REDP Equality Update Event - Nottinghamshire

On 27th January was the second in a series of Equality Update Events presented by the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP). At Nottingham Voluntary Centre, Milton Street, we have a good turnout, with eight VCS organisations represented, even if the basement room is a bit cramped. Kelly Jussab, REDP's Project Officer and I are presenting jointly and we give over the last section of the two-hour session to Michelle Breslin, who speaks about the 2011 Census (which is now only two months away).

Find out more about the 2011 Census:
http://2011.census.gov.uk/

- George M Ballentyne, REDP Core Partner

REDP Equality Update Event - Derbyshire

Early start this morning. Off to South Normanton, Derbyshire, for the first in a series of update events on the Equality Act 2010, offered by the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP).

I catch the 0715 to Melton Mowbray station (just one stop from Leicester). Just before 0800, Laura Horton, Project Manager for REDP (and on the right in photo above) picks me up from outside the station and we're on our way.

Some slow moving traffic means we reach South Normanton at 0930. The meeting is in the Post Mill Centre, which is fairly easy to find in this small town. It doesn't take us long to set up. We're joined by five representatives from equality-based Voluntary and Community Sector groups working in the area. Starting at 1000, Laura and I present an overview of the "equality landscape" (central government's phrase, not ours) with a little bit of PowerPoint and lot of chatty interaction.

We're doing half a dozen or so sessions like this over the next few weeks. I'm involved in helping present another two (in Northampton and in Nottingham). I love how REDP gets out and about, mixing it up among the people on the ground, the ones who do the actual work, in some places that wouldn't normally be considered for this kind of event, away from the bigger population centres. Keeping it real!

by George M Ballentyne - REDP Core Partner