Torbay Multicultural Network Blog
01.08.2022
We have been developing a network to support the local ethnic minority community in Torbay’s public, private and community sector, working alongside the Torbay Racism Review Panel.
Currently funded by Torbay Council and supported by Devon and Somerset Fire Service and Devon Police, it launched in September 2021 and to date has 10 members from a diverse range of backgrounds. They meet regularly to reflect on their own experiences and ideas about how to tackle discrimination, as well as gathering information and feedback from their respective communities. The aim is to work with organisations in Torbay to tackle social inequalities triggered by racial and ethnic prejudices and discrimination.
The network also creates a monthly newsletter which includes anti-racism resources, awareness of cultural activities and events and news from around the area. If you would like to receive this or work together with the network, please email: torbaymulticulturalnetwork@gmail.com.
Welcome to the Torbay Multicultural Network Blog. More recent posts will appear just below this text, with older posts appearing further down in age order.
January 2023 highlights: The Torbay Multicultural Network are excited to welcome 2 new members who are passionate about representing their communities and helping to promote diversity and inclusion!
December 2022 highlights: The Torbay Multicultural Network co-ordinator continued to reach out to organisations around Torbay who are committed to learning more about diversity and inclusion, as well as receiving regular resources such as the monthly newsletter from the group to share with their colleagues.
November 2022 highlights: This month, the group had their quarterly group meeting. They decided that their new area of work would be around delivering a diversity and inclusion training session to organisations in Torbay and the surrounding area.
October 2022 highlights: The Torbay Multicultural Network co-ordinator set up a Facebook group to share regular updates and educational resources. Join the page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2914822185486872
Also, as part of transforming the newsletter into a more educational and engaging format, network member Bruno designed a piece of educational artwork displaying the deep-rooted, devastating effects that discrimination can cause: “I have created a piece of art for the newsletter which represents a tree: one side is flourishing with leaves and the other side is bare. This bare side contains statements such as “lack of representation”, “lack of education”, “vulnerability” and “hate crime” at the roots. This is what some people from a targeted and discriminated minority group can experience and feel. These problems can be so deeply rooted that the tree cannot fully flourish.”
August – September 2022 highlights: The Torbay Multicultural Network co-ordinator continued to reach out to organisations around Torbay who are committed to learning more about diversity and inclusion, as well as receiving regular resources such as the monthly newsletter from the group to share with their colleagues.
July 2022 highlights: The group had a steering group meeting to discuss how to promote the group via social media to gain more members and more supporting organisations around Torbay. It was decided a poll should be put out for members to choose which platform they preferred. It was also decided that the monthly newsletter should be transformed into a more engaging format.
March – June 2022 highlights: Over the past few months, the network have been focusing on education as a tool to promote diversity in Torbay. The members have created a guide for healthcare professionals with tips and reminders about how to deal with patients from a variety of different backgrounds. As Torbay and the surrounding area becomes more and more diverse, it is crucial that we raise awareness of different cultures to ensure everyone treats each other with respect and dignity. Click here to view the guide.
February 2022 highlights:The network members met with Torbay Council to help them understand the lives of ethnic minority groups living or working in the Torbay. The members shared their experiences, both positive and negative to provide the council with constructive feedback and ideas for change. The council will this invaluable feedback to shape their Racism Review Panel report – (due in the summer).
January 2022 highlights: A member of the Torbay Multicultural Network spoke at a meeting with Devon and Cornwall Police to offer ideas and suggestions about how they can more effectively engage with different groups around Torbay.