Equalities Monthly - June 2025!
- Jun 10
- 10 min read
Hello world!
Welcome to the June 2025 release of our Equalities Monthly newsletter!
We've got lots of exciting updates to share with you all, from our new project announcements to all the latest partners news and consultations, have a read and find out more.
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?
The Fife Equalities Forum came together on Wed 14 May 2025 to discuss the latest equalities goings-on and partners' updates.
The Common Grounds Network has been working on developing the designs for the Beveridge Park Peace Garden.
On Tue 27 May 2025 our Fife Inclusion Network members came together to discuss mental health and wellbeing!
Also on the 27 May, the Common Grounds Network were joined by Interfaith Scotland for a conversation café exploring religious diets and fasting practices.
As always, we have published a range of exciting new events and consultations on our Equality Calendar! Keep posted for more.
What's happening at FCE?
Let's Chat - Equality in Fife
What are your experiences of living in Fife? Do you feel that you are able to get the support or advice you need?
Our Let's Chat service hopes to learn more about your views on services across Fife, what is working well about them and what may need extra improvements.
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:
Let's Chat Equality - Fife: Ongoing Survey
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 Inclusion Network
Our theme for this month is ‘Share Your Cultural Food’, join us for a relaxing cuppa and chat and bring your favourite traditional food to share if you can.
Our get-together is a fantastic opportunity to meet each other and continue strengthening inclusion across Fife, and having a chat about getting involved in developing the FIN network steering group and help in planning and give ideas for future get-togethers.
Our next Get-Together will be taking place on Tue 17 Jun 2025, from 12:00 to 14:00 at Exit Community Centre, 8 Culzean Pl, Glenrothes KY7 4RX, UK.
To register your place, please click here!
Interested in getting involved? Contact us using info@centreforequalities.org.uk, call 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
FCE's Summer Get-Together 2025!
Once again, we're excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual Summer Get-Together! Taking place on Wed 16 Jul 2025, from 10:00 to 16:00 at Kirkcaldy Rugby Club Pavillion, Balwearie Rd, Kirkcaldy KY2 5LT, we will be bringing together organisations, groups and individuals from across Fife and beyond to discuss the "Common Grounds" approach to working.
To register your free place, please click here.
It's a good chance to make new connections, and learn more about what's happening in the Fife area!
The focus for this year's gathering will be community safety, the exciting redesign of the Beveridge Park Peace Garden and bringing together people from all backgrounds as part of the Common Grounds Network.
There will also be an engaging workshop in the afternoon looking at community mediation, integration and bringing people together safely.
If you are interested in coming along, or looking for a bit more information, contact at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, call 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
Fife Equalities Forum
The next Fife Equalities Forum will be taking place on Wed 11 June 2025 from 14:00! The Forum is a great opportunity to learn more about the different groups and organisations working in Fife, the barriers they are facing and how we can work together to improve things for everyone.
Interested in attending? Get in touch. Contact us at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834
Fife Common Grounds Network
As mentioned last month, we were successful in our funding bid, as part of the Kirkcaldy Decides programme, to restore the Beveridge Park Peace Garden! We will receive £15,000 to put towards the planning, design and work on restoring the garden as a space to meet and connect with the diverse communities of Fife.
We are currently looking for your input on what you would like to see the garden used for, any ideas for potential upgrades or restorations would be much appreciated!
We would love to collaborate with you to refresh the garden and make it a great space to come together and reflect.
If there are any inputs you would like to share, please contact us at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834
FCE Companion Support - 30 Days of Kindness
Introducing our Bi-Monthly Wellbeing Challenges. Small changes, big difference.
We’re excited to launch a series of bi-monthly challenges focused on supporting positive mental health and personal wellbeing, all designed to be simple, meaningful, and suitable for everyone to take part in.
These challenges are spread out across the year and each one has a different focus, from kindness and mindfulness to self-care and creativity. The aim is to offer small, achievable actions that help us feel more connected, calm, and uplifted in everyday life, all while helping improve our mental health and wellbeing.
