Blck History Month

Portsmouth mobile library

Portsmouth Library Service will be introducing a new mobile library with books and talking books for all ages and interests and a public access computer.
All are welcome. Bring your existing library card or join for the first time.
This service will replace the Hampshire Library Mobile in Drayton, Farlington and Anchorage Park which will cease deliveries from the end of August 2014.
The new Portsmouth Mobile will begin services in September.

 A dedicated Mobile Library for the city will allow us to spend more time at each stop and support residents in more communities.
The mobile library service visits:

• Cosham Drayton, Aldsworth Close: every Friday, 12.15-1.15pm
• Farlington, Old Rectory Road: every Friday, 2.15-3.45pm
• Portsmouth, Anchorage Park Community Centre Car Park: alternate Fridays from 13 September, 4-6pm

For more details of the mobile library service, phone 0845 6035 631

Football coach bursary for Black, Asian Minority ethnic (BAME) communities

The COACH bursary programme has been designed by the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Football Association (PFA) and the League Managers Association:

http://www.thefa.com/news/my-football/coaches/2014/jun/coach-bursary-reopens-020614

Hate Crime Newsletter

Portsmouth City Council's Hate Crime Team have released 2nd edition of their newsletter May 2014. 

The newsletter provides useful information on:

• The role of the PCC Hate Crime Team and how they support victims of hate crime
• Available training workshops on hate crime awareness and preventing violent extremism.

For more information and to request paper copies, please contact Charlie Pericleous, Senior Hate Crime Caseworker, on 023 9268 8357 or email charlie.pericleous@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.  

Chatterbox LGBT Newsletter

Chatterbox LGBT is a social group for mature Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender people meeting in Gosport, Fareham and Portsmouth areas. 

Chatterbox LGBT has published its 2nd newsletter for June 2014, where you can find out more about the group and a variety of activities and events organised by its members, including reading, craft making, IT classes, coffee afternoons and many more. 

For more information, click on the Chatterbox LGBT Newsletter. To keep updated on the upcoming events, visit the Chattterbox website. 

Avoiding discrimination while preventing illegal working

The Government has published its statutory Code of practice for employers on avoiding unlawful discrimination while preventing illegal working. The Code of practice provides practical guidance on how to avoid illegal discrimination when carrying out right to work checks on employees. 

Although the statutory Code does not of itself impose any legal obligations on employers, an employment tribunal may take the Code into account when determining whether there was discrimination when an employer carried out prevention of illegal working checks. 

The key point in the Code is that employers should have in place and follow clear recruitment practices which treat all applicants fairly and in the same way at each stage of the recruitment process. It states that provided that all applicants are asked, the employer can ask for appropriate documentation to carry out its checks.

The Code is available on the Government website. 

'The Voice of Diversity' - new local blog

A new blog called 'The Voice of Diversity' has been developed to support integration and community building in Portsmouth by sharing:

• stories of migrant communities living in Portsmouth through the use of pictures, videos and audio interviews
• news and events from the local Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) and migrant community
• views and opinions on local and national issues 
• resources for local communities and community groups, including tutorials and two community directories of minority ethnic groups and services and networking

The blog will be relevant to the migrant communities and local organisations alike. It can be found at: http://portsmouthgateway.wordpress.com. 

Please share the link with contacts, family and friends as the blog will be regularly updated with stories, resources and events. 

GP Surgery's Older Persons Groups in Portsmouth

The Independence and Wellbeing Team at Portsmouth City Council have been funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to develop eleven social activity groups for older people who are, or at risk of becoming socially isolated and/or lonely. 

These groups will be set up close to, or within walking distance of GP surgeries where there are currently limited or no social opportunities available for older people. 

This project is in response to both national and local evidence that significant numbers of people are presenting at GP surgeries, not because they are unwell but because they are lonely.

Attendance at the groups will be an opportunity for individuals to increase their social networks, support their own independence and reduce visits to surgeries. The groups will also provide an ideal opportunity for cascading important health and social care messages.

The first three of the eleven groups have been developed in the Southsea area where a gap for social opportunities has been identified. These commenced on 22nd April at St Jude's Church, Kent Road, Church of the Holy Spirit, Fawcett Road & Trinity Methodist Church, Albert Road.

The next two groups will be developed in the city area and Copnor area from July.

The location of the remaining six groups has yet to be decided.

