1 / 10

The Journey of SBMEN: Empowering BME Communities in Sunderland

SBMEN, established in 2003, arose from a growing governmental interest in Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. Officially constituted in 2005, with backing from Becon, SBMEN aims to enhance the voluntary and community sector's infrastructure in Sunderland. It addresses under-resourcing and low strategic participation of BME organizations. Through various initiatives, including training and networking events, SBMEN supports individual members, aids in securing funding, and partners with local agencies. The network now includes 16 BME organizations, focusing on member empowerment and strategic influence in community development.

kareem
Télécharger la présentation

The Journey of SBMEN: Empowering BME Communities in Sunderland

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Dean T Huggins Development Officer

  2. How did we start? • SBMEN originally emerged in 2003 in response to enhanced Government interest in BME communities • SBMEN became a constituted body in 2005 with support from Becon • The project was part of the Sunderland ChangeUp to strengthen the infrastructure of the voluntary and community sector

  3. Context • Black and Minority Ethnic Voluntary & Community Sector in Sunderland is under-resourced • No or very low strategic participation • None receive grant funding from the local authority – and never will • Three have SLA with the statutory sector • Marginalised within the whole VCS

  4. Development work The SBMEN awarded a contract to Praxis - work started in October 2005 to develop: • organisational and management capacity • a business plan, funding strategy and work plan • explore opportunities for partnership working in Sunderland • Address issues around longevity • Organising a study visit to Bradford’s COEMO in March 2006

  5. What we have done so far • Organise networking events (eg Training) • Support individual members in preparing and presenting reports and business plans • Ensure black and minority ethnic participation in strategic activities (eg developing the Sunderland Strategy) • Participation in Sunderland’s Community Network

  6. Funding • Funds have been secured from a variety of sources over the years: ChangeUp, NLDC and the Northern Rock Foundation (small and large grants) • Lack of success with Big Lottery and Capacity Builders • Seek funding opportunities for members: Connecting Communities Plus, Grassroots Grants, Community Leadership Fund

  7. Where are we now? • A network of 16 black and minority ethnic organisations and groups in Sunderland • Two staff members: 1.5 posts • Funded until March 2009 by the Northern Rock Foundation • Working in partnership with other infrastructure organisations and agencies

  8. The Future • Increase awareness of the Network and its provision • Focus on member support: the Network is only as strong as its members • Strengthen the networking between members • There are questions about the value of strategic work: can the Network really impact on public agencies? (They want us, but won’t pay) • Increasing activity within The Sunderland Network • Secure funding for work beyond March 2009

  9. Acknowledgements: • Praxis • Northern Rock Foundation • Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities • Continuum • BECON • Sunderland City Council & SRB 6 • The Sunderland Community Network / SCVS • Member organisations & Management Committee

  10. Thank you for listening

More Related