Agencies, partners and member of the community from across the city of Wolverhampton and further afield, were invited to attend the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) Tackling Hate Crime Together conference on 11^th November 2011.

Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by bias against a particular social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, social status or political affiliation.

The conference, organised by Kim Payne, on behalf of the EDF, said it was of particular importance.  “We needed to raise awareness about hate crime, and imparticular to encourage anyone who has experienced any form of hate crime to report it and access support.  We hoped the day would engage some harder to reach community groups, and reinforce the condemnation of extremism and terrorism.” Councillor Claire Darke opened the conference, followed by a moving performance from Zip Theatre, which demonstrated the realities of experiencing and living with hate crime.  Speakers at the event were some of those who work locally and regionally with hate crime, to include Rewind, Stop Hate UK and Victim Support.The event brought together representatives from West Midlands Police, Wolverhampton Homes, Wolverhampton Safer Partnership, and Wolverhampton City Councils Equalities Champion who all signed up to the One City, Many People – Working Together to Stop Hate Crime pledge, which is the basis for the launch of a multi agency hate crime booklet.  The pledge will be used as the opening statement in the booklet, demonstrating how partners are working together in the city to tackle hate crime.  Talking about the conference, Councillor Darke said, “This was a vibrant and stimulating event.  It drew the many different groups and diverse organisations of Wolverhampton together, recognising Hate Crime as a real crime and not to be tolerated. The conference is the start - there is lots of work to be done. Working together we can beat hate crime.”For more information about the EDF, or the conference, please contact Kim Payne at Network Consortium on 01902 572056, or email kpayne@w-n-c.org.

20 Pathways 2 Enterprise (P2E) clients have recently received expert support and advice from Mark Gibbs, local businessman and entrepreneur who has been self employed for over 20 years.  He ran his own award winning plastics business from 1988, but when the company liquidated in 2006 at the height of the credit crunch, he then had to work his way up again from the bottom of the business ladder – pursuing various ventures to make a living.  Mark now owns Climate Care Global limited, together with partner Mark Eyres, and was able to talk to clients about the highs and lows of starting and running a business.

Through a series of seminars, Mark gave clients his personal top tips for business start up and was clear on  how to build a successful business.  He said, “the most important part of running a business is you because you are your own business.  When you have an idea that you think is brilliant, it’s about having courage, not confidence, to take a leap of faith and make it happen.”Mark said, “I have particularly enjoyed talking to the P2E clients because I have been where they are.  I would attend any workshops or seminars which would help me.  I didn’t always agree with some of the things I was told, but I would always learn something new to help me move forward.  Hopefully my seminars will have supported and motivated P2E clients.”Clients attending the seminars have found Mark’s advice invaluable.  One client in particular said “Mark’s experience has shown me that it is possible to set up a business and make it a success”, while another said “Mark has inspired me.  His expert advice has really built upon the support I have been receiving from my Enterprise Coach.  I am going to make it work!”

Claire Peake, P2E Enterprise Coach said “It was an enriching experience to hear from someone who has been on such a rollercoaster ride in business.  It was a true inspiration to anyone thinking of setting up in business or who has encountered setbacks in their business to never give up.

“It helped our clients who are exploring the idea of starting a business by opening their eyes even more to the journey they may be facing, including its ups and downs.  These seminars enhance our work as Enterprise Coaches by bringing real experiences to our clients, and for them to hear different perspectives on varied aspects of business from the entrepreneurs.”

The P2E project supports people across the Black Country with self employment ideas through working one to one with Enterprise Coaches, and via learning workshops.  For more information about the project, contact Richard Williams at Network Consortium on 01902 572020.   

Find Parthways 2 Enterprise on Sandwell Council's new Information Point 

The word is spreading about the Pathways 2 Enterprise project and its successes across the Black Country!

Click on the links below to see how the project is helping unemployed people in Sandwell...

http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/news/article/1253/help_for_the_unemployed

http://www.expressandstar.com/money/careers/2011/10/06/help-at-hand-in-sandwell-over-loss-of-jobs/

The Pathways to Enterprise project, delivered by Network Consortium would like to understand the social return on investment to the State of activity carried out by this project and wishes to appoint an external organisation to undertake this work.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm 14^th September 2011.

 Details of this opportunity are available by accessing or downloading the PDF Document, or by contacting Richard Williams, Project Manager on 01902 572020 or rwilliams@w-n-c.org

On the evening of the 9^th May, a packed hall at the WorkSpace in All Saints welcomed Inderjit Bhogal OBE, Methodist Minister, writer and commentator, leader of the Corrymeela Community, humanitarian and Chair of the City of Sanctuary movement. There at the invitation of the Wolverhampton Inter-faith and Regeneration Network, Inderjit led the explorations for Wolverhampton to work towards recognition as a City of Sanctuary.

 Faith bodies, community groups, voluntary organisations and individuals listened to Inderjit, held round table discussions and watched the City of Sanctuary film (http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/node/540), and fed back on a positive and progressive round of deliberations. 

Proud to be a Place of Safety City of Sanctuary is a movement of local people and community groups. We want Wolverhampton to be a welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary from war or persecution. For many years Wolverhampton has offered a home to people whose lives were in danger in their own countries. Many have lost their homes and families, but they have brought new skills, music, food and hard work to build up our city. City of Sanctuary supporters include faith bodies, community centres, charities, voluntary groups, social clubs, schools and businesses. Supporting organisations promise to welcome and include people seeking sanctuary in their activities. By doing this, they help local people and new arrivals to meet and to work together to improve their communities. We would like more local groups and individuals to help in making Wolverhampton proud to be a place of safety. We can organise concerts, talks and workshops to bring Wolverhampton people together, and we can send our supporters news of local refugee events and opportunities. If you would like to be involved in making Wolverhampton a more welcoming city then please contact Geoff here at WNC or alternatively John or Mike at WIFRN on 427601 or admin@wifrn.org.uk or for more information on City of Sanctuary visit the website: www.cityofsanctuary.org

How could your community welcome people seeking sanctuary? 

·         Pass a resolution of support for Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary and send us a copy. 

·         Display one of the "We welcome refugees" signs outside your building or office. 

·         Invite a refugee to speak to your community about their experiences. 

·         Publicise City of Sanctuary, Refugee Week and other refugee events within your community. 

·         Publicise opportunities for voluntary work with refugee organisations. 

·         Invite refugee groups to your community social events. 

·         Offer befriending or advocacy to people seeking sanctuary in your area. 

·         Offer meeting or worship space to a refugee community group. 

·         Raise funds for a local refugee charity. 

·         Provide short or longer-term accommodation to people who are homeless because they have been refused sanctuary, by offering a spare room, or by contributing to the rent for a house. 

·         Offer volunteer placements for suitably skilled refugees with your organisation. 

·         Consider appointing refugees to positions of responsibility in your community. 

These are just a few suggestions of ways that community groups can involve people seeking sanctuary in your activities. For more information, contacts with relevant organisations and support with putting these or other ideas into practice please contact Wolverhampton Inter-faith and Regeneration Network, The Methodist Centre, 24 School Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4LF, telephone 01902 427601, email admin@wifrn.org.uk or see the website www.wifrn.org.uk. Geoff Boswell (gboswell@w-n-c.org) at our office can also advise on the City of Sanctuary initiative.