For further information please contact -

Julie Roberts - Community Development Officer - 023 92 688705; 

Email: julie.roberts@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 

Mavis Ames - Team Manager - 023 92 688212; 

Email: mavis.ames@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Spirituality & Well-being Partnership

The Spirituality & Well-being Partnership (previously known as 'hope faith and love') would like to invite members from different faith groups to join them. The group is made up of representatives from different faith groups and staff from Solent NHS Mental Health Services.

The aim is 'to enable Faith and community groups to work in partnership with health services to support mental health & spiritual well-being for the people of Portsmouth'.

The group organises events, as well as mental health training for community groups and is looking at setting up support groups. The steering group usually meets once a month at St. James' hospital.

For more information please contact Community Development Workers Team on 023 9268 3442. 

Women's only / BME fitness group

Fratton Community Centre are looking to set up a women's only group / BME (Black, Minority and Ethnic) fitness group within their gym. They would like to make a session where the group would have a sole use of the fitness room and be able to use the equipment at their own pace.

Treadmills, bikes, rowers, cross-trainer, resistance equipment, mats, step boxes and free weight toning are available. A female instructor can be provided for the initial induction.

It would be a pay as you go session costing £1.50 per hour or a course of 10 sessions for £10 per person. 

A time and day to be confirmed with the group members. 

If you are interested, or know of any individuals or groups that would benefit from those sessions, please contact David Sharkey, Fitness Manager, Fratton Community Centre on 023 92 751441 or email frattoncc@yahoo.co.uk (Website: http://www.frattoncc.org.uk/).

Autism Basic Awareness Training

Autism Support and Advice has planned a day to discuss and learn about the basic issues of autism to enable you to work with, meet the needs of, and understand how to communicate with individuals who have high functioning autism. 

When: Wednesday 30th  April 2014, 10am - 4pm
Where: Portsmouth City Museum, Museum Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2LJ

It is a day when parents, carers, those who have high functioning autism and professionals can come together to share their experiences, good and bad!

Places are limited. Email pirates_are_cooler_than_ninjas@hotmail.co.uk or call 07954404184 to request a booking form. 

Autism Event 2014

Autism Hampshire and Portsmouth City Council are pleased to be working together to run the 2014 Autism Conference. The event will introduce new Diagnostic and Support Services available to Portsmouth residents. 

When: Wednesday 21st May 2014, 9:15am - 4:00pm
Where: The Victory Suite, Fratton Park, Portsmouth PO4 8RF

Speakers:
Carole Povey, Director of Research from National Autistic Society
Dr. Judith Gould, Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist 
talking about recent developments in diagnosis of Autism.

Join the event in the morning for presentations from leading professionals in the field and information about the refreshed autism strategy.

In the afternoon, there will be workshops on diagnostic complexities in adults, support, employment, children, making reasonable adjustments and more.

There will also be short café style sessions to cover a variety of popular topics. 

Feel free to attend the whole day or individual sessions. 

To register your interest, please contact hannah.godfrey@autismhampshire.org.uk or call 014 8988 0881 [ext. 204].

More details about the event can be found at www.autismhampshire.org.uk. 

New craft groups for LGBT people

Chatterbox LGBT is a social networking and activity group for mature people (over 25) from the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. 

The group is starting new craft groups in Fareham and Portsmouth. The first meetings will include a tutor to demonstrate crochet or knitting for beginners.

Previous meetings of the craft group have been focused on our community project to create a Pride Banner, and have been based in Gosport.

When: Saturday 26th April 2014, 11am - 2pm

Where: Spithead Resource Centre, Montgomerie Road, Southsea PO5 1EB

When: Thursday 8th May 2014, 2pm -4pm

Where: Community Action Fareham, 163 West Street, Fareham PO16 0EF

For a full list of events, visit the Chatterbox website at: http://www.chatterboxlgbt.org.uk/currentevents.html. 

For more information, contact maureen@chatterboxlgbt.org.uk or call 07910 403337.

The Citizens' Panel

Have you got something to say? 

Join our Citizens' Panel and be be part of the conversation. 

If you join the panel, we'll take your details and contact you at least four times a year to ask your views. There will also be other opportunities to take part throughout the year. 

Information provided by the Citizens' Panel will help the council to shape services that are right for our residents, and will inform decision-making.

We will make sure you get feedback on how the views of the panel have been used. 

You can take part online or by completing paper surveys.

