**Coronavirus Update**
It is with regret that we have had to close the Unity Centre again on this third lockdown. The building will not be open to the public until at least mid February 2021. Phone lines will be staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-3pm for any enquiries.
Other staff are working remotely so if you have an enquiry about:
Immigration – contact karen@chawrec.org.uk or call 07493 114860
Discrimination casework– contact elizabeth@chawrec.org.uk
Our ESOL classes are being delivered remotely – details can be found on our website www.chawrec.org.uk/online-esol-resources
For anything else please contact shantele@chawrec.org.uk
Staff are regularly picking up e-mails and will call you if necessary.
Coping Strategies for Anxious Times
The NHS have released guidance for those who may be experiencing anxiety in these difficult time. The guide is very user friendly, with practical hints and tips to reduce anxiety. It is available in many different languages – below:
Launch ‘We’re Still Here’
This morning we launched our research into the needs and aspirations of Gypsy Traveller communities, fourteen years after our last research ‘Here to Stay’ was released. The research was a joint project working with Irish Community Care. The launch was originally planned to take place in April but had to be postponed because of lockdown. Still it gave us a chance to try new technology and our zoom virtual launch worked well with 51 people taking part.
Participants heard from Jill Broomhall from Cheshire East Council, Win Lawlor at Irish Community Care, Corinne Thomason, Diverse Solutions who conducted the research and Russell Fury from the Gypsy community who was one of the community researchers.
Some comments from the session –
‘interesting and thought provoking’
‘thanks for an excellent and moving session’
‘Thank you so much for today. It has been a huge wake up call’
‘Really informative and a lot to think about to tackle systemic inbuilt racism and discrimination once and for all’
You can download a copy of the research here :
#Black Lives Matter
Following the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matters protests, we feel it is important we should make a statement in support of this movement, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and other anti racist organisations who are fighting to eliminate race discrimination every day.
We hope that the increased discussion and debate that is generated through this movement will foster a greater understanding of the issues faced by BAME communities on a daily basis and help us all to promote change. Systemic racism has always been a problem in the UK and we all must do more to challenge it. It is still the case that BAME communities are over represented in the UK prison system, more likely to be stopped and searched and more likely to live in poverty. This is not acceptable in 2020. We must do more.
As an organisation we continue to challenge and campaign; to ask the difficult questions of those who hold power. We are also here to support individuals who’ve experienced racism by providing them with information, advice and guidance to help them seek justice.
If you have experienced discrimination we have a specialist service – contact our caseworker Elizabeth Lambrakis – elizabeth@chawrec.org.uk for further advice and help. We also have detailed information about your rights on discriminationhelp.org.uk
Vacancy – P/T Information Officer – 15hrs
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and committed individual to join our small, friendly team. We are looking for someone to cover our reception at the Unity Centre, as well as providing a general admin support service to the Race and Equality Centre. The role is very varied but will include maintaining our websites, updating social media, helping to organise events, dealing with room bookings as well as general administration tasks. The successful candidate will be efficient, flexible, have good computer literacy and excellent customer service skills with a clear commitment to equality.
Closing date for this post is Wednesday 2nd October at 12 noon
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 15th October
Please download the whole application pack below
AGM – Tuesday 23 April 2019
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY 23rd APRIL
We are pleased to invite you along to our Annual General Meeting taking place at the end of next month.
We will again this year be hosting a fairly low key event, focusing more on our members and the work of the organisation over the last year. There will be a presentation talking about what we have done last year and what we are hoping to focus on in the coming year – we will also be doing a short exercise with members to try and get members to think about the contribution they can make to the organisation’s future. If you haven’t already been it is also an opportunity for you to visit our new community cafe as we will be putting on food for the event from there.
You can download documents for the meeting below:
Unity Centre Open Day and Launch of Community Cafe
Come and join us for our annual Open Day and the opening of our Community Cafe on Saturday 10 November, 11-3pm!
Syrian Culture Training Day: Thursday 6 September 2018
We are organising a training day on Syrian Culture on Thursday 6th September from 10-3.30pm at Riverside Innovation Centre, Chester. The day will be delivered by the International Organisation for Migration (the UN Migration Agency) which delivers the cultural orientation to Syrian refugees before they arrive in the UK.
This day is a must for anyone working with Syrian refugees and will cover topics such as Syrian history, culture and lifestyle, the humanitarian crisis, what is covered in pre departure orientation, cultural adjustment and experiences of resettled refugees.
Price is £25 a head which includes lunch.
Please contact Valerie or Anita on reception on 01244 400730 or email office@chawrec.org.uk to book. Places are limited.
AGM Tuesday 21 November 2017
I am really pleased to invite you along to our Annual General Meeting taking place at the end of next month. As has been the case the last few years, due to tight budgets we will be holding a fairly low key event. I will be doing a presentation about the work we have been doing – it’s been an interesting year so I hope you will enjoy it. I am also hoping to run a short exercise with members – based around our key values as an organisation. I think it is important for us to keep reviewing our aims and objectives to ensure we don’t get ‘mission drift’. Enclosed with this letter should be the following:
Invite
Notice for AGM
Nomination Form
List of Members Standing Down
Minutes of last AGM
Accounts will be available on the night. We will be providing food and there will be an opportunity to network. Please let us know asap if you will be attending or not (by e-mail/phone or post) and please note that all nominations to the Trustee Board must be returned by Tuesday 7 th November 12 noon.
