Family Fun Day

Portsmouth Bengali Community Association has organised a Family Fun Day event to celebrate Bangladesh Victory Day.

23 December 2013, 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Portsmouth PO2 7BL

The event will include a variety of fun activities including: Music & dance, Henna Art, Face painting, Bouncy castle, Children's Art Competition, Women's Homemade Pita Competition, and many more.

Lunch will be provided!

ALL WELCOME

Please see the event poster.

Tel: 07984 685234

Email: portsmouthbengali.ca@gmail.com

Website: www.portsmouthbangalica.wix.com/pbca

Celebrating International Day of Disabled People

When: 3 December 2013, 1.30 pm

Venue: The Menuhin Room, Third Floor, Central Library, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2DX

December 3 each year marks International Day of Disabled People, a United Nations sanctioned day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of persons with disability and in celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disability.

This year we are running an event to celebrate International Day of Disabled People.

• Blue Apple productions will be performing their play called "Living without fear". Six actors from Blue Apple’s touring company, who themselves have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime, mate crime and harassment.

• Lauren Steadman, paralympian, will give an inspirational talk about her experiences of being paralympian swimmer.

• There will also be time to network and look at information stands from statutory organisations as well as local disability groups.

Tea and coffee will be available.

Because spaces are limited, please book your place at the event at: https://iddp-event.eventbrite.co.uk or contact the Equalities team on tel: 023 9283 4789 or email: equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

New carers group to be launched

A new fun creative group for carers, called 'Crafty Carers' will be launched: 

When: 2nd December 2013, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 
Where: Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Road, Portsmouth

There will be seasonal snacks and refreshments. 

Decoupage, Beading, Card Making, Simple & Easy, Short Break, Origami, Decorations, and more ... The group is open to all carers. 

Not crafty...? Haven't been to any groups...?
No problem, this group's definitely for you!! We welcome new Carers - come along, meet other Carers and enjoy making something. We're run by Carers, for Carers.

Please contact Dorothy for more information and book your place. 
Mobile no: 07981 251074.

Help shape our future strategy

We are working to refresh the Council's Equality & Diversity Strategy (2010-13) & Single Equality Scheme (SES) which expires at the end of this year. Over the next few weeks we are keen to hear from individuals and groups who have ideas regarding how we can improve on the current document.

We have prepared a short presentation explaining what we are trying to achieve and how we will do it. To see the progress on all our current equality priorities, take a look at our Single Equality Scheme Plan.

You can help us shape our strategy for years 2014-17 in the following ways:

1. Complete the online survey by clicking on the following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pccequalitystrategy (or ask us for a word version or paper copy).

2. Send us an email to equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or telephone 023 9268 8559.

3. Attend one of our drop-in sessions:

22 October 2013, 2-4pm, in Ground Floor Meeting Room 3, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

24 October 2013, 6-8pm, in Southsea Library, 19-21 Palmerston Road, Southsea, PO1 3QQ

30 October 2013, 10am - 12pm, in Cosham Community Centre, Wotton Street, Cosham, PO6 3AP

4. Let us know if you would like a group session for a particular community group or organisation.

This consultation is open until 31st October 2013.

We will publish the results of the consultation in December 2013 on our website: www.portsmouth.gov.uk (search for 'consultations').

Chrysalis Transgender Training Event

Friday 8^th November 6pm to 9pm

Venue: Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY

Do you have transgender clients, beneficiaries or staff? Want to learn more about support available to improve your services and / or of benefit to your clients? 

Chrysalis is a charity supporting people with gender identity issues. They are staging a learning event in Southampton to raise awareness of the service Chrysalis offers and to raise awareness of issues relating to gender reassignment.

By the end of the session you will have an appreciation of:

-      The main challenges and barriers faced by people with gender identity issues  

-      What support is available and how it can be accessed

There will be a roundtable question and answer session with representatives from Chrysalis and beneficiaries of Chrysalis.