We’re kicking things off in June with our first challenge:
30 Days of Kindness.
As June starts with Volunteers Week, we thought it would be nice to focus on kindness and supporting others. Each day in June, we’re inviting you to do one small act of kindness: a compliment, a helping hand, or simply a kind message. It’s a lovely way to brighten someone’s day (and your own).
From there, we’ll be launching a new challenge regularly, each one tailored to the time of year. From spending mindful time outdoors, to daily self-care moments during busy periods, to trying something new in spring, there’s something for everyone.
Keep an eye on our newsletter and social channels for the latest updates. And if you know someone who could use a little lift, feel free to share it with them too.
You can join every challenge or dip in occasionally, take part in whatever way suits you best.
If you'd be interested in volunteering with us, please contact maria@centreforequalities.org.uk, call us on 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
Joining our Board
We are recruiting suitably skilled people to join the Board to help deliver our vision and mission.
If you are passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice, then this could be the volunteering role you’ve been looking for.
Applicants should have a passion and commitment to build a collective voice to champion equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice, along with the ability to provide strong governance and direction to ensure the delivery of our objectives.
These Trustee positions are voluntary, however, out-of-pocket expenses will be met.
For more information, please contact Elric Honoré, Chief Executive, elric@centreforequalities.org.uk or 01592 645 310.
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:
Pride Month 2025 - Jun: Celebrating the massive contributions made by LGBT+ communities, and discussing the barriers and challenges they currently face.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - 15 Jun: Raising awareness of the abuse older people face and having their needs addressed in times of crisis.
International Day for Countering Hate Speech - 18 Jun: A global effort to mobilise the elimination of hate speech across society, this year is focused on how AI enables and can help assist in reducing hate speech.
World Refugee Day - 20 Jun: A day of solidarity for those forced to leave their country due to war or persecution.
Click here to visit our Equality Calendar, and add your own event today.
Our Partners' News and Events
Honour-based Violence Information Session
Free and open to everyone - staff, volunteers and members of the public - this session will raise awareness and understanding of honour based abuse, including domestic abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation and will emphasise the local support available in Fife.
Speakers:
• Pragna Patel, founding member of Project Resist - an independent strategic advocacy and policy organisation focussing on the needs of black and minority women.
This presentation will explore community and state responses to Honour Based Abuse over the last forty years.
• Dr Elaine McLaughlin, Operations Manager, Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid A presentation reporting upon the findings of the following research: Honour-Based Abuse in Scotland: Evidence and pathways to strengthen protection for victims.
• Sarah Jack, Drummond Miller LLP A legal perspective on No recourse to Public Funds and Access to the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC).
• Sweety Sharma, Shakti Women’s Aid
A local perspective on the impact of honour based abuse, including a survivor’s lived experience and the local support available.
Book your place:
This session will take place online using Teams on Tue 01 July from 10:00 to 13:00. Please email fvawp@fife.gov.uk to book your place and receive joining instructions.
More information:
If you would like more information about any of these events or the work of FVAWP, please visit www.fife.gov.uk/fvawp or email fvawp@fife.gov.uk
Restoration Fife - June Activities Calendar:
Restoration Fife is a social activities community organisation for people in recovery from substance use. We aim to reduce social isolation for people within that community, give them an opportunity to connect with their peers and assist them in developing and maintaining their recovery. And also much, much more!
You are welcome to drop in with your clients/service users to any of our Breakfast Clubs in order to introduce them to our group, or they can contact us themselves without being formally referred. Alternatively, referrals can be sent to admin@restorationfife.org.uk. Please send some basic contact information and a wee bit of background on the person you are referring, just explaining why you think they would be suitable for our group and detailing any risks you feel we should be aware of. We have a small core staff working different shifts, but we would generally aim to make initial contact within a week.
