What's new

BME voices invited to bond together for better outcomes

National BME organisation Voice4Change England has produced a new leaflet to publicise the progress it has made over the past year in raising the voice of the BME Third Sector groups to policy-makers at all levels.

Intended to raise awareness of Voice4Change England's work amongst BME Third Sector groups, the leaflet provides details of how individuals and organisations can participate in V4CE's on-going work in responding to Government consultations by attending the planned regional policy roadshow and national events.

The leaflet provides details of how V4CE has put itself on the Third Sector map over the past year in producing nine policy responses to Government and holding three regional policy roadshows.

V4CE Partnership Council Chair Caryl Agard said: "What has impressed me is the welcome V4CE has received from individuals and organisations across the Third Sector, government and funders. That is a sign that the V4CE is widely supported in its vital work. It is important that we turn that goodwill into better outcomes for BME communities. Window-dressing is no longer an option."

Jeremy Crook OBE, Director of the Black Training & Enterprise Group said: "The past year has been a significant development for the BME Third Sector with the arrival of V4CE. The Partnership has given hope that a united BME third sector can have an influence with Government and other funders."

Ila Chandavarkar, chief officer at the East of England regional BME network MENTER, said: "V4CE has already shown how it can be an effective and helpful resource for BME regional networks in providing a unified way for regional networks to influence the national agenda. It has coordinated information and good practice sharing, held consultation and regional roadshows to unite the voice of BME led organisations across England, and produced policy briefings, commissioned necessary research. V4CE's national voice complements the regional perspective, and the two combined advocate a better deal for BME Third Sector organisations."

The leaflet is a four page A6 postcard size and will be distributed amongst the V4CE Partnership's national and regional BME-led organisations to reach over 5,700 service providers. It will also be targeted at organisations working in BME communities. Any organisations wanting a copy of the leaflet should contact Martin Ball on 020-7843 6131 or martin@voice4change-england.co.uk