Neighbourhood Engagement Project Luisa Ares

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Neighbourhood Engagement ProjectLuisa Ares
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Neighbourhood Engagement Project

• Interviews with Lewisham VCOs
• re local assemblies
• Consultations with
• Lewisham ethnic minority groups
• Supporting VCOs engagement and collaboration for
  local assemblies
• 1 of 4 Collaboration champions in London

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VAL engagement work with ethnic minority groups

• Main ethnic minority groups in Lewisham
• Consultations with members/users
• Adults
• Young people
• Interviews with community leaders/ workers

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Barriers to engagement (1)

• Social cohesion
• Identity and vulnerability
• Islamophobia and hate crime
• Cultural and religious differences
• Hostile media coverage

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Barriers to engagement (2)

• Issues related to being a refugee
• settlement issues and long term unemployment
  (above average)
• lack of understanding of UK and local structures
• e.g. Steve Bullock, who is he?
• What do councillors do?
• isolation
• language
• Restrictive policy environment
• e.g. complex eligibility requirements to access
  services, English courses, etc.

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VAL engagement work Muslim womens groups in
Bellingham, a case study

• Engagement needs assessment and support with
  local assemblies Mayors Fund
• Interviews with community workers
• Consultation with users
• Support with service development for young muslim
  girls and boys (14-19)
• 1-2-1 additional support with Mayors Fund
  application and presentation skills practice
• Sensitising groups to collaboration benefits

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Outcomes

• Skills development
• Asserting presence in community
• Raised awareness of muslim community in
  Bellingham
• Issues raised about these single equality groups
  appearing to segregationist
• Developing relationship with local assemblies
  coordinator
• But
• Groups did not attend

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Challenges

• Voting un-islamic
• Lack of support from husbands men
• Childcare issues competing pressures
• Isolation and lack of confidence
• Women should not be in mixed public spaces
• Assembly setting appears formal and unwelcoming
• A wish to be considered part of the community,
  but feel they are not
• Risk of facing negative reaction from wider
  community

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Neighbourhood Engagement Project proposals

• A social cohesion strategy and partnership
  approach for ethnic minority communities across
  LBL other partners
• Equalities approach for all engagement activities
• Not all start from same platform
• Cohesive programme building bridges integral
  part of engagement activities
• Specialist support and development for LBL staff
  working in super diversity

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Neighbourhood Engagement Project 2010-2011

• Ongoing engagement support of Lewisham VCOs and
  ethnic minority groups
• Ethnic minority network of engagement
• Training for LBL, other statutory partners and
  VCOs staff to improve engagement and mutual
  understanding
• Developing an accredited leadership skills
  training for ethnic minority women and young
  people

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• Thank you