Refreshments Provided

This is a FREE event, but prior booking is required. To book places please contact Chrysalis on 01489 589111 or email: office@chrysalis-gii.org. 

Conversations with Parents/Carers and General Disability Awareness Workshop

When: Monday 21st October 2013, 10.00am to 1.00pm

Venue: South Downs College, College Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 8AA.

Cost: £10 per person

This workshop is for mainstream and specialist recreation and leisure providers – including managers, volunteers, reception staff, tutors, instructors, rangers, coaches, librarians, assistants and more.

Workshop description:

Conversations with Parents/Carers and general awareness of disability. The course will include:

How to approach sensitive conversations with parents/carers of a disabled child.

How to get the information you require to meet the needs of the child.

How it feels to be the parent/carer of a disabled child trying to access activities.

Exploring the kinds of things you can do in your setting to improve access for disabled children and young people.

Learn about words and phrases which are respectful and those which are not.                           

Rachel Harrison will deliver the workshops in an interactive, relaxed and informal way.  Rachel is a Senior Lecturer at the University Of Winchester and has experience of working with people with ‘physical disabilities’, ‘learning difficulties’, ‘people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder’, and ‘people whose behaviour challenges the service’.                    

For more information about the workshop contact Rishi Ghosh, The Bridging Worker for Havant. Phone: 07881 340132, Email:  rishighosh@roseroad.org.uk

To book your place/s, complete the booking form available on www.hants.gov.uk/learning-development see the Workshops tab or you can contact us and we will email one out to you.

ThisAbility: Exploring historical attitudes to disability

Landport Film-Makers are working on the ThisAbility project; Comparing attitudes towards people with disabilities both now and in the 19^th century. Landport Film-Makers is a small community group with a track record of producing documentary films reflecting people & culture in Portsmouth.

All those with an interest in issues affecting people with various disabilities are welcome to attend a meeting / illustrated talk followed by discussion on

16^th October 2013, 1:00 - 3:30pm

In Portsmouth City Museum, Museum Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2LJ.

Light refreshments will be provided. 

For more information, contact: landportfilm-makers@hotmail.co.uk / Telephone: 023 9278 6184.

Cross-Cultural Men's Group starting in Portsmouth

Cross-cultural Men's Group has been launched in Portsmouth and will meet every Wednesday 2:00-4:00 pm at Oasis the Venue, 1a Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1NP.

• Meet other men from ethnic minority communities

• Get to know other cultures & share your experiences

•  Improve your IT skills

• Enjoy walking, sports, arts & crafts, and many other activities

• Learn about health and wellbeing

• No need to book, just drop in!

No need to book, just drop in!

For more information, contact Anita on 023 9275 5485 or email: cdw@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. 

Diaspora ChangeMakers

Diaspora ChangeMakers is a new project that seeks to identify and bring together the UK's most promising leaders of African heritage with a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa.

The project funded by Comic Relief and Unbound Philanthropy, will encompass a number of activities, among them leadership development courses to build the capacity of participants for making change, and the creation of a new Diaspora ChangeMakers Network to help them share ideas and work together on new projects.

The programme will run until early 2015.

Researchers working at the London-based charity called the RSA are calling for participants in this new exciting project. They are looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of communities in Africa or in the diaspora, and feel they would benefit from the networking and leadership development activities on offer in the project.

Even for those who are not in the core group of 100 Diaspora ChangeMakers undergoing the leadership development training, there are still other ways to get involved, including:

• Joining the ChangeMakers network to share ideas, contacts, and to collaborate on new projects with other ChangeMakers at all levels of development.

• Serving as a mentor or ambassador and supporting less experienced ChangeMakers.

Anyone who wishes to take part or who wants to nominate someone else, may do so by visiting the Diaspora ChangeMakers website.

The deadline for the first wave of applications is 15th September 2013. If you have any questions, please contact their team at: changemakers@rsa.org.uk.

Disabled young persons' group - 'Dynamite'

Are you aged between 11-25 years old?

