Magazine – Equality In Action

• To ensure that people are kept informed on relevant issues


• To raise money to continue to carry out the important work that we do


• To celebrate the achievements of people from BME communities


• To recognise organisations that are proactive in engaging and working well with BME communities


• To voice out and highlight issues faced by BME communities in West Sussex and nationally


• To feature and recognise the companies in Sussex that have an integrative and welcoming equality policies and processes in place to show how welcoming they are to the emerging BME communities in their workplace


Please visit the publications page to view the magazine issues.

BMECS Training Programme

We offer a wide range of training around equality, diversity, cultural awareness, inclusion, health & wellbeing. Training can be tailored to meet the strategic and specific needs of organisations in any sector. Courses include:

• Equality Impact Assessment


• Racial Discrimination/Harassment Awareness Training


• Cultural awareness


• Equality & Diversity in the work place


• Managing Diversity


• HIV & AIDS Awareness for Communities & Professionals


• Understanding culture

Black & Minority Ethnic Events and Resources, West Sussex

A central website where any organisation, group or business can advertise their event for the benefit of BME people in West Sussex. The website also offers news, blogs and many more. Click here to take a look

Programme for the Advancement of Personal Achievement (PAPA)

An educational project aimed at changing the views and perceptions of young BME people about education, police and life in general.

We will do this through workshops and open discussions that inform, educate and empower them to focus on their goals in life and achieve them:

• What is criminal activity and who is affected by it - with local community Probation officer


• Stop & Search – with Community Police Liaison /Police Officer


• Introduction to the issues surrounding sexual health to the young people


• Visit to Lewes prison to experience a prison environment & talk to inmates
• Open discussions


• Click here to see leaflet


• Click here to see the Poster

Sussex Akota Women Alliance (SAWA)

A Project for Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Women.
Aims

• To empower ethnic minority women in West Sussex by enhancing the skills and potential of women through sensitive and appropriate socioeconomic support which is recognised by all sectors of the community as being underpinned by quality and equality.


• To Empower and foster the confidence of Black, Asian, African and other ethnic minority women through building their confidence, encouraging them to participate in civic roles, on school boards and other volunteering activities.

Activities

• Advocacy & Peer Emotional Support


• Health Activities - walking groups; Women only Swimming Classes


• Workshops: sewing class; healthy eating


• Socials - Luncheons; Outings


• Training Courses - Raising Educational Achievement


• Social & Cultural Advantages Eid, Diwali, Easter and others


• Volunteers Work Placement


• Relationship & Family Counselling

For joining details please contact the Dvelopment and Support Officer Henna Chowdhury on 07501721183 or complete the online enquiry on our contact details page

BME Health Projects

The Project is primarily aimed at Black and Minority Ethnic People focusing on the following high risk groups:

• HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Awareness


• Children & young people


• Drug and alcohol misuse


• Victims of domestic violence


• prevent Suicide or deal with its consequences (in particular those at risk of depression and mental illness)

The project works with groups & individuals to:

• Promote work with families encouraging them access the appropriate services in their areas and register with GP where people are not.


• provide workshops that promote family learning in relation to healthy living


• offer one to one advocacy, advice and other appropriate forms of support


• Provide information and guidance about the available services in the area and ensure cultural sensitivity issues are dealt with appropriately


• Encourage BME people to take advantage of health checks (MOT) to help catch and hopefully cure diseases earlier


• Promote networks and works in partnership with other agencies and organisations, for sharing of ideas, resources and good practice in working methods


• Help address issues that affect newly arrived families


• supportively 'signposts' BME people to mainstream services

We offer the following Support:

• Referral


• Advice


• Befriending


• Outreach


• Advocacy

Community Involvement

Community action is key. This means responses by and for local people, carried out through community-based groups. Communities know best what works for them in their particular context. They know how to identify and support those most in need, building new ways of working and coping. We offer one to one support for people Living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Cancer and other serious illness through emotional support and signposting to appropriate services. We organise workshops focussing on cultural sensitivity around dealing with HIV anwareness and prevention, sexual health and social care for people.