This series of free training session gives guidance on providing inclusive services for people from minority ethnic backgrounds that may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (ME/LGBT people). It is open to all voluntary and public sector organisations in Scotland. For more information on sessions or to book, please email sam@equality-network.org.

Date: 13 September 2010

Location: London

This free half day seminar will show the learning from three PCTs about how genuine community engagement successfully challenges health inequalities and improves the lives of people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The event coincides with publication of ‘In Powerful Health’, a detailed study of the three PCTs, and will cover issues including:

•  Approaches that address health inequalities in a number of areas of concern, notably Coronary Heart Disease; breast screening appointment uptake; general access to primary care for BME groups
•  The importance of local partnerships and health advocacy workers to engage people in healthcare from deprived communities (NHS Bristol)
•  How to improve data on the health needs of diverse populations to improve commissioning (NHS Suffolk)
•  Ways to increase the power of communities by developing local community researchers to evidence health needs and by building the capacity of BME-led voluntary sector organisations to deliver improved access (NHS Westminster)

Date: 15 and 22 September 2010

Location: London

The Terrence Higgins Trust is providing a range of free training for African community organisations to further develop their skills.

The training covers several areas:

•  explore how The Knowledge, Will and Power document is used in NHS commissioning and how to reference this in a funding bid
•  explore what diversifying funding means in practice and where to source information on diverse funders
•  consider how to build a strong case for funding based on evidence
•  learn how to communicate every stage of a project from set-up to achievement and measurement of outcomes
•  learn how to create clearly presented and realistic budgets for funding bids
•  be introduced to some practical methods for building stronger partnerships

For more information, email learning@tht.org.uk.

Date: 23 September 2010

Location: London

The ageing of ethnic minority groups over the next decades places an important duty on planners to provide appropriate social support, including housing and community services. A clear understanding of the needs and aspirations of older BME people is critical to the development of public policies and services that incorporate the diversity of their experience. The seminar will address issues around support and gaps in services for ethnic minority older people, a timely topic in relation to local government’s proposed new strategic commissioning role driving on the integration of health and social care and a new statutory responsibility on public health functions.

Date: 23 September 2010

Location: Birmingham

The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it to help tackle discrimination and inequality. It comes into effect in October 2010.

This event will begin with a broad overview of the legislation, and then look at the impact on social care services for adults including:

•  The memorandum of understanding recently agreed between the Care Quality Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission
•  Key issues for inspection and regulation
•  Existing good practice, for example developing an inter-agency Equalties and Human Rights Charter

This free event organised by the Network for Black Professionals and funded by the Department for Communities & Local Government will examine the impact of public sector cuts on black and minority ethnic professionals, providing guidance on how to prepare for change in your organisation caused by the deep budget cuts facing the public sector. It will help you:

•  Find out about the Network for Black Professionals’ plans and priorities in relation to tackling racial inequalities and how bespoke programmes can be rolled out in your organisation;
•  Learn how the Black Leadership Initiative® programmes can help BME professionals to progress their career;
•  Support development of Positive Action programmes for BME communities.

Date: 1 October 2010

Location: Manchester

This event will provide two sessions of short lectures in the morning followed by facilitated interactive sessions in the afternoon exploring various key challenges as well as solutions.

Invitation, Key Themes, Programme, Flyer, Registration.

For more information, email Anil.Jain@uhsm.nhs.uk.

Date: 5 October 2010

Location: London

This seminar will examine the role that independent advocacy services may play in the Coalition Government’s vision for 'Big Society'. A range of speakers from across the spectrum will explore the issues and give their view on this critical issue, considering issues such as:

Workshops

•  The Language of Big Society: How can we make it work for us?
•  Surviving the cuts: Practical ideas for keeping in the black
•  Quality counts: Demonstrating quality in tough times
•  Keeping radical: Maintaining our commitment to rights, justice and empowerment

Date: 7 October 2010

Location: London

This event will examine the ongoing challenge for the provision of personalised care delivered at a local level through:

•  tackling local health inequalities
•  providing leadership to promote wellbeing
•  fostering a joined-up approach to health improvement throughout local government, through a partnership process

For the full agenda, or to book, visit the Healthy Communities website.

Date: 7 October 2010

Location: London

This event will provide a targeted panel discussion looking at the main policy issues covered in the new coalition programme to allow delegates to discuss and debate how the Equality Act will work in practice, the impact on organisations and what they can do to prepare for its full implementation, with the aim of making equality a reality. Key topics include:

•  Implementing the Equality Act - Equality and Diversity Legislation
•  Bridging the Skills Gap
•  Promoting Fair Access Across the Public Sector

Date: 12 October 2010

Location: London

This one day conference provides an opportunity to learn what the leading cross cultural experts are doing in 4 countries to establish cultural consultation services and improve access to mental health services for people from diverse cultures. It also provides an opportunity for the participants to network and exchange ideas.

Date: 13 and 20 October 2010

Location: London

The Terrence Higgins Trust is providing a range of free training for African community organisations to further develop their skills.

The training covers several areas:

•  • explore the project cycle including potential challenges at each stage
•  • discuss case studies of successful and unsuccessful projects
•  • role play project management skills in a team with other trainees practise using typical project planning and monitoring tools
•  • reflect on key project management terminology

For more information, email learning@tht.org.uk.

Date: 1 - 2 November 2010

Location: London

Implementing cost-effective change based on evidence is the key challenge for health systems around the world. Evidence 2010 aims to be the leading evidence-based healthcare event at the forefront of EBM debate and innovation. The aims of the conference are to:

•  Improve evidence-based decision making and provide practical, evidence-based ideas that can be implemented in practice
•  Foster effective innovation
•  Guide efficient commissioning
•  Provide education and training to improve evidence-based healthcare

ARC, BILD and Mencap are bringing people together in 9 Regional Summit Meeting around England to talk and learn from people with learning disabilities and family carers from BME communities. The benefits of getting involved include the opportunity to:

•  Meet local people from BME communities, to learn about their specific cultures, to hear about the problems that they have and find out what they need from your services;
•  Base your strategic plan for future services on first-hand knowledge;
•  Demonstrably commit to equality;
•  Obtain a good platform for developing your race equality impact assessment;
•  Meet families from BME communities who could be involved in your Learning Disability Partnership Board;
•  Explain the problems and realities of delivering services today.

Date: 9 November 2010

Location: Manchester

Manchester Refugee Support Network is organising a free learning programme for refugee community organisations. The programme will enable participants to gain practical skills and knowledge on how to continuously improve the management of their organisation and the services they provide to refugees.

The course is designed to help refugee groups turn project ideas into a clear project outline, understand the key elements of most funding applications, learn from each other’s experiences of applying to funders, learn what funders want to see in funding applications and find out about various funding sources available. For more details or to book, email belay@mrsn.org.uk.