The Social Enterprise are offering a FREE internet service to BME people. They are particularly wanting to attract BME women with mental health problems. It is not mandatory for you to be able to have used computers in the past as classes are held on Friday mornings at Alpha Tutorials which is based at 308 Melton Road, Leicester. If you require any further information please call Hasmukh on 07713859933.
Health
LEMP is currently in discussion with Leicester and Leicestershire PCT over future BME consultation needs. As part of this process LEMP is intending to hold a consultation exercise in partnership with the PCT’s and the BME voluntary and community sector, a date is still to be confirmed but likely to be held at the end of 2008.
Leicester strategic Partnership
As part of the review on communities of interest representation of Leicester Strategic Partnership and as part of an on going commitment LEMP is hoping to hold an event to seek the BME VCS views over future BME representation on the LSP and its theme groups.
County BME VCS Strategy
LEMP is currently in the planning process of developing a major conference for the BME VCS in the county and inviting major non-BME and district level infrastructure organisations. The intention of this event is to consolidate the work that LEMP has been doing in partnership with district level voluntary actions in order to develop a BME VCS diversity strategy we hope to schedule this for the beginning of Oct 2008 depending on funding.
New Arrivals and Emerging Communities
LEMP has recognised that there is a growing trepidation with new emerging communities that are moving into Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Currently Leicester has been categorised as having one of the largest Migration populations in Britain.
LEMP is currently undertaking seven mapping exercises within Rutland, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, Blaby, Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Hinckley & Bosworth. This is being done with the District/Borough Councils, CVS's and Voluntary Actions. This is to distinguish where the new migrant communities are currently living and working within the county and the gaps that exist in their engagement and their communities. We aim to finish the mapping exercises by the beginning of February 2008. Which will then enable us to create a BME Diversity Strategy to ensure the gaps in their community activity and involvement can be addressed as well as ensuring their needs are clearly and accurately communicated to relevant agencies that have a duty to provide support to all communities namely the district and borough councils as well as the CVS’s and voluntary actions.
We are also working in partnership with Voluntary Action Melton, Age Concern and the existing Polish community in Melton to create awareness about the needs of the new emerging Polish community in the district. The main aims and objectives of this is to address the barriers to their needs and focus on improving outcomes from public services such as Employment, Education, Housing, Health and Social Care.
During this process LEMP has identified TWO main concerns so far which are –
Housing –
Due to the new arrivals not having a credit history they are denied
access to the private housing market as well as not being able to
obtain mortgages.
Language Barriers –
Services need to be supported in meeting these communities needs such
as training, recruitment of people with appropriate language skills etc.
If
you require any further information in reference to the above please
contact Panita Chohan the BME Partnership Development Officer.
To meet the above outcomes we collectively put together an event which was held on Sandy Lane, Melton.
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