A picture celebrating Hampshire's diverse communities
bullet Homebullet Voluntary & Community bullet Equality & Diversity
top border

Equality and Diversity

The principles of equality and diversity are core to all Community Action Hampshire’s activities. We have long been involved in helping organisations to meet the needs of Hampshire’s diverse communities, supporting the development of minority groups and tackling issues of inequality. We are also committed to encouraging county-wide awareness and celebration of diversity.

Hampshire Diversity Support Project (July 2009 - June 2012)

Building on the earlier exploratory work, in partnership with Winchester Area Community Action (WACA) CAH initiated the Hampshire Diversity Support Project. The Project, funded by the Big Lottery ended on 30 June 2012. It aimed to: 

  • Establish the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum (HIEF) - free to join, the Forum provides Hampshire’s diverse communities, networks and individuals with an opportunity to work together and approach service providers with a collective voice. Community Action Hampshire will continue to co-ordinate the Forum.
  • Help voluntary and community organisations to better meet the needs of the county’s diverse communities – specifically via targeted funding support and diversity audit training (using the Equality and Diversity Toolkit). A new version of the toolkit updated in line with the Single Equality Act 2010 will be available shortly.
  • During May and June 2012 the Project was independently evaluated by Shelagh Prosser and Sheila Rogers, Independent Equality and Diversity Consultants.

View the Executive Summary and full evaluation report. (PDF version)

View the Executive Summary and full evaluation report. (Word Version)

Related work

In addition to specific project work CAH offers regular updates (e-bulletins), diversity training, signposting to other sources of guidance and help and support in developing greater knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Along with other networks we work with the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Community Development Officer Network and Uni (aiming to develop the BME voluntary and community sector in South East England)

We also work with our partners and service providers to support groups at particular risk of discrimination or exclusion, such as migrant workers and Gypsies and Travellers.

Do you work with equality and diversity?

Check out some responses to frequently asked questions (Equality and Diversity FAQs) or see our Equality and Diversity Toolkit (this has been updated in 2012 and covers the changes brought in by the Equality Act 2010) – designed to support organisations looking to better engage with the subject. We also have information on Equality Impact Assessments that you may find helpful.

Get involved

For more information on the project please follow the links within this page or contact Liz Donegan, by e-mail or call 01962 857359.

“We know from our work that equality issues go unaddressed despite the fact that agencies spend a lot of time ‘consulting’ with communities … the time is right to develop an Equality Forum that will give Hampshire’s diverse communities the chance to have their voices heard and their concerns about equality and discrimination issues discussed on their terms.”

Community Action Hampshire CEO, Sue Dovey, welcoming the Big Lottery Fund award.

Voluntary & Community
bottom border