With around 33,000 residents in Derbyshire belonging to an ethnic minority it's more important now than ever that we continue creating welcoming neighbourhoods where people want to live and work now and in the future.
To help support this we involve Derbyshire's black, minority and ethnic (BME) communities on an ongoing basis through our BME forum working in partnership with Links to help build 2-way communication. View their Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire CVS Facebook page.
Key achievements
The BME forum has worked closely with our public health team on a number of initiatives including cardio-vascular disease prevention, health check sessions and helping people to know where to go for help.
They've also worked in partnership with adult care to translate information about the support available when they or their relatives are discharged from hospital.
The forum has been supporting the library service to develop foreign language collections and increase the use of Derbyshire's libraries by BME residents, they've also advised on the installation of a welcome screen in community languages at Chesterfield Library.
The delivery of conference workshops in Chesterfield has helped raise awareness of the different needs that BME residents can have, for example dietary, social, religious or those arising from language.
BME representatives have also worked closely with our front line staff to develop a shared understanding of the practical needs of BME residents.
Community Safety has collaborated with the forum on a seminar for the providers of support services for victims of domestic abuse to help develop a mutual understanding of need.
Unfortunately, some individuals can be victims of hate related crimes in the county. We've carried out a scrutiny review of hate crime across the county and the support provided to victims. Testimony provided from the forum and their members has helped inform this process.
Committed to fighting discrimination
We're committed to eliminating discrimination in the county and have equality and diversity at the heart of everything we do. We aim to make sure everyone has an equal voice and equal opportunities.
Minority ethnic groups that we are working closely with through the BME forum include:
You can find details of other minority organisations by searching the Derbyshire Directory.
Find out more about our work around equality and diversity.
If you have any queries contact Michael Evans, email: michael.evans@derbyshire.gov.uk