Diversity lunches - Involving people from minority ethnic communities
Agencies involved:
NHS Fife, Fife Council Social Work Services, FRAE Fife Social Inclusion Partnership
Techniques used:
Community conferences/ seminars, Focus groups
Relevant publications:
Good practice guidance: consultation with equalities groups, Promoting inclusion of minority ethnic communities
Background
Social Work Services and the NHS have a duty to work together and co-ordinate their activities as a result of the ‘Joint Futures Agenda’, which aims to improve joint working in the community care field, primarily between health and local authorities. In Fife, these agencies are keen to ensure that the views of minority ethnic communities are taken into account when improving joint service provision. This case study explores the way in which Fife NHS and Fife Council Social Work Services have involved minority ethnic communities in discussions about service planning and delivery.
Fife NHS and Social Work have developed a positive relationship with the FRAE (Fairness, Race, Awareness and Equality) Fife Partnership, a thematic Social Inclusion Partnership which aims to develop the capacity of minority ethnic communities in Fife and work with agencies to ensure they promote equality. FRAE Fife employs a dedicated Link Worker who works with Fife NHS and Social Work to ensure that minority ethnic communities in Fife are able to input into service planning and the Joint Future agenda. The first priority of the Joint Futures Agenda was older people, and the FRAE Fife Link Worker was involved in ensuring that minority ethnic older people had a voice in the development of the strategy for addressing the needs of this client group.
Involving People from Minority Ethnic Communities
Social Work and the NHS were also keen to ensure that the views of minority ethnic individuals in Fife are taken into account in all areas of service planning and delivery. As a result the FRAE Fife Link Worker assisted them in establishing an ongoing series of events called ‘Diversity Lunches’. The aim of the Diversity Lunches was to bring together minority ethnic community representatives and service providers in a “non-threatening and informal way”. The Diversity Lunches were established in 2003 and since then have been held on a quarterly basis.
The lunches take the form of a presentation on a particular issue, such as communications, followed by participants breaking into groups to exchange ideas and opinions over an informal lunch. Feedback from staff members has been very positive, with staff being extremely enthusiastic and coming away from the Lunches “brimming with ideas”.
