A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

From Shared Vision to Shared Action

Voice4Change England Parliamentary reception 2011

On 23rd March we held our annual Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

The event was attended by BME and wider VCOs, funders and parliamentarians.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

We welcomed our new Chair Elizabeth Balgobin to her first public engagement for V4CE.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

• The day before the event we heard that V4CE would not maintain its strategic partner status with OCS and that OCS would have no equality-led strategic partners.

• Elizabeth committed that V4CE would not take this decision lightly and would stand up on behalf of the BME voluntary and community sector. “The gloves are

off!”

Virendra Sharma MP hosted the event and set out his support for V4CE in his address to attendees.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

• He was sad to hear that V4CE will no longer be supported by the Government.

• But was pleased to hear what V4CE has achieved in its short lifespan.

• He has supported organisations including the Indian Workers Association and Southall Black Sisters and will support V4CE too.

“You have my commitment that with my colleagues, I

will fight your case alongside supporting you in

your campaign.”

Alun Michael MP also joined us to show his support for V4CE and the BME VCS.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

• He said he was saddened to hear about the lack of Government support for V4CE.

• That V4CE had being doing good work in enabling society to be ‘inclusive’ and ‘big’.

• He will be writing to the Minister about the decision not to award OCS strategic partner funding to V4CE.

Dr Wondwossen Eshetu spoke about how NAZ Project London overcame funding challenges.• Last year NAZ Project London

(NPL) was at the brink of closure.

• They successfully fundraised by focusing on individual donations using volunteer support.

• They were supported by other core funds coming to NAZ.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

• Being a member of V4CE means NPL can link with the wider BME VCS community and gives greater power and capacity to influence government agendas.

At the event we launched our new publication from V4CE Research Fellow Sanjiv Lingayah.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

A transformative Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector for a Big Inclusive Society

And were proud to be presented with PQASSO level 1 by CES’ Chair and CEO!

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

After the speakers there were plenty of networking opportunities.

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

Big Unfair Society campaign

A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

• Building on support at the event we launched our Big Unfair Society campaign to campaign against OCS’ decision to not have any equality-led organisations as strategic partners.

• You can read more about the campaign on our website: http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/what-next-for-the-big-unfair-society-campaign.html