WREN

WREN

Winter 2014

Warwickshire Race Equality News

Joining The Dots!

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WREP Officers

Junaid Hussain

Chief Executive

Claire Edwards

Office Manager &

Company Secretary

Doreen Wallace

Administration Officer

Mioara Heghi

Finance Officer

Priya Tek-Kalsi

Race Equality

Officer

Suki Rai

Senior Engagement

Officer

Rikesh Mistry

BME Sport & Wellbeing

Officer

Registered Office: Room 127, Morgan Conference Suite, Warwickshire College – Rugby Centre,

Technology Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1AR

Registered as a Limited Company – Number 5484208 Registered as a Charity – Number 1111481

Registered in England & Wales

WELCOME

Welcome to the Warwickshire Race Equality News (WREN).

Our newsletter will provide you with a snapshot of our engagement work with the communities

we support in Warwickshire. It will also give you an insight into the different aspects of our work

and partnerships.

Our vision is an environment where race and equality is valued and inequality is challenged in a

proactive way.

Our Vision

Our Mission

To work towards the elimination of race discrimination by supporting individuals, communities

and partners with specialist services, advice and guidance.

Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership, Room 127, Morgan Conference Suite,

Warwickshire College - Rugby Centre, Technology Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1AR

01788 863117 info@wrep.org.uk Web: www.wrep.org.uk

wrep_warks wrep-warwickshire-race-equality-partnership

Contact Details

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Junaid Hussain

Chief Executive

Joining The Dots!

WREP is proud to be launching its report, “Adult Social Care Experiences of Black

and Minority Ethnic Older People in Warwickshire”.

This particular piece of work finalises the 15 month project that was undertaken by

Suki Rai, the Lead Project Officer, in support of the affected BME Day Care Groups

across Warwickshire, the individuals going through the Fair Access to Care Services

(FACS) Assessment and people with Personal Care Plans.

Adult and Social Care has been and continues to be an absolute minefield and

not just for the BME groups! Understanding the component elements of Adult

Social Care, who does what, what support is available and who can I speak to,

are only a few of the questions that have been put to us over the duration of the

past several years. As easy as these questions may seem, unfortunately the

answers have proved very complex indeed. Adding a layer of difference in terms

of language, culture or religion to the mix of Adult Social Care has undoubtedly

multiplied its complexity and subsequently impacted on members from the BME

communities of Warwickshire receiving a “personalised” service.

The report itself takes an in-depth view of

6 case studies and examines the religious

and cultural requirements of these

individuals that will enable them to lead

an independent and happy life. To say

the very least, the work of WREP has been

about joining the dots, firstly in terms of

our understanding of Adult Social Care,

communicating this information to the

members we serve and informing ASC

Se rv ices o f the need s and

requirements of BME groups across

Warwickshire.

For a copy of the report, please contact the WREP office and we will happily

send you an electronic or hard copy. Alternatively, please access the WREP

website, www.wrep.org.uk for the full report.

Adult Social Care

Experiences of

Black and Minority

Ethnic

Older People in

Warwickshire

Registered Office: Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership, Room 127, Morgan Conference Suite, Warwickshire College – Rugby

Centre, Technology Drive, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1AR

Registered as a Limited Company - Number 5484208 Registered as a Charity - Number 1111481

Registered in England & Wales

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WREP engages with our

service users and feeds back

to service providers, such as

the NHS and Social Services.

We feel very supported by

WREP officers and feel secure

that we have someone to turn

to.

We want WREP to ensure that

the important issue of equali-

ties is high on the NHS

Agenda.

Face to face community engagement by WREP ensured WCC

were able to improve a BME response rate from 2% to 12%.

WCC Consultation Survey Responses

WREP Successes in 2014

WREP has over 100 members in the public, voluntary and community sector and we

engage with groups and meet with individuals, on a one-to-one basis, across the county.

WREP has secured funding support from various organisations including:

Awards for All Big Lottery CSWP

Warwickshire Police

Stratford Town Trust

Sportivate

We can help your organisation better access the BME community in Warwickshire.