If you decide you want to stop, all you need to do is let us know. 

For more information, search 'citizens' panel' at www.portsmouth.gov.uk, email marketresearch@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9243 7996. 

Male carers support group

A new male carers support group was launched on 25th March 2014.

The group will be meeting on 

Tuesday evenings 6pm - 7pm 
at the Hillside & Wymering Community Centre, Cheltenham Road, Portsmouth.

For more details, please call Rod on 023 9288 2550.

Disability Living Allowance & Personal Independent Payment - FREE information workshop

Portsmouth Parent Voice and Contact a Family are offering parent carers a FREE information workshop on Disability Living Allowance & Personal Independence Payment.

When: 13th May 2014

Where: The Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road, Southsea, PO4 9HR 

The workshop will cover:

• The process
• Eligibility 
• Rates of Care and Mobility Components
• Tips for completing the form
• Where to go for support, information and advice. 

Refreshments will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch. 

To book your place, please call 07825 185608 or email: portsmouthparentvoice@hotmail.com by Monday 5th May 2014.

Take a break at Café Escape - Portsmouth's Carers Café

It can be difficult for carers and those who look after someone to get the support they need during normal working hours because of their role or commitments. That's why Portsmouth City Council is opening a new café for carers on Saturday 26th April 2014 at the Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Road, Southsea, PO4 0AD. 

Café Escape will be open on Saturdays, initially from 10am until 2pm so why not pop in for a coffee. The café will provide a welcome retreat for carers, somewhere they can relax, chat with other carers and get the support and advice they need. 

For more information, please contact the Carers Centre on 023 9285 1864. 

Cross Cultural Women's Group - new programme of activities

Women from ethnic minority communities are invited to join the Cross Cultural Women's Group, which meets every Wednesday, 12pm - 2.30pm, at the Friendship Centre, Elm Grove, Southsea PO5 1JT.

There is no need to book, just drop in to:

• meet other women 
• enjoy arts and crafts
• talk about your day
• share experiences
• learn about health and well-being.

The new programme of activities for April - June 2014 has been published.

For more information, please contact Shipa on 023 9268 3442 or Lola on 0795 891 3473.

'One World - Diverse Communities'

A FREE event featuring speakers from the Caribbean, Gypsy & Traveller, Indian and Polish communities who live locally. 

When: Friday 28th March 2014, 10am - 12pm
Where: Hollybank Room, Havant Civic Plaza

Come along and learn more about these cultures and experiences of living and working in the UK. The event is particularly relevant for service providers in the statutory and voluntary sector and will provide ideas about how to better engage with these communities. 

To book your place, please contact Tony McCarthy by email tony.mccarthy@hants.gov.uk or telephone 07515 084052. 

Social Care Opportunity Exhibition for the BME community

Do you want to find out about social care services?
Are you interested in career paths and opportunities working and volunteering in social care?
If so, drop in to the Social Care Opportunity Exhibition FREE EVENT

When: Thursday 20th March, 11:30am - 2:30pm (Drop-in)
Where: Oasis Centre in Arundel Street, Portsmouth (see the map)

FREE BUFFET LUNCH, QUIZ and CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES / CRECHE PROVIDED

Lots of information from the public, private & voluntary sector.

If you have any questions, please contact Uta Schmidtblaicher on 023 9268 8390.

Organised by the Gateway Project and PCC Social Care.

Intercultural competence and working with diverse ethnic communities - FREE training course

The Independence and Wellbeing Team at Portsmouth City Council will deliver a FREE one full day course on Intercultural competence and working with diverse ethnic communities.

When: Tuesday 13th May 2014, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Where: Ground Floor Meeting Room 5, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AL 

The course will give a complete overview of different cultures and beliefs in Portsmouth, which will contribute to your increased cultural self-awareness and intercultural competence. It will also help understand barriers that migrants face when accessing services and how they can be overcome. 

This session is aimed at professionals, volunteers and community leaders. 

To book a place on the course, please call 023 9284 1762 or email: IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. 
Bookings for PCC staff are via MLE. 

Remembering survivors of the Polish November Uprising

180 years ago the first wave of Polish migrants reached the safe shore of Portsmouth. 212 Polish Soldiers, survivors of the Polish November Uprising against Tsarist Russian rule, found their safety here in the British naval port.

Kindly received by the people of Portsmouth they became a part of the local community, found work, married and raised families.

