Conference celebrates role of older people from ethnic minorities in Scottish society
Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations were today (6th October) celebrating the role that older people from ethnic minorities play in Scottish society at the first ever national conference to celebrate this vibrant cross section of Scottish society. The conference also marks the 10th Anniversary of the Equal Opportunities Programme, set up by Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations which supports people of all ages from across the Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) communities in Scotland.
The conference, held at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel in Polmont, featured a speech from the Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil MSP. The Minister warmly endorsed the work of the Equal Opportunities Programme and outlined the important role for older people from Black Minority and Ethnic communities in Scotland. Dr Sabine Schulz of the Ministry for Intergenerational Affairs, Family, Women and Integration in the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, also addressed the conference.
The multicultural nature of the event was reflected in the lunch which featured Chinese, European and Indian cuisine. The event also featured a colourful and lively programme of entertainment, including:
− A performance featuring Dhol Indian percussion music fused with Scottish bagpipes.
− A dance spectacle featuring both Chinese and Indian styles
− African Drums
A short film was also commissioned for the event. This featured many of the older people that have benefited from the services to share their thoughts and feelings about living in Scotland as a member of a BME community.
Rohini Sharma-Joshi, head of the Equal Opportunities Programme said:
“I am delighted by the success of the conference. I really think of today as a celebration, not just of a decade of success of the Equal Opportunities Programme in Scotland, but of the incredibly important and valuable role that older people from ethnic minorities play in Scottish society. Our conference today has highlighted much of the success we have had over the past ten years, but there is much more to do and I hope we can highlight further progress in another ten years time.”
The Equal Opportunities Programme was set up after research indicated that a multitude of barriers were inhibiting the take up of housing, care and support services in Scotland by older people from BME communities. Such barriers included 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. Since it has been active the programme has won numerous awards for it’s work and has received lottery funding. It has pioneered the ‘Happy to Translate’ logo. This involves participating public sector organisations displaying the official logo on their literature and in reception areas to let non-English readers and speakers know they will provide quality translation and interpreting services.
Notes to Editors
Other information may be found at
Equality Scotland www.equalityscotland.com
Trust Housing Association www.trustha.org.uk
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association www.hsha.org.uk
Bield Housing Association www.bield.co.uk
Otherwise please contact Kenneth Fleming at kenneth.fleming@sc.grayling.com or 0131 558 8719