Being Different Together

Worcestershire equality and diversity officers throughout the County successfully secured funding from the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (WMRIEP) capacity building fund back in 2008.  

The money has been used for a range of initiatives to develop an equality and diversity strategy for Worcestershire and engage with our diverse communities. The project has been running for 2 years and this was the first time Worcestershire authorities have worked together to address diversity issues across the county.   

The benefits of the project have included:

• Gaining a better understanding of our minority communities – BME groups, people with disabilities etc.
  
• Establishing new ways to engage with these groups
  
• Improved targeted services
  
• Increased confidence at councils on equality and diversity
  
• Formal accreditation of level 2 of the Equality Standard - now replaced by the Equality Framework for Local Government so councils get feedback on and recognition of their work

The project officially came to an end on 31st March 2010 and this was marked by a conference celebrating the achievements of the project at Worcester Rugby Club.

However this is not the end of 'Being Different Together', due to the success of the project, all councils originally involved have agreed to continue to work together to address equality and diversity issues in the County.