Equalities Monthly - January 2025!
- Feb 4
- 6 min read
Hello world!
Welcome to the January 2025 release of our Equalities Monthly newsletter! We hope you have had a peaceful festive season and a great New Year.
We will be kickstarting this year by 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 10 Dec 2024, we were at the Rothes Halls hosting our Winter Equalities Fair! A big thank you to all of the organisations who attended and shared information and support.
On Tue 17 Dec 2024 the FCE staff and volunteers team came together to celebrate the year with a festive lunch.
We were sharing some of our work at Fife International Forum's International Migrants Day informational event on Wed 18 Dec 2024!
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:
World Braille Day - 04 Jan: World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
International Day of Education - 24 Jan: The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.
International Day of Commemoration in memory of victims of the Holocaust - 27 Jan: The UN General Assembly designated 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust – observed with ceremonies and activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at United Nations offices around the world.
World Interfaith Harmony Week - 1 to 7 Feb: A day to raise awareness on how mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.
Click here to visit our Equality Calendar, and add your own event today.
What's happening at FCE?
Updates to FCE's Working Patterns
Hi everyone - just to keep you all in the loop, 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.
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.
We'd love to chat with you! You can provide feedback using the form below, meeting us for a one-to-one interview or we can visit your group or organisation! Let us know what works best for you:
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
The next Fife Equalities Forum will be taking place on Wed 12 Feb from 14:00! Join equalities organisations from across Fife as we discuss their latest project updates, opportunities to collaborate 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.
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.
Our Partners' News and Events
LEAD Scotland - Volunteer as a Befriender today:
LEAD Scotland are currently on the lookout for anyone interested in volunteering as an adult befriender! It's a great opportunity to learn new skills, make new connections and reduce social isolation across Fife.
For more information please contact fifeadultbefriending@lead.org.uk.
Step On Personal Development Programme:
Step On is a personal development programme aimed at 16-19 year olds, participants will work on their own development, improving mental health and wellbeing and gaining key employability skills.
Interested in getting involved? Contact LinkLiving by calling 01324 466860 or emailing lareception@linkgroup.org.uk.
Scottish Refugee Council - Refugee Festival Scotland Funding:
This year’s festival will run from 13 – 22 June and the theme is MILESTONES. We are presenting a special anniversary edition, marking 25 years of Refugee Festival Scotland, Scottish Refugee Council’s 40th, and inviting celebrations of milestones and cultural richness in communities across Scotland. Everyone is welcome to take part!
We have two funding opportunities available to help grassroots groups, organisations and artists run events: Small Grants and Arts Open. Both are open for applications until 25 February, noon.
For more information, visit the Refugee Festival Scotland website here.
Voluntary Sector Children's Services Forum:
The Voluntary Sector Children‘s Services Forum (VSCSF) is open to any staff member, board member or volunteer working in the third sector with children, young people and families.
The Forum meets regularly to provide updates, networking opportunities, problem solve, respond to consultations, raise concerns for representatives/FVA to progress and to get updates from FVA and representatives about what's happening at the many partnerships, networks and groups across the Children's Services Partnership in Fife and beyond.
To find out more please contact mark@fva.org, call 01592 760727 or visit the FVA website here.
Consultations to look out for
Fife Council Rent Consultation 25-26:
Elected Members have asked the Housing Service to consult with tenants on rent options for 2025/26. We would like to hear your views on the rent options and which services you’d like to see potential additional investment in.
The rent survey closes on Friday 31st January 2025. The final decision on rent options will be taken by the Council in February 2025.
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.
Polling Place Review - Fife Council:
Fife Council are looking for your views and experiences when it comes to polling places, and their connected polling districts.
It's a great opportunity to shape the future of the voting process in Fife, making it more accessible for all.
Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy:
The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy will help public bodies in Scotland to make equality and human rights better in everything they do.
It aims to frame and clearly articulate the approach to mainstreaming in Scotland and provide the foundation to ensure mainstreaming is a core Government and wider public sector function and responsibility.
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
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