Are you interested in changing how disabled services are designed for teenagers and young people in Portsmouth?

If you are, the Portsmouth Parent Voice would like to hear from you.

Get involved in shaping the "Local Offer", the Single Assessment, the Education, Health & Care Plan, Personal budgets, lobbying and campaigning on behalf of Portsmouth Disabled Young People.

For more information contact:

Mary Ive or Deirdre Smith

Tel: 07825 185608 (call or text)

Email: portsmouthparentvoice@hotmail.com

The Frank Sorrell Centre

Prince Albert Road

Southsea, PO4 9HR

Technical guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty

The Equality & Human Rights Commission has recently published a technical guidance on how public bodies, including local authorities, can comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) which was introduced in April 2011. Although this is not a statutory code of practice, it provides a formal authoritative, and comprehensive legal interpretation of the PSED. It complements the existing codes of practice and non-statutory guidance. It explains in detail what the General Equality Duty and the Specific Equality Duties require and provides useful examples of how the law can be turned into practice. The guide can be accessed via the Commission's website.

Guidance on how to comply with equalities in public procurement

'Buying better outcomes - mainstreaming equality considerations in procurement - A guide for public authorities in England' has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The guidance explains what approach public authorities may take in order to comply with their Public Sector Equality Duty (under the Equality Act 2010) obligations at different stages of the procurement cycle. It details equality issues that need to be considered at each stage.

The guide is aimed at commissioners, procurement officers, contract managers and people involved in the procurement process.

To view the guidance, visit the Commission's website.

Technical Guidance on Further and Higher Education

The guidance sets out Equality Act 2010 requirements on further and higher education providers in relation to provision of education and access to benefits, facilities or services. These cover all of the services, facilities and benefits, both educational and non-educational that an education provider provides or offers to provide for students. It provides an authoritative, comprehensive and technical guide to the detail of the law. It will be invaluable to education providers, lawyers, advocates, human resources personnel, courts and tribunals, and everyone who needs to understand the law in depth, or apply it in practice.

To access the guidance, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission's website.

Equal marriage for same-sex couples

The Government has demonstrated its commitment to permitting same-sex couples to marry by publishing the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. The Bill will give same-sex couples the right to marry in civil ceremonies whilst permitting religious organisations to opt out, if they so wish, from conducting marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. To read the Bill, please visit the Parliament website.

Religion or Belief in the workplace: a guide for employers

Equality & Human Rights Commission has published a guide which employers will find useful in dealing with the expression of religion or belief at work whilst preventing any conflict and legal challenges by employees. The guide will also be helpful to employees in terms of what their rights are to express their religion or belief at work and what assistance they can reasonably expect of their employers in this regard. The guidance follows recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights which confirm that persons who want to undertake a certain practice sufficiently connected with their religion or belief will be protected under European Convention of Human Rights regardless of whether it is a mandatory requirement of their religion. To read the guidance, please visit the Commission's website.

Assistance dogs - a guide for all businesses

Short guidance has been produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to assist businesses in dealing with Assistance dogs on their premises. The guide explains their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and what they can do to enable disabled owners accompanied by their assistance dog to use their service.

All Service Providers from Restaurants to Taxi operators are encouraged to read the new guide, which is available on the Commission's website.

Viewed With Suspicion: The Human Cost of Stop And Search

Stop Watch has published a new report, portrait series and film looking at some of the personal stories behind experiences of Stop And Search powers used by the police in the UK. They reveal, among other things, that Black and Asian people are stopped at much higher rates than White individuals meaning that there is a disproportionate treatment of these communities by the police. This in turn leads to mistrust of the police and creates negative relations between Black and Asian communities and the police.

For more information, please visit the Stop Watch website.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a programme of work to help police improve use of stop and search. This work has already seen reductions of up to 50% in overall usage and a fall in disproportionate usage against ethnic minorities in some of the major police forces that Commission has been working with. For more information, visit the Commission's website.

