Equalities Monthly - December 2024!
- Dec 4, 2024
- 11 min read
Hello world!
Welcome to the December release of our Equalities Monthly newsletter. As usual we will be sharing updates and developments from all of the latest events, consultations and more from across Fife.
Keep reading to find out more about what we've been up to and what you can get involved with.
We are always on the lookout for new activities and updates to add to our monthly, if you or your organisation has something coming up that you would like us to share, contact us and let us know.
You can also submit events to our Equality Calendar!
What have we been up to at FCE?
On Tue 05 Nov 2024, we checked in with the Fife Chinese Older People Association at their regular lunch meeting.
Lewis and Elric were at the Scottish Interfaith Conference on Tue 12 Nov 24 in Dundee!
We hosted our Common Grounds Gathering and Ceilidh on Wed 12 Nov 24, it was great to see everyone sharing their talents, experiences and dance moves.
We were joined by the Fife Violence Against Women Partnership and authors Alan Bissett and Lynne Crawford at our Book Reading Event on Fri 22 Nov 24.
As always, we have published a range of exciting new events and consultations on our Equality Calendar! Keep posted for more.
Equality Calendar Dates to look out for:
Our Equality Calendar showcases all of the upcoming equalities awareness days, partners events and local consultations! Check out some of the upcoming international days below:
Human Rights Day - 10 Dec: A day to raise awareness of the struggles faced by individuals and groups across the world, and to empower people to make a difference.
International Migrants Day - 18 Dec: Recognising the huge contributions made by migrants across the world, and a call to action to help address the barriers they face.
International Human Solidarity Day - 20 Dec: A day to celebrate our unity in diversity, the wide range of backgrounds that make up our local communities and a reminder to be kind and understanding of others.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence - 25 Nov to 10 Dec: Following on from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the 16 Days of Activism is a campaign of events, workshops and movements across the world to take action.
Click here to visit our Equality Calendar, and add your own event today.
What's happening at FCE?
Updates to FCE's Working Patterns - January 2025 Onwards
Hi everyone - just to keep you all in the loop. From January 2025 onwards we will be adjusting our working patterns so that they fit in a bit better with our programme of events and activities.
We will be breaking down each month into segments, with each segment focused on a specific activity:
Week 1 - Promotion and Awareness Raising:
Equalities Monthly release.
Online Drop-in - chat to the team about what matters to you or share any community concerns.
Monday 17:30 to 18:00
Tuesday 14:00 to 15:00
Wednesday 10:00 to 11:00
Week 2 - Working with Partners:
Fife Equalities Forum Meeting.
FCE Outreach to Local Groups and Organisations!
Week 3 - Listening to Individuals:
Equalities Digest release.
FCE Outreach to Local Groups and Organisations continued.
In-person drop-ins and 1-2-1 interviews.
Week 4 - Building Communities
Our Get-Togethers and Gatherings!
Help us improve our communications.
In Conversation: New Year, New You?
Why FERN?
Employee networks and groups (Staff networks | CIPD) can be really positive and help employees to safely find their voice, connect to peers and improve self-confidence and career aspirations. They can help with employers become more inclusive and deliver on Fair Work frameworks or other employee voice initiatives.
However, we noticed at FCE, that they can be short-lived. People's life circumstances change or they move on to other jobs. Time is an issue and we know that small organisations/SMEs often do not have enough people sharing specific interests to form an 'employee network'. We also know that it is not because people change jobs that they should lose connections with peers or fellow professionals. We think that a network for people working in the Fife area, could provide a solution for this and we want to start 2025 with a conversation on this.
What is it about?
FERN is intended as a space for peer-to-peer networking - for people sharing interests, backgrounds, and experiences at work.
The event is an opportunity for people who work in the Fife area to share in a safe space their experiences, insights and resources to improve their work environment, improve their wellbeing and career development. It is not a training or recruitment event.
Connecting with employee support, health and wellbeing organisations or movements.
We will invite organisations across Fife who can help to improve experiences and wellbeing at work to host information points during the event, we will update the event page with more detail. We have reserved space for a mix of advice and stress-busting/relaxation.
Join us on Thu 23 Jan 2024 as we discuss employee wellbeing, workplace culture and cultivate this new network!
Get involved beforehand by taking part in our open survey here.
For more information, get in touch with us at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834.
FCE's Winter Equalities Fair 2024
FCE will be kicking off the winter season with out Winter Equalities Fair 2024!
Our Winter Equalities Fair is a great opportunity to connect with services and community groups from across Fife that provide vital support to individuals and communities throughout the festive season.