Please get in touch on: 01788 863117 or email: info@wrep.org.uk

Warwickshire County Council WCVYS

Warwickshire & West Mercia

Community Rehabilitation Company

Woodward Trust

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WREP Noticeboard

Are you a Warwickshire Community Group?

Do you have an upcoming event, activity or meeting

you wish to advertise?

If yes to both questions, then we may be able to help you!

WREP, through its multimedia services, can advertise your activity through our WREP

website, email contacts, Facebook & Twitter.

If you are interested in using our services, please contact Doreen Wallace at

01788 863117 or email doreenwallace@wrep.org.uk

WREP Volunteers

Meet the wonderful people who give their time to actively

support the work of WREP and the communities

Abdul Din

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

Maarya Abwat-Johnson

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

Jai Mistry

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

Zainab Gelu

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

Zeb Ghumra

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

Maria Grygierzec

Volunteer (Community

Engagement)

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WREP Community Engagement - A snapshot

WREP Legal & Civil Rights Seminars WREP 5 Ways of Wellbeing Talks

New Boccia Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Samagam G & T Boxing

Jai & Rugby Tangos Young, Free & Equal Project G & T Engagement

Khalsa Presentation Armchair Exercises New Age Kurling

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Priya Tek-Kalsi Race Equality Officer

Casework & Engagement

Community Engagement -

Stratford upon Avon

Casework

WREP has seen a rise in the number

of cases over the past few months.

WREP continues to support victims

and witnesses of race discrimination

through our specialist advice

service.

The majority of cases WREP deals

with are discrimination when

accessing goods and services and

employment discrimination.

Roma, Gypsy & Traveller Engagement

WREP is continuing to engage with

Council-run traveller sites across

Warwickshire.

WREP works in partnership with other

agencies i.e. Adult Community

Learning, the Family Information

Service, children's centres, health

visitors etc., to provide a

comprehensive support structure as

and when required.

Legal and Civil Rights Project

WREP has been working closely with

agencies and community members

in Stratford upon Avon to research

what support is required for minority

groups.

WREP has successfully delivered 4

free seminars: Employment Rights in

Nuneaton; Welfare Rights in Rugby;

Criminal Justice System in Nuneaton;

and Housing Rights in Rugby.

These seminars were a direct result of

engagement with community

groups and individuals who felt that

they were not fully aware of their

legal and civil rights.

WREP believes it is important for every-

one, but especially those who are new

to the UK, to have this knowledge.

Many are not aware of how to access

information on their legal and civil

rights in this country and face barriers

accessing this information.

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Suki Rai Senior Engagement Officer

Supporting and Engaging with our

Communities in Warwickshire

Types of issues experienced Community & Individual Issues

Area Community Individual

Warwick District 7 2

North

Warwickshire

11 0

Nuneaton &

Bedworth

21 4

Rugby 6 1

Stratford 0 1

Countywide 4 0

- Access to Mental Health

- Health Awareness

- Traveller Issues

- Community Tensions (Traveller /

settled)

- Access to Sports - BME Women and

Children

- Facilities for young Asian girls

- Lack of awareness around dementia

- Awareness around Mental Health

One of the issues raised by the Satkaar Day

Care Centre was the lack of referrals

coming into the organisation.

WREP worked with Satkaar to help produce

a leaflet publicising the services of Satkaar.

The Satkaar Committee conveyed great

thanks to WREP for all their help.

Satkaar

A trip to the Liverpool Slavery Museum

with 11-24 year olds.

The young people found out about

the history of Black people in Britain.

They also looked at contemporary

slavery.

The young people had a chance to

talk about what their identity and

culture meant to them.

Special thanks to Maarya Abwat-

Johnson, Zeb Ghumra & Vic Jones for

their support with this project and

participation on the day.

Liverpool ‘Young, Free & Equal’ Project

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Gypsy and Traveller Community

Dementia Awareness Presentations

WREP was approached by members of the Gypsy

and Traveller community with issues they were

experiencing on their respective sites. Through WREP

liaising with local authorities and Warwickshire

County Council, these issues have been resolved.

