Diversity and Equality Alliance in Renfrewshire

Diversity and Equality Alliance in Renfrewshire

Minute of the meeting

on Thursday12th October 2017 at 10am

Room D137/D139, UWS, Paisley Campus

Present:

• Ann Drennan, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP),
• Jay Jay, Renfrewshire Effort to Empower Ethnic Minorities (REEM),
• Dr. Mohammed Ishaq, University of West of Scotland,
• Sofija Tkacenko, Renfrewshire Council,
• Bernadette Reilly, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP),
• Carol Roxburgh, Soroptimist International, Paisley,
• Naira Dar, University of West of Scotland,
• Johannes Gonani ( WSREC),
• Kirsty Murray, Police Scotland,
• Louise Moore, Renfrewshire Council,
• Ezra Wilson, TransForm Renfrewshire,
• Evi Viza, University of West of Scotland,
• Peter Gill, Renfrewshire Interfaith Group,
• Ilona Adamczyk, Polish Association (RenPA),
• Agnieszka Mitek, Polish Association (RenPA),
• Jean Urquhart, Renfrewshire Interfaith Group.

1. Welcome & Introductions

Dr. Mohammed Ishaq welcomed all attendees to the meeting.Sofija facilitated an ice-breaker session.

1. Apologies:

• Apologies were received from Mags Gibson, Renfrewshire Rising, Karen McCrystal, Police Scotland,Douglas Yates (Renfrewshire Interfaith Group), Martin White (Safer Communities/Renfrewshire Council), Laura Stockwell (Macmillan Cancer Support), Rebecca Johnston (Renfrewshire Rising), Yvonne Farquhar (Paisley 2021), Steven Thompson (Paisley 2021), Roisin Robertson ( Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership), Irene Macneil, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).Stuart Graham, Renfrewshire Council.

1. Minute of the last meeting

Minute of the last meeting was approved.

1. Renfrewshire BME Research – Dr. Mohammed Ishaq

Dr. Mohammed Ishaq delivered a presentation on findings about BME communities in Renfrewshire called “Ethnic Minority Voices: Perceptions of Life in Renfrewshire, Community Engagement and Service Provision”. The qualitative research aimed to capture views and opinions of BME groups about residing in Renfrewshire, capture their needs & identify challenges which they are facing.

This research adopted qualitative approach. 24 residents from BME communities participated in the focus group discussions.

Overall, respondents from all groups rated Renfrewshire positively as a place to live, however they identified that lack of bin provision, dog-fouling, anti-social behaviour, poor road maintenance, drug and alcohol abuse and the language barrier as key concerns.

Action: Sofija to circulate The Ethnic Minority Voices research within the DEAR group.

1. TransForm Renfrewshire – Ezra Wilson

Ezra from TransForm Renfrewshire delivered a presentation about their organisation, which aims to represent and support Transgender people (including Non-Binary people) in Renfrewshire. TransForm Renfrewshire was founded in August 2017 and is led by a board of 4 volunteers and chaired by Ezra Wilson.

TransForm Renfrewshire provide the following services:

•Legal Support

•Volunteering/Work Support

•Policy and Advocacy

•Support Network

•Info Share/Hub

•Clothes Swap

•Skills Share & Workshops

•Education

•Social Aspect

To find out more about TransForm Renfrewshire please contact them by email f visit their Fcaebook page

Action:Sofija to circulate Ezra’s presentation within the DEAR group.

1. Engineering Public Engagement – Dr. Evi Viza

Engineering Public Engagement – Dr. Evi Viza Dr. Evi Viza from school of engineering and computing delivered a presentation on the importance of public engagement with research within Engineering area as well as every other academic area. Public engagement is important impact activity and has many benefits. Evi emphasized there is funding available for community workshops/ projects to engage with public on a specific research, particularly within diversity agenda. For more information please contact Dr. Evi Viza on email or phone 0141 848 3177.

Action:Sofija to circulate Evi’s presentation within the DEAR group.

1. DEAR Group review workshop results – Sofija Tkacenko

Sofija presented results from the last DEAR group workshop. The workshop aimed to review current arrangements, action plan, role and remit etc. During the workshop members were asked to share their views regarding current members, what issues should the group focus on, what support they need from public services, what contribution they can bring & who they would like to influence as well as how.

Action:Sofija to circulate workshop results within the DEAR group.

1. AOCB

DEAR Group Directory

Members suggested developing DEAR group directory which will outline each members name, organisation, role and remit and potential future projects they would be interested in working on with other member. All members agreed to provide the information to Sofija for collation.

Action: Members to provide the information required for DEAR group directory and email it to Sofija for collation.

1. Agreement on the Actions

The following actions have been agreed:

Agenda item / Action / Resp. Officer
4 / Renfrewshire BME Research
Sofija to circulate The Ethnic Minority Voices research within the DEAR group. / ST
5 / TransForm Renfrewshire
Sofija to circulate Ezra’s presentation within the DEAR group. / ST
6 / Engineering Public Engagement
Sofija to circulate Evi’s presentation within the DEAR group. / ST
7 / DEAR Group review workshop results
Sofija to circulate workshop results within the DEAR group. / ST
8 / DEAR Group Directory
Members to provide the information required for DEAR group directory and email it to Sofija for collation. / All

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