In 2004 a memorial to those Polish Soldiers was completed and is located at Kingston Cemetery, St. Mary's Road, Portsmouth PO1 5PQ.

Otton Hulacki, Polish Veteran of WWII and SOS Polonia Trust would like to invite you to join them this Sunday 23 February 2014 at 2pm in the Chapel by the Polish Memorial to remember those, who fought for the freedom we enjoy today.

For more information about the Polish November Uprising and the first wave of Polish migration to Portsmouth, please visit http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/cemeteries/polish.htm.   

For more information about the event, please contact:

Otton Hulacki, Polish Veteran of WWII, now the Chairman of the Polish Memorial Fund, Portsmouth - tel: 01983 883340

SOS Polonia Trust, EU Migrant Centre, Portsmouth / Southampton / IoW

www.sospolonia.net / Tel: 07803591680 e:mail barbara.storey@lingland.net. 

Wheels for All

The Wheels for All initiative is a nationally recognised programme that embraces children and adults with disabilities and differing needs, to engage in a quality cycling activity.

By using specially adapted cycles, the activities are both physically and mentally stimulating and above all fun for everyone involved!  Please see the Wheels for All Flyer.

To keep the programme running long term, volunteers are needed. 'Instructor Training Programme', a 1 day course, is provided to our volunteers and leads to Wheels for All Leader certificate accredited with Open Awards. The next training course will take place on 5 March 2014.

If you would like more information about the initiative and / or the volunteering opportunity, please email asha.lal@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9284 1560.

Equality & Diversity Strategy 2014-17

The Equality& Diversity Strategy for years 2014-17 was launched by the Council on 3 December 2013. The refreshed strategy is simpler and easier to navigate, and clearly sets out the Council's commitment to making Portsmouth a fairer and more inclusive city and how this will be achieved. 

The Strategy includes a data set presenting a picture of Portsmouth diversity and needs of different segments of our community. 

The refreshed Strategy is accompanied by the Equality& Diversity Action Plan, which sets out a number of goals that are to be achieved by individual services across the council, or services working together, in order to address the gaps in the council’s approach to equality and diversity as identified by the Strategy. 

Take the lead - A guide to welcoming customers with assistance dogs

VisitEngland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have produced a new guide for tourism businesses on welcoming customers with assistance dogs. Take the lead highlights the important role performed by assistance dogs, it outlines the legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, and how tourism businesses can boost business by attracting more visits from disabled travellers and their canine companions.

"As service providers to the public, tourism businesses have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled people, including assistance dog users, to use their services.

It would be unlawful to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog except in the most exceptional circumstances." The Guide says.

For a full version of the Guide, please visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.

How to ask and respond to questions of discrimination in the provision of goods and services and public functions

Practical advice has been prepared for customers who think they have been discriminated against on how to ask for more information about what happened; and for the service providers or retailer on how they should respond to their questions.

This can help clear up a misunderstanding, help resolve concerns and avoid claims and disputes.

This guidance replaces existing statutory guidance on obtaining information.

For more information, please visit the Government website.

Cash grants available for disabled people to stand for election

The Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund will be extended to help cover the 2015 General Elections.

Launched in July 2012, the fund helps disabled people with additional costs that a disabled candidate may face in standing for election as a councillor or MP, such as extra transport or sign-language interpreters. Since the scheme launched there have been over 60 applications to the fund, which will now also cover Parish and Town Council elections.

A collection of personal stories by disabled people in political have also been published. They describe the experiences and obstacles faced by people with a range of disabilities, who have been successful in being elected as Members of Parliament or as Local Authority Councillors.
For more information visit the Government website.

Dynamite - Launch Party

Dynamite, a group for disabled young people is having a launch party, an Information Fair and Future Opportunities Event for all disabled young people aged between 11 to 25 years old.

When: Wednesday, 19th February 2014, 10am - 2pm

Where: Action Stations, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

(http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/actionstations/)

This is a TICKET event, which will give you FREE access to all the facilities including Lazer Quest & the Helicopter Flight Simulator.

Food and drinks can be purchased from the café. 

To book your place, please email: dynamiteproject@hotmail.co.uk 

or telephone: 07825 185608.

This event is supported by: Portsmouth Youth Parliament, Portsmouth Disability Forum, Portsmouth Parent Voice and Portsmouth Children's Trust.