invited others to perform. So we saw performances from the
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CHESS staff, volunteers and City MP Julian Huppert at a recent drop-in.
Chinese New Year Celebrations Continued
African, Polish and Thai communities as well as Chinese. I really enjoyed the proceedings and take this opportunity to congratulate the Chairman of the Chinese Community Centre, Mr Wei Sun, for a really wonderful event. Reported by Eddie Stadnik, Chief Officer
Cambridge Community Fashion Show Party
On Friday 28th February Toshie, Ila and Bumni and I helped to set up and attend an event called “Cambridge Community Fashion Show Party” held at StPhilips Centre on Mill Road in Cambridge. The event was
organized byMenelikEducation.
This was partof a biggerfund-raisingevent toraise both
monies and awareness of the work that Menelik Educationdo with women and children in the Congo. This was a superb opportunity to take part in a fantasticevent dedicated to; an evening celebrating diversity in our communities, delicious international cuisine,authentic cultural performances, and inspiring stories.
The fashion show was fascinating and truly colourful, showing off beautiful dresses from differentcultures not to mention all the stunning and beautiful models... After the event an international buffet was served, consisting of excellent food from both Africa and Europe followed by vibrant live music and a crowded dance floor!!!
Reported by Leila Farjani – CECF volunteer
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Lisette Mibo Menelik Educations Ambassador, TheodoreMenelik and Cambridge Mayor Cllr Paul Saunders
CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUM
Community Health
What is Advocacy?Advocacy is about supporting people tospeak up for their rights, eitherindividually or as a group.
The service is client-led, meaning youdecide the level of support required fromyour advocate.
This is a free and completely independent service for people aged 18-65.
As an idea of some of the cases we have helped with at CIAS this past quarter:
· We worked with a lady from Lithuania who is detained in Fulbourn under a section 37. The issue was her ex-Landlord had kept herpassport as a form of deposit for rent. As she is now not able to take up the tenancy due to the detention, we contacted andpressed the case to have passport returned. This was completed within one week.
· We have worked with a lady from China, who was suffering mental abuse from her husband. We have supported her to move outand into rented accommodation with her children, obtained housing benefit and ESA.
· A black Caribbean man was transferred from Peterborough Prison to hospital in Fulbourn. He was isolated and unhappy with thecleanliness of the room. We liaised with staff and managed a room change and extra beaks for him to socialise.
We have offices in Cambridge, Peterborough and March. If you would like to know more please contact:
Chris Young 07455 72654001223 218500
Governor Elections for Cambridge University Hospitals
I am writing to you the next round of governor elections for Cambridge University Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust. We would be delighted if you would consider standing in the 2014 elections and willgive you all the support we can should you decide to nominate yourself as a candidate.
This year there are 5 vacancies up for election: 2 in the patients’ constituency, 2 in the publicconstituency and 1 in the staff constituency. Nominations will be available from the Returning Officerat the following address from Monday 17th March 2014:
Electoral Reform ServicesThe Election Centre33 Clarendon RoadLONDON N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8889 9203 orEmail: [email protected]
A copy of the document ‘Governing for the future’ is available on request. It includes a full calendar ofimportant election events for your diary. From this you will see that the deadline for nominations isnoon on Thursday 10th April 2014 and ballot papers will be distributed to qualifying members onWednesday 7th May 2014 with the election results announced on Thursday 12th June 2014. The term ofoffice for newly elected governors commences on 1st July 2014.
Candidates are asked to provide the names of two Foundation Trust members from within the same constituency (public, patient or staff) to nominate you for the position of governor. If they are not currently members themselves they can easily become so by filling out an application form on-line at www.cuh.org.uk or by contacting Sally Rees.
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Community Health Continued
Potential candidates are strongly advised to attend one of the two “Governor awareness sessions” taking place in the Boardroom at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. They are on:
Wednesday 26th March 17:30–19:00 or Monday 31st March 14:00–15:30.
Please let me know which of the two sessions would suit you best. Attendance at one of these is highlyrecommended. The latest edition of the newsletter Members Matter has some election-relatedmaterial contained within it and can be found on the main website: www.cuh.org.uk/members-matter Ifyou have any questions that I have not covered here, or if you would like to meet/speak to an existinggovernor, please do not hesitate to call me for further information as I would be very happy toarrange. My direct-line telephone number is 01223 256 256 or you can email me on:[email protected] It is certainly an interesting time to be involved and I do hope you willgive serious consideration to standing for this challenging but worthwhile role.
Reported by Sally Rees, Membership ManagerTel: 01223 256 256 | Ext: 56 256 | www.cuh.org.uk
Events
KHIDMAT SISTERS
A THIRD EVENT TO GET TOGETHER AND GO!
A coffee morning on Monday 7th April 2014At The Cherry Hinton Village Centre
From 10am to 12pm
Event will include;
stories and poems by women writersbring a dish and talk about itcrochet and crafts demonstrationlucky dip and sale of clothes
Lots of fun and music
Bring your friends
An all ladies only event. A contribution of £3 will be appreciatedto book a place contact Mrs Qamar Nizam : e mail [email protected]
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Events Continued
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Education and Training
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Services provided on CECF site
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Supported by: In Partnership with:
CECF StafChief Officer: Eddie StadnikCHESS Project Manager: Tony LindsayFinancial Administrator Officer:Toshie Kono
CECF TrusteesChair: Isaac Ayamba Secretary: Samia BaigTreasurer: Joyce Andrade
CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUM
Members: Farah MoughalShahid KhanAmina KhanBalan SisupalanRobin AnthonyMrs Yan Wang
Developing Partnerships with
Cambridge City CouncilCambridgeshire County Council
Cambridgeshire Race Equality and Diversity ServiceCambridgeshire NHS
Citizens Advice BureauDisability Cambridgeshire
Equality and Human Rights CommissionEast Of England Local Government Association
Guidance, Employment and Training (Cambridge GET)Huntingdonshire Community Association
IR Immigration LawThe First Law Partnership
Lawson Hunte Immigration ServicesSouth Cambridgeshire District Council
Legal-Aided Immigration AdviceMonthly surgery. First session on 9th April 2-5pm
For advice or to book an appointment telephone CECF Office on 01223 655 241 or please contact The First Law Partnership immigration team on
Tel: 01582 720 193 08456 88 88 78
E-mail: [email protected]
The First Law Partnership
Italian Benefit Advice
First Friday of every Month from 10am - 12 (noon)
To book an appointment, please contact
Carlo Ciccarello on 01234 357 889
Cambridgeshire Human-Rights and Equality Support Services (CHESS)
Helps individuals who have been victims of discrimination, or who have been a victim of racial harassment.
Monday & Friday 10am – 5pmTues, Weds & Thurs 10am – 7pm
To book an appointment, please contactTel: 01223 462 615 or Email: [email protected]
For furtherinformationplease contact;
Cambridge EthnicCommunity Forum
01223 655 241