WREP also hold regular drop-in sessions at the sites

where information and advice is offered. This also

gives the site residents an opportunity to come

forward with any issues they may be experiencing.

Some of the issues that have been highlighted

include access to health, adult education, welfare

rights and carer support.

Presentations were delivered to community

groups throughout Warwickshire. 232 BME

community members took part.

The presentations consisted of a short talk

and discussions around reducing the risks of

Dementia, and recognising the early signs

with a focus on memory loss.

Living well with Dementia leaflets and

wristbands were handed out.

As a result of the presentation:

- At least three people have

spoken to their GP about memory

tests.

- One person took part in the

health check and was told they

had high blood pressure and has

subsequently been diagnosed

and is on regular medication for

high blood pressure.

- One group decided that they

were going to set up a walking

group.

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Rikesh Mistry

BME Sport & Wellbeing Officer

BME Sport & Wellbeing Project

Sportivate Projects

WREP successfully secured funding from

Sportivate to deliver taster projects over 6

weeks for BME communities in Warwickshire.

Men’s Fitness Sessions

Boot camp fitness for 16-24 year olds in

the Nuneaton area;

For inactive people and those that

want to try to get involved in fitness.

Mixed Volleyball Sessions

Aimed at men & women from the BME

communities in Rugby;

Well attended with positive response

from the participants regarding the

volleyball coach and sessions. Mixed Badminton Sessions

Organised for the Rugby Hindu Youth

Group and delivered by a local

badminton coach;

Participants included young boys and

girls and some adults.

Boxing Project

This took place at a Rugby Traveller

site;

The aim - to keep the young children

active during the summer holidays;

Sessions based around basic non-

contact boxing movements and a

boxing related fitness routine;

The group really enjoyed the sessions

on their site.

Women's Fitness Sessions

Took place at the Abbey Community

Hall in Nuneaton;

Positive response / feedback from the

participants and instructor.

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Asians in Football Research

This European-wide research project

explores the lack of people from Asian

communities involved in the football

industry. It focuses on: Barriers or problems facing Asians;

Views and opinions regarding Asians

in the football industry;

What should be done to make sure

more Asians are able to participate;

Racism in the industry and how it

should be tackled.

The FA Asians in Football Consultation Forum

WREP officers attended this event which

was organised by the FA at the West

Bromwich Football Club; Views from people from the local

community were explored; WREP officers met Adil Nabi who

currently plays for West Bromwich

Albion Football Club. Adil hopes to be a role model for Asians to

encourage them to break into the football

industry.

From left to right:

Adil Nabi & WREP

Officer, Junaid

Hussain

Jai Mistry has continued to work

successfully with the Rugby Town

Junior Football Club;

He has completed a year of

coaching and started his 2nd

season with the club.

WREP Volunteers

Abdul Din is

back

volunteering for

WREP;

He is helping out

with the

‘keeping active’

sessions in

Warwickshire.

WREP organised self defence sessions for

women over a 6 week period;

The women & girl participants really

enjoyed the sessions;

They gained confidence and learnt new

skills to make them feel safe and more

aware of their surroundings.

Women Only Self Defence - Nuneaton

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Promoting Equality

through

Partnership

We provide a range of free and impartial Race Equality

services including:

Advice and support for victims of race discrimination

and racial harassment

Engaging with communities to identify need and to

influence local services

Promoting good relations by raising awareness of

different cultures and bringing all communities

together

Providing key Race Equality information

Tel: 01788 863117 Email: info@wrep.org.uk Web: www.wrep.org.uk Twitter: WREP_Warks Facebook: Warwickshire-race equality-partnership

Registered Office: Room 127, Morgan Conference Suite, Warwickshire College – Rugby Centre, Technology Drive, Rugby CV21 1AR

Registered as a Limited Company – No 5484208 Registered as a Charity – No 1111481

Registered in England & Wales