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> What is the Equal Opportunities Programme?
>Special Projects to Promote Equality
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WHO WE ARE
Trust (formerly Kirk Care), Hanover (Scotland) and Bield are three specialist housing associations that provide housing, care and support services primarily for older people throughout Scotland, as well as some general needs housing for other age groups. More details on housing, care and support services including how to apply for housing.
WHAT IS THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMME?
In 1999, the Associations commissioned research to examine the very low take up of housing, care and support services in Scotland by older people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
The research confirmed that, while a demand for these services exists, a multitude of barriers has resulted in a dramatically less take up of these services, or indeed information about them. Such barriers include difficulties with language, literacy, culture, age, isolation, health and frailty.
As a result, the Associations resolved to take a proactive, joint partnership approach by creating the Equal Opportunities Programme. The remit of the programme is to promote fairness, equality and social inclusion for Scotland’s Black and Minority Ethnic communities, particularly, “hard to reach” groups such as older people. Its founding objectives are to:
- Encourage take up of services by Black and Minority Ethnic older people
- Develop policy and procedures which promote positive action and which reflect current legislation
- Develop initiatives and promotional and marketing campaigns to raise awareness about the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic older people and communities
- Encourage Black and Minority Ethnic communities to seek Employment with the Associations, and to work in partnership with other agencies to develop equal opportunity practices in employment.
- Train staff on equality issues
SPECIAL PROJECTS to PROMOTE EQUALITY
To help further these objectives, the Equal Opportunities Programme has undertaken a number of projects including:
- “Happy to Translate” Logo Initiative
- “Housing for Older People” DVD/Video
- “Housing for Older People” Newsletter
- Job Opportunities Fair
- Open Surgeries
- Race Awareness Training
- Pension Benefit Outreach Project
- Job Opportunities Support Project
- 2004 Multicultural Calendar
- Various networking and social events
- Older People's Services Development Project
CONTACT
The Equal Opportunities Programme is led by a full-time Housing Equal Opportunities Manager, Rohini Sharma Joshi, and includes Anthony LK Chu, Neeru Bhatnagar, Rana Sallam, Katrina McEntegart and Clare Dolan.
Contact information