Guidance on human rights for commissioners of home care

The guide is aimed at Local Authority elected members and staff who are involved in commissioning and procurement of home care as well as others who have an interest in home care such as care providers, regulators, service users, their friends and families. The guidance helps Local Authority staff to acquire better understanding of their obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998.

It has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in response to its earlier inquiry into older people and human rights in home care. An understanding and practical application of human rights are important as "they underpin and add value to a range of legal duties and policy initiatives which are at the heart of local authority business, including non-discrimination, safeguarding and personalisation.

The guide is available on the Commission's website.

Assessing current and future housing and support options for older LGB people

This study looks at the how the choice of housing and support for older lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people is perceived, and how it could support LGB individuals to have a better life. It looks at the potential of personalisation in improving choice and control, and the importance of LGB people feeling safe to share their identity and life history, particularly for dementia. It found that:

• The present choice of mainstream housing and support for older LGB people is currently experienced as inadequate or perceived as unsafe.
• Older LGB people should be involved with local strategic planning and able to choose from safe ‘mixed’ mainstream and specialist LGB community options;
• LGB communities have a tradition of mutual self-help, supportive friendship networks and 'chosen families' which need to be understood and nurtured for older LGB people;
• Younger LGB people prioritise maintaining independence and combating social isolation in older age; and
• International innovations show how formal, larger housing and support initiatives for older LGB people can grow from and nurture community support and friendship networks.

To access the full report, please visit the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.

EU LGBT Survey results

Results of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) survey, the EU's largest LGBT hate crime and discrimination survey ever conducted, have been published.

Respondents were asked about their experiences of discrimination, violence and harassment at work, in education, healthcare, social services and in public places such as cafes and restaurants, banks and shops. The questions drew on rights protected under EU law and other international standards.

The questionnaire also asked respondents about key elements of their daily lives, including their assessment of the public attitudes towards LGBT people, the visibility of LGBT people in public life and negative reactions from the general public. Transgender people were also asked specific questions on access to transgender specific healthcare and their experiences in changing the gender marker in official documents.

The findings show that many LGBT people cannot be themselves in their daily lives. Many hide their identity and live in isolation or even fear. Others experience discrimination and even violence.

To view the full results, visit the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Chatterbox - Local LGBT Social Group

A local social group for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people, Chatterbox, originally set up in Gosport and Fareham, now also meets in Portsmouth. It is aimed at people aged 45+, but anyone 25+ is also welcome to join. The group organises a variety of social events such as going to theatre and films, darts and bowling, walks in the countryside and coffee mornings. The aim of the group is to offer social outings in comfortable and supportive environment and build confidence in persons who may be socially introverted.

If you would like to join, or know anyone who would, Chatterbox group can be contacted via the following media:

Telephone / Text: 07847220794

Email: chatterboxLGBTgroup@virginmedia.com    

Address: "Chatterbox", PO Box 4

Gosport Voluntary Action, Martin Snape House, 96 Pavilion Way, Gosport, PO12 1FG

Website: http://www.chatterboxlgbtgroup.co.uk/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chatterboxLGBTgroup

Guidance for small and medium size businesses

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published easy to understand guidance for businesses on how to avoid discrimination and ensure respect for human rights. The aim of the guide is to help smaller businesses acquire understanding of anti-discrimination provisions under the Equality Act 2010 and the human rights law, and gain practical knowledge of how to manage important business challenges and dilemmas.

The guide is available on the Commission's website.

Funding for LGB&T organisations

Do you run a voluntary or community organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) persons and you struggle to source adequate funding?

The Consortium of LGB&T Voluntary and Community Organisations have developed a LGB&T funder finder, which you can use to search for current non-statutory funding opportunities and funders which have a history of funding LGB&T services.

For more information visit the Consortium's website at: http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/funderfinder.

