Join MENTER

Read the latest newsletter

Content in the information below has been supplied by external sources. MENTER can take no responsibility for the accuracy of the material, nor should their inclusion be taken to indicate MENTER  endorsement.

Education and Training

Arts, History and Culture

Languages

Race Equality

National Change  Up Hub Links

Migrant, asylum seekers and refugee issues

Equality

Regional Networks & VCS infrastructure

Funding

BME Community links

Faiths Calendar

Health

Parenting

Employment

Sports

Business

Other Regional BME Networks

International Development

Education/Training

UK NARIC: certificates for overseas qualifications
UK NARIC is the organisation responsible for preparing certificates of comparability for all foreign qualifications. UK NARIC charges a fee for this service. For advice and information please contact:
UK NARIC
ECCTIS Ltd
Oriel House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire  GL50 1XP

Tel. 01242 260010
Fax 01242 258611
 

There is a local NARIC office at Suffolk College on 01473 296552

Thurrock Council Education Services
www.thurrock.gov.uk/education
Serving the community by: raising educational aspiration and standards, tackling underachievement and educational disadvantage, developing and maintaining an inclusive approach encompassing early years education and lifelong learning as well as statutory school provision, and supporting the active participation of the community in local schools

Bedfordshire & Luton Education Business Partnership
www.blebp.co.uk
The Bedfordshire & Luton Education Business Partnership web pages offershelp to students and provides a quality innovation and brokerage service to employers, schools, colleges, communities and volunteers who need help, support, advice and guidance.

YMCA Training
www.ymcatraining.org.uk
YMCA Training is one of the UK's leading training organisations, working with individuals, organisations and local communities from over 50 locations throughout the country. It offers work-based learning that will help equip young people and adults with the tools for a successful future.

Hillcroft (National Women’s Residential College)

www.hillcroft.ac.uk
Hillcroft is the only college for women within the adult residential sector in the UK. It exists to help women who have not previously been able to fulfil their potential through learning and is open to women aged 19 or over. There are no entrance qualifications and grants are available to cover costs for most students. A special feature is additional support to enable women who have previously struggled in education to achieve success. Hillcroft is situatedtwo minutes walk from Surbiton station. For more you can visit our website its www.hillcroft.ac.uk

Living Values Education Program (LVEP)
www.livingvalues.net
Living Values Education Program (LVEP) is a comprehensive values education program. This innovative global character education program offers a wide variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to educators, facilitators, parents and caregivers that enable children and young adults to explore and develop twelve universal values.  In addition to programs for classrooms and parent groups, LVEP offers special materials for street children, children affected by war, and children affected by earthquakes.

Back to top

Languages

Living Word Language Services
Based in Northampton, The Living Word provide translations and interpretations into most languages and in any subject area. All translaters and proofreaders are certified linguists qualified in translations and experienced in their specialist subjects.The Living Word provide a free trial service. This involves  providing you with a small test translation by 2-3 translators in the languages which you use most regularly.

For more information contact:
Katharine Marr
tel: 01954 205406,
email: katharine@livingword.co.uk

More than a language.....
More than a Language .....  is about English for speakers of other languages in the learning and skills sector. It is an interim report of the independent committee of inquiry set up by NIACE (the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education). The report aims to address some of the tough challenges in the ESOL area and makes early recommendations. Readers are encouraged to discuss this document and to respond to it. The document can be found at:
http://www.niace.org.uk/projects/esol-enquiry/documents/MoreThanALanguage_Interim Report_secured.pdf

The committee is chaired by Derek Grover CBE and the final report will be launched at a conference on 03 October 2006

Back to top

Arts/History/Culture

Voluntary Arts England
Voluntary Arts England has been operating out of offices in Newcastle upon Tyne since 2004. VAE provides a comprehensive information and free advice service for the sector.
Voluntary Arts England
PO Box 1056 Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1UE
Tel: 0191 230 4464
www.vaengland.org.uk

Do you get the VA England newsletter?
Timely snippets of England-specific information sent weekly on the latest arts jobs, policy, funding news and useful information to help your organisation thrive. Sign up at www.vaengland.org.uk/news Tell us your news!

Black History Month (BHM) in Norfolk
www.norfolkblackhistorymonth.org.uk/
Black History Month (BHM) is held every October in Britain and was first celebrated in 1987. It aims to:

• Promote knowledge of Black History and experience
• Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society
• Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people in their cultural heritage

East of England Anand Mela
www.peterboroughmela.tk
Promoting Indian arts and culture in the UK.

Back to top

BME Group and Community Links

Voice for Change England

http://voice4change-england.co.uk

Voice4Change England is a new Partnership of national and regional organisations that speaks for the Black and Minority Ethnic 3rd Sector

Community Development Exchange
http://www.cdx.org.uk/
Formerly known as the Standing Conference for Community Development (SCCD), CDX is the UK-wide membership organisation for community development.

CDX works to ensure that community development (CD) is recognised and supported as a powerful way of tackling inequality and achieving social justice. As an organisation with members from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, CDX reflects a diverse range of interests in community development across all sectors and fields.