If you would like to find out more information on our groups, please contact our Community Coordinator Jade Whyte (07501 176234).
Cowdenbeath Recruitment Event:
Department for Work and Pensions will be hosting a recruitment event with local providers in Cowdenbeath on Wednesday 18 June 2025 from 10:00 – 1:30pm at the Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9DD.
Employers Attending Include:
Homes Care Group
Home Instead
Scotrail
Amazon
British Army
Professional Security
Avon
Be Personnel recruiting for MOWI & Grahams Dairies
McQueen’s Dairies
Todd & Duncan
Kettle Produce
Fife Council
Fife Sport and Leisure Trust
Kingdom Homes
For clients interested in attending, please contact your work coach for more details!
Afro-Caribbean Festival Fife 2025
From the Afro-Caribbean Festival Fife 2025: Taking place on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, at Pittencrieff Park (The Glen), Dunfermline, the Afro-Caribbean Festival Fife is a vibrant outdoor festival which focuses on the joyful celebration of African and Caribbean culture, through music, dance, food, arts, and authentic community connection.
It is a great opportunity to celebrate with others, make new meaningful connections and enjoy the summer sun.
Event highlights include:
• Live African and Caribbean music and dance
• Delicious Afro-Caribbean food vendors
• Cultural storytelling and workshops
• A marketplace for Black-owned brands
• Family-friendly activities and entertainment
This is a free-entry, inclusive community event open to all.
You can also find updates via our Instagram: @afrocaribbeanfestfife For more information, please contact temi@aytfoods.com or call 07384 717175.
Saline - Creative Writing Lessons:
Have you always wanted to try your hand at writing?
Join us at Saline Community Centre, 10:00am - 12:00pm on Thursdays from
29th May for 6 weeks to tap into your inner Val McDermid.
No background in writing needed, everyone is welcome.
For more information contact:
Kathleen k.richardson@wea.ac.uk
07443551475
Or, click the link to register:
Consultations to look out for
Early Learning and Childcare Consultation 2025
From Fife Council: Under section 50(1)(a) of the 2014 Act, education authorities must consult with persons who appear to be representative of parents and carers of children under school age in their area about how they should make early learning and childcare available. This consultation must be carried out at least once every 2 years.
Under Section 50(1)(b) of the 2014 Act education authorities must have regard to the views expressed in the consultation and must prepare and publish a plan setting out how they intend to make early learning and childcare available.
Using the results from the consultation the Education Directorate will publish on their webpages an ELC delivery plan for 2025-2027.
To view the consultation and share your views, please click here.
Forth Bridge World Heritage Management Plan Update 2025
From Fife Council:
We are looking for your input into the next Forth Bridge Management plan. This opportunity is for everyone who has an interest in the bridge. You do NOT need to live in Fife to take part.
The Forth Bridge achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2015 by satisfying the following two criteria regarding its Outstanding Universal Value:
Criterion (i): The Forth Bridge is a masterpiece of creative genius because of its distinctive industrial aesthetic, which is the result of a forthright, unadorned display of its massive, functional structural elements.
Criterion (iv): The Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in the evolution of bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel, innovative in its concept, its use of mild steel, and its enormous scale.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites maintain a Management Plan. The Management Plan for the Forth Bridge is now 10 years old and is being reviewed and updated. This questionnaire will help direct the contents and priorities for the updated future Management Plan.
South Fife Supported Bus Services
Local Bus Service contracts in South Fife are due for renewal in August 2026.
Fife Council would like to know your views on current bus service provision with a view to improving services in South Fife.
It is a great opportunity to assist in improving bus services across South Fife.
To learn more, and to contribute towards this consultation, please click here.
Needing assistance when running a consultation, or finding it difficult to take part? Contact us and help make Fife more accessible at info@centreforequalities.org.uk, calling 01592 645310, text on 07800 005834.
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!
Let's Chat Equality - Fife: Let's Chat: Equality in Fife | FCE
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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