Join us for a cuppa, a bite to eat and learn more about the help available. As mentioned above, there will be a wide range of service providers and local organisations that can share advice, practical assistance and helpful resources for anyone who needs it.
If you would be interested in coming along, please let us know by clicking here!
Fife Interfaith and Belief Network - December Meeting
Just a quick reminder that the next Fife Interfaith and Belief Network meeting will be taking place on Tue 10 Dec 2024 from 17:00 to 18:00.
The meeting will be taking place as part of our Winter Equalities Fair at the Rothes Halls!
Let's Chat Equality - Fife
What would you like to see in your community? Let us know.
We're looking to learn more about what makes Fife special for you. Whether it is good or bad experiences with service providers or your aspirations for the future of your local community.
We will share your feedback with services in Fife to improve access for everyone.
If you would like to take part in the survey or interested in sharing it with someone you know, please click here:
Looking to learn more? Let us know by getting in touch with us at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834 or write to us at Fife Centre for Equalities, New Volunteer House, 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy KY1 1XT.
Fife Equalities Forum
A note to say that our next Fife Equalities Forum will be in-person! It is taking place on Tue 10 Dec 2024 from 14:00 as part of our Winter Equalities Fair. Join us at the Rothes Halls and share your organisational updates, barriers to access and more.
If you're interested in attending our Forum and joining the network, please don't hesitate to get in touch! Contact us using info@centreforequalities.org.uk, call 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
Black History Month 2024 Follow-up: AYT Foods Celebrates One Year
At our October Get-Together, where we celebrated Black History Month 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming AYT Foods, Fife's first Afro-Caribbean grocery store and foodbank. To celebrate, their first anniversary they will be hosting a celebration of their own this month!
See below for an excerpt from their press release, to access the full release click here:
Gratitude and Appreciation
AYT Foods extends its heartfelt thanks to its customers, volunteers, team, partners and the Scottish Government for their support, trust and encouragement. This remarkable first year would not have been possible without the collective contributions of everyone who believed in the vision of AYT Foods.
Join the Celebration
The first-anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, 14 December 2024, at Abbeyview Community Hub, Dunfermline (KY11 4HA), from 5 PM to 10 PM. With a theme of “Celebrating Culture, Community, and Growth”, the event will include traditional games, cultural highlights, and opportunities to reflect on the past year while looking forward to an exciting future.
For more information, visit www.aytfoods.com or contact us:
Email: info@aytfoods.com
Phone: 07384717175
FCE Companion Support
Our Companion Support volunteers are crucial in supporting our Get-Togethers and maintaining our relationships with our clients.
If you have an interest in bringing people together, making new connections and reducing social isolation, this may be the opportunity for you!
If you'd be interested in volunteering with us, please contact maria@centreforequalities.org.uk, call us on 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
16 Days of Activism - Open Survey
As part of our work with the Fife Violence Against Women Partnership, we have developed a really short survey to learn more about how safe you feel in your communities, how you feel social media can influence combatting violence against women and your aspirations for the future.
If you have a spare 2 minutes to take part that'd be fantastic!
Our Partners' News and Events
Fife International Forum - International Migrants Day Fair
Fife International Forum will be hosting an information fair as part of this year's International Migrants Day!
It is taking place on Wed 18 Dec 2024 from 11:00 to 14:00 at the Mercat Shopping Centre in Kirkcaldy.
It's a great opportunity to learn more about some of the support that is available to you.
For more information please contact info@fifeinternational.uk or call 01592 642927.
Launch of AdRESS - CRER
Advocacy for Race Equality in Schools Scotland (AdRESS) is a brand-new service that will be advocating for parents and carers who have a child that has experienced racially motivated bullying and racist incidents at school. Hosted and created by CRER, AdRESS will support parents and carers actively listen to their concerns, advocate and give advice.
This is the first of its kind in Scotland.
CRER’s completed its third investigation into racism in schools and how schools deal with incidents in 2022, this found that in 2020/21, there were 1,198 recorded incidents of racism. Investigation also found that in 2020/21, 83% of schools across Scotland had failed to record racially motivated bullying incidents.
AdRESS can be contacted by phone on 0330 122 4600, email at support@adresscotland.org and on our website www.AdRESScotland.org
Our website also has information on your rights, and resources to help with reporting racist incidents to the school or raising a complaint.
We’d love if you could follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/AdRESScotland
Twitter/X: @AdRESScotland
Instagram: @AdRESScotland
Marie Curie - Companion Service
The Companion service is designed to support adults in the community who are living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.
What’s the Companion Service All About?