Black UK Online
www.blackukonline.com
A site with a very wide range of links including for example: accommodation, entertainment, advice centres, fashion, arts and crafts, food and drink, business and legal services.

Bedford Community Rights Centre
www.bcrc-advice.co.uk
Bedford Community Rights Centre operates throughout Bedfordshire, providing independent, confidential and free advice and representation for all members of the general public and organisations, requiring help with welfare benefits and Employment Law related matters.

Ravidassia Community Centre
www.ravidassia.co.uk
Ravidassia Community Centre consistently strives towards fulfilling the needs of a Multicultural Society

Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities
www.worldforum.org.uk
Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities exists to address the needs and aspirations of the minority ethnic communities of Stevenage. We aim to improve the quality of life, fulfil potential and enhance participation in the education, social, economic and cultural life of the borough. We endeavour to achieve this by fostering understanding across all communities and by working in partnership with statutory providers and the voluntary sector

The Irish Society (East Of England)
www.irishsocietyofeastanglia.co.uk
Irish community service for the east of England.

Kings Lynn asylum and refugee support
www.klarskl.org.uk
Kings Lynn asylum and refugee support, which tries to help and support asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers.

The Refugee Council
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
Giving practical help and promoting refugees' rights in Britain and abroad.

Waveney Community Forum
www.waveneycf..uk
Waveney Community Forum was set up in 2000 by members of local charities and community groups, who recognised the need for an umbrella organisation to represent the interests of the voluntary sector in Waveney.

Peterborough Women's Centre
www.peterboroughwomenscentre.org.uk
Peterborough Women's Centre is an organisation run by women, for women. PWC is a charitable organisation, unique in Peterborough, committed to the needs of its users. We aim to address and provide for the needs of our users, both in the centre and by outreach work in the community. We focus on raising awareness of women's issues, women's rights and women's education and personal development, and also promote interagency links with both statutory and voluntary agencies in Peterborough

The Gypsy Council
www.thegypsycouncil.org
Currently a hub to various internet links.

THE FLEET (ICA)
www.thefleet-ica.co.uk
Here at THE FLEET (ICA) in Peterborough, our experienced staff will be waiting to welcome you. It's a fun place to hold any function, with excellent facilities for everyone's needs (including our new Internet Access Service). The site is useful for any kind of celebration, parties, conferences, or any other social event.

Nacro
www.nacro.org
Nacro, The crime reducing charity. Nacro's vision is a safer society where everyone belongs, human rights are respected and preventing crime means tackling social exclusion and re-integrating those who offend

Rural Communities Charity
www.bedsrcc.org.uk
The home page of Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

ARC
www.arcuk.org.uk
ARC is a membership organisation, which supports providers of services to people with a learning disability. Member's services include daytime & leisure activities, support to people in their own homes, residential services, training for employment, special schools & colleges, staff training and information and advice.

Deafblind UK
www.deafblind.org.uk
Deafblind UK is a national charity which provides a range of support services to deafblind adults and their carers. It also campaigns on behalf of deafblind people.

CRSG (the Cambridge Refugee Support Group)
www.crsg.org.uk
CRSG (the Cambridge Refugee Support Group) offers guidance, information and support to asylum seekers and refugees of all nationalities. This help is free, confidential and independent. We assist clients in their search for:

• Food, shelter and long-term housing
• Interpreters, translators and legal signposting
• Medical treatment and counselling
• Benefit issues and finance
• English language teaching and assessment
• Employment and training

Great Yarmouth International Association
Great Yarmouth International Association: Its aims are to bring together the different BME residents of Great Yarmouth by organising cultural and social events, integrating the whole community, experiencing the differences in our, language, cultural heritage, customs, food& traditions

GYIA
http://gyia.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk

EJ News
EJNews provides news, comment and analysis on the right to refuge and press freedom around the world. It is written by journalists who have been forced to seek exile after facing persecution in their home countries simply for doing their job. The Pdf version of the newsletter can be dowloaded from:EJNews, Issue Two, May 2006

Please email your comments to Forward at ejn@mediawise.org.uk or 0117 941 5890

Back to top

Faiths

2006 Faiths Calendar
The 2006 Faiths Calendar is now available on our website www.eefaithscouncil.org.uk

Back to top

Health Links

METRAN
The Minority Ethnic Transplant Network (METRAN) is a newly founded national transplant network for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) transplant support groups, organisations and individuals. This includes individuals who are awaiting, or have had a tissue or organ transplant, together with anyone who is receiving treatment at a transplant clinic in UK following transplantation elsewhere.

METRAN is carrying out a fundamental consultation of its role and future direction the result of which will be a short-term to medium-term business plan with proposals for implementation from 5th September 2006. This consultation runs from 15th May 2006 and ends on 25th June 2006.

To participate in this consultation process, please click on the link below: http://www.metran.org.uk

Suffolk Carers
www.suffolk-carers.co.uk
Support for people caring at home.

Back to top

Parenting

www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Parentline Plus works to offer help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents.

