Benefits

Membership is free and the benefits are great, some of the ways in which groups will benefit through are:

• Access to support on a variety of issues


• Regular news and information updates through our newsletter and email mailing list


• Members can advertise their events both on our website and newsletter


• Good networking opportunities


• Opportunities to become involved in partnership projects with other members organisations


• Possibilities for joint funding bids


• Tailored training

All member groups/organisations are eligible to nominate a member of their group to be part of BMECS Management Board or one of its sub-committees to ensure full representation of their Organisation. The BMECS full management board meets 4 times a year and memebers may be contacted to help with specific urgent decisions. The meetings are not meant to be more that one and half hours in duration. Being part of the board means you are part of the decision making team.

Membership Requirements

• They must be a group of people who have joined together voluntarily to take action for the benefit of the BME community, and established otherwise than for financial gain.


• They must provide social, health and/or educational opportunities for a group or groups of Black and Minority Ethnic people.


• They must have or be willing to develop an equal opportunity statement and policy


• They MUST support BME Community Services’ charitable purposes and subscribe to its aims and values.


• Have a clearly defined purpose.


• Have a decision-making mechanism (e.g. a committee).


• Have a set of rules or a constitution.


• Keep financial records and a bank account.


• OR must be willing to working towards achieving the above.

Should you not have any of the above documents in place, please contact us for guidance and support.

Application process

• Groups and organisations interested in membership should contact BME Community Services for an application pack or click here to download an application form


• The BMECS Board members decide on membership applications based on the information that the organisation has provided and any knowledge of the organisation that individual members of the Committee or staff may have.

Individual Membership

• BME Community Services welcomes new members at any time. Individual or Family membership is free and open to all members from BME and mixed parentage people and their families, including fostered or adoptive families living in the target area. Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities include people from Africa, Asia, Arabia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and any other communities that consider themselves as ethnic minorities. Members are required to complete an application form and agree to data protection requirements. Members may come as referrals from the health services, social services or any other partner service and self referrals. If you are interested in membership contact BME Community Services for an application pack or click here to download an application form



• Associate Members – Anyone is interested in and supports the objectives of BMECS can become an associate member, please contact us for details.