Fulfilling potential of disabled people

The Government has published a detailed analytical study with an aim of raising public understanding of disability and the issues faced by disabled people. The study provides information about the number of disabled people in Great Britain, some interesting facts about their contribution to our economy and society, how disability can develop and change over the course of life and what issues disabled people face in their lives. To access the report, please visit the Office for Disability Issues website.

Trans Mental Health Study 2012

A study has been undertaken into trans people's mental health needs and experiences, and how the transitioning process (whether social or medical) has an impact on mental health and wellbeing. It investigates the factors which influence trans mental health and wellbeing. The study is useful for public bodies and other service providers which want to deepen their understanding of the mental health needs of trans people and improve services for trans people with mental health problems. The full study can be accessed via the Scottish Transgender Alliance website. 

Racist, religious and disability hate crime - school project

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), as part of its Schools Project, has designed a set of resources that can be used by teachers to explore the issues of Disability as well as Racist and Religious Hate Crime.

The Disability Hate Crime pack includes planned lesson(s) for pupils in Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 4 to help them understand the impact of disability hate crime on victims and offenders and the legal and moral issues connected with the this type of crime.

The Racist and Religious Hate Crime pack assists teachers in teaching pupils in key stages 2, 3 and 4 about the impacts of behaviours based on racial and religious prejudice on the victims and the perpetrators as well as the legal and moral implications of Racist and Religious Hate Crime. 

The resources on Disability Hate Crime and Racist and Religious Hate Crime are available on the CPS website.

Safety and disability - your views

If you are a disabled person or a carer of a disabled person, we'd like to know your views on crime and anti-social behaviour in your area.

We'd like to ask a few questions about your experiences. It will only take a few minutes of your time and we'd really value your views.

All answers will be anonymous. The information will be used by the Safer Portsmouth Partnership, which includes the council, to shape and improve services. Please email equalities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9283 4789.

Workplace solutions for disabled people and business

The Equality & Human Rights Commission has published 'The perfect partnership - workplace solutions for disabled people and business' as part of the 'Working Better' series. The report looks at how disabled people can be supported with their ambitions and career development. It offers some sound, simple and low cost solutions for employers to open up work more effectively to disabled people and how to make the most of the abilities and potential of disabled employees. The report is available on the Commission's website.

Home care and human rights

The Equality & Human Rights Commission has launched a guide for older people, their families and friends, 'Your home care and human rights', which deals with reasonable expectations that older people can have about the home care they receive, their legal rights when using home care and what action older people, their families and friends can take if they are not satisfied with the home care they or their loved ones are provided with. The aim of the guide to raise awareness amongst older people of their entitlement to home care service which respects their human rights and what they can do to ensure those rights are not violated. The report is available on the Commission's website.

Public sector equality duty guidance for Schools in England

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has released a guidance specific to schools in England on how to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). The guidance explains what the PSED means for schools, how it helps schools address issues and improve teaching and learning.

The guidance can be accessed via the Commission's website.

The higher education guide for disabled people

'Into higher education 2013 - the higher education guide for disabled people' has been published by Disability Rights UK to help disabled students make decisions about the accessibility of the college of university, suitable courses and what support they might expect. The guide also provides information on the new student finance system, tuition fees, repayment methods, and the support that will be available for 2013 entry. To view the guide, please visit the Disability Right UK website.

How equality law protects students in further or higher education

The guidance titled 'What equality law means for you as a student in further or higher education' has been developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

It sets out what rights students in further or higher education have under the equality law and what action students can take if they have experienced discrimination, harassment of victimisation.

The guidance is available on the Commission's website.

FREE* ESOL classes at Highbury College

Highbury College is running free English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes for Entry 2/3/ Level 1 students who want to boost their English language skills.

11th February – 15th March 2013

15th April – 17th May 2013

Five weeks

Every Monday to Wednesday & Friday at 12.30 – 2.30pm

Please come into Highbury College, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2DH.Telephone to 02392 728242 (Yvonne Lee) & ask for ESOL FREE CLASSES before the class and they will sign you up.

*£40 Refundable deposit on attendance over 80%