Are you a BME parent? If yes, please fill in the Black and minority ethnic (BME) parent’s survey – ParentLine are interested to hear your views, about whether you are receiving the info and support that you need, in all areas of parenting - from your child’s education through to parenting teenagers. If you have a few minutes to spare please visit the website and fill in the on-line survey: www.parentlineplus.org.uk/bmeparentssurvey

Back to top

Black and Minority Ethnic parents support their children in education

The Runnymede Trust is currently looking at how best to help Black and Minority Ethnic parents support their children in education. We hope, at the end of our research, to produce accessible fact sheets to help parents fully understand the education system and enable them to engage actively and confidently with their children's schools, teachers and relevant/useful community organisations in order to improve their children's educational achievement. There will also be supplementary guidance and suggestions for teachers and schools.

As part of the research we have an online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=420022213523 which we would like as many parents and teachers as possible to complete. We would be very grateful if you could circulate this information as widely as possible.

If you would like more information, please contact realhistories@runnymedetrust.org

Back to top

Bullying
The charity Bullying Online is carrying out The National Bullying Survey 2006 which includes sections for parents, pupils, teachers and older people who were bullied at school in the past. We’re particularly keen to have the views of people of every race, colour, creed and culture in this six month-long project which was launched in January. We know that racism is a real issue in some communities and one of the questions we ask in the survey is whether people have suffered this problem.  Would you be kind enough to include a link to this survey on your website and also to publicise it through other websites and community groups? Many councils are already linking to it as are other charities, police forces and youth organisations and it would be great if your website could link to it too. We’ll link back to your website from the survey site.

The National Bullying Survey 2006 is at www.thenationalsurvey.co.uk or you can reach it through the banner on the home page of the Bullying Online website. It’s completely anonymous and should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Back to top

Employment links

Black and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Sector Workers Research Project
The Federation for Community Development Learning is running a survey of the skills development needs of Black and minority ethnic (BME) voluntary & community sector workers, both paid and unpaid. Such workers can contribute online at http://fcdl.illuminaries.co.uk/ by 30 June and have a chance of getting community development training resources worth £60 in return.

Back to top

International Development

www.tsunamika.org
The project has focused on the fisherwomen who were traumatized by the Tsunami disaster. The initial aim of the project was to help the women overcome the traumas they experienced, by getting them involved in some creative handicraft work which could channel their energy in a constructive manner. For this purpose, 480 ladies from 6 coastal villages were given handicraft training to make a small doll using waste fabric, which are available through local ambassadors.

Back to top

www.cfdnetwork.co.uk
Connections for Development
Connections for Development is a UK, BME led, membership-based organisation committed to ensuring that the many Black & minority ethnic communities that are here in the UK are involved in shaping and delivering policy and projects that affect our world.Others refer to this as international development, but for us, the people and communities in the UK who reflect all of that developing world, it is simply ‘our world’.

CfD does not undertake international development or overseas projects. Our role is to help BME civil society in the UK become actively involved in delivering, funding and determining the work that makes a difference to our world. BME people must be confident that we work for them, they work for our world. We are:

• establishing a network of like minded people and organisations
• undertaking research within, and with, BME communities informing our membership about all aspects of development
• ensuring that BME participation is guaranteed in all policy making
• supporting our membership, helping them to be strong enough for the task
• connecting our communities to our world.

CfD feels that many in our communities do not understand that they are already actively involved in international development. Some examples are religious establishments that collect thousands for a particular issue, such as the London Black Church building a school in Montserrat, groups contributing to home, such as the Manchester Somali group that collected £25,000 and built a school back home, the women funding a midwife in a war zone and the millions of pounds people send home; remittances that for many countries drive the economy.

Everyone knows about the terrible disaster caused by the Asian Tsunami, but we know that this follows floods in Bangladesh, hurricanes in the Caribbean and other crises during the last 12 months. Remember this is also the year in which the British Government acknowledged that Africa is poorer today than it was 25 years ago. For CfD the issue is, how does UK BME society express its perspective, how can we be involved in rebuilding our countries of origin, and how can we ensure that the British Government hears and has the opportunity to act upon our views and knowledge. CfD hopes that it can help people to be involved, to deliver projects and affect policy.

As part of that, with our partner MENTER, we shall soon be arranging a Conference in Cambridge, please come along, it is your world and your voice needs to be heard.

Jim Baker
Director Connections for Development

If you would like to receive an information leaflet about the CfD’s Network and/or a membership application form please contact CfD on:

E-mail: info@cfdnetwork.co.uk
Tel.: 020 537 7369
Website: www.cfdnetwork.co.uk

Back to top

Equality

www.equalbutdifferent.org.uk
Equal But Different is an interactive website developed and maintained by Norwich & Norfolk Racial Equality Council (NNREC). ‘Equal But Different’ aims to increase competencies and confidence in all the multiple equality strands: race, age, disability, gender, religion/belief and sexual orientation. This website, the first resource of its kind nationally, aims to highlight the excellent work being done in the East of England around the issues of community cohesion and diversity.

The website holds advice and information on community cohesions issues in your area as well as information about the diverse communities that make up the Eastern Region.

Back to top

Regional networks and voluntary sector infrastructure organisations

under construction

Back to top