Our Companion Service pairs trained befriender volunteers with those who could use a little extra support. These compassionate volunteers offer companionship, emotional support, and practical assistance. Whether it’s a friendly chat, help with errands, or collecting medications, our volunteers are available from 9 am to 9 pm, every single day of the year.
Who Can Benefit?
Individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness and a 12-month prognosis or Carers supporting someone in a similar position.
The difference our support can make:
Companionship: A friendly visit can help to combat loneliness and isolation.
Support to live well: We empower individuals to engage in activities that matter to them.
Support for Carers: Caring for a loved one can be difficult, and we can offer short respite sessions for carers.
For more information, please contact sara.murray@mariecurie.org.uk or call 0800 304 7692.
Welcome to our Winter Garden - Greener Kirkcaldy
Greener Kirkcaldy would love to invite you to our FREE Welcome to our winter garden - Greener Kirkcaldy event, Saturday 7th Dec, 1-3pm
Join us and coorie doon for a cosy afternoon event in our Community training garden at Ravenscraig Walled Garden.
There will be warm drinks and biscuits, a reindeer trail and willow wreath making.
Our volunteers and staff will also be on hand to tell you about our garden and all its seasons.
Please note that parking is restricted at the gardens due to building works taking place at the entrance. Please car share and use public transport if you can.
The event is free but booking is required, please click here to register.
Consultations to look out for
You Decide Kirkcaldy - Bright Ideas Application:
Do you have an idea for a local project/initiative or event designed to improve and/or benefit communities across the Kirkcaldy area?
If so, we would like to hear from you so we can help make it happen, with funding available for projects ranging from £500 to £15,000.
Through the YOU DECIDE process, individuals and groups can submit their bright ideas for funding and the people of the Kirkcaldy area will decide which projects they’d like to fund at a public voting event or online.
This kind of funding scheme is called Participatory Budgeting and it means local people decide how public funds are used in their area.
The total funding pot is £300,000 across the Kirkcaldy area.
There is a short and simple form to fill out for your idea.
Individuals and groups can apply (you do not need to be a constituted group, as we have a sponsor system)
There will be a final celebration event bringing together all projects.
Project criteria
Safe
Legal
Feasible within the timeframe and budget
Must happen within the Kirkcaldy area and benefit local area residents
Attend the celebration event
For more infomation on the criteria, please visit our website FAQ section at: our.fife.scot/youdecide/kirkcaldyPaton Street Greenspace Consultation:
Kelty Local Walking Action Plan:
Fife Council in partnership with Planning Aid Scotland are looking to hear the views and thoughts of anyone who lives and walks in and around Kelty.
Whether you walk because you enjoy it, for health reason, or simply to walk your dog, your experience will help Planning Aid Scotland’s Paths for All create a walking action plan for the area.
You can also join Kelty’s Walks and Talks group and Planning Aid Scotland on a community walk and wreath making session where you can share your thoughts and ask any questions you may have about the plans. This will take place on Monday 9 December from 1.15pm at Kelty Community Centre and everyone is welcome!
Cullaloe View, Cowdenbeath - Play Area:
Cullaloe View, Cowdenbeath Play Area has been identified for investment and Fife Council want you to have your say on the play equipment so they can be sure there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Future of Foster Care Consultation:
This consultation sets out a vision for the future of foster care which prioritises children’s experiences, and meets their many and varied needs, in a changing sector and society. It proposes a new flexible fostering approach that builds on the unique skills and qualities of foster carers, the good practice and innovation already happening across Scotland and the UK, and it is underpinned by comprehensive ongoing support for foster carers.
The Scottish Government are looking for your views and experiences to help shape this piece of work and the future of care.
To view the consultation and share your views, please click here.
Staying Safe and Keeping Connected
The winter season can be especially tough for some. Fife Adult Support and Protection have released their Staying Safe and Keeping Well booklet, which has a wide range of different support available for anyone looking for a little helping hand.
Are you concerned about someone who may be at risk of harm or neglect?
Call the Fife Adult Protection Phone Line on 01383 602200 or in an emergency call 999.
If you have concerns about a child, call Social Work on 03451 55 15 03 or Police 101.
Funding
If you are interested in finding out more about the funding available to your organisation, please make use of the local and national resources below:
Fife Council: Fife Council Funding Portal
Fife Voluntary Action: Funding and Finance
SCVO: Funding Scotland
If you are looking to share funding opportunities that may benefit local community groups and organisations that cover the different protected characteristics, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834.
Get in touch
Do you have any concerns that you would like to share? Or just looking for a chat? Get in touch!
Email us at: info@centreforequalities.org.uk
Call us on: 01592 645310
Text us using: 07800 005834
Or even write to us: New Volunteer House, 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy KY1 1XT
Comments