Equalities Monthly - March 2025!
- Mar 5
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 8
Hello world!
Welcome to the March 2025 release of our Equalities Monthly newsletter!
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 Wed 12 Feb 2025, the Fife Equalities Forum came together to discuss the latest developments and possible opportunities for collaboration.
We have continued to meet with groups and individuals across Fife to learn more about their communities, as part of our Let's Chat Equality - Fife programme!
We were hosting a stall at the Deaf Communication Service and ONFife's BSL Culture Day on 01 Mar!
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:
International Women's Day - 08 Mar: Recognising the huge contributions made by women throughout history, and raising awareness of the barriers and injustices faced by women and girls across the world.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia - 15 Mar: Raising awareness of islamophobia and encouraging global action to eradicate hate.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21 Mar: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial of Discrimination (ICERD)”.
World Down Syndrome Day - 21 Mar: A global effort to combat the stereotypes faced by those with down syndrome, as well as bringing attention to the wide range of support available.
Click here to visit our Equality Calendar, and add your own event today.
What's happening at FCE?
Our New Project: Fife Inclusion Network
We’re excited to announce that FCE’s new project Fife Inclusion Network will officially start on 1st April 2025. Fife Centre for Equalities has secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to initiate this new project, a continuation of our previous Minority Ethnic 60+ project, which was also funded by National Lottery Community Fund.
Through the course of the ME60+ project, the team has developed a good understanding of the unique needs and invaluable skills within the local ethnic minority communities. We’re hoping to nurture the bonds we’ve already made and evolve into a stronger network while also expanding the reach of support. We realise how crucial 1-2-1 support has been, in addition to group gatherings where individuals from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds come together in a safe and relaxed environment. Through our Fife Inclusion Network, we’re aiming to continue the existing support, encouraging clients to take ownership of the improvements they would like to see in their locality, and broadening our support to integrate a larger diversity of community groups. The FIN project will help the team build on their existing knowledge of asset-based community development and help nourish relationships within wider groups in Fife.
For our clients, volunteers and also for our wee team, this project is a natural evolution of the ME60+ (Minority Ethnic Older People) initiative we ran in response to the impact of the pandemic on minoritised communities in Fife. Our work now continues on to address isolation, improve access to wider services and nurture a sense of belonging for diverse communities living locally. We see so many examples of good work in inclusion and pockets of welcoming spaces and networks by partners in Fife, the FIN project provides us with dedicated time and resources to help human connections grow and strengthen community.
Interested in getting involved? Contact us using info@centreforequalities.org.uk, call 01592 645310 or text 07800 005834.
New Vacancies at FCE! Fife Inclusion Networks
Job Advertisement
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund till 31 March 2027 2 x Operational Officers (PT - 14hours/week) and 1 x Operational Officer (PT – 14 hours /week) for the new Fife Inclusion Networks Project (FIN)
Fife Centre for Equalities (FCE) is a wee team with big aspirations for equality and inclusion for all communities in Fife. This is a great opportunity to embark in a two-year programme of engaging with people from all communities and localities across Fife. We are seeking suitable candidates who are passionate in engaging under-represented groups and connecting with local organisations as we work to improve links between Minority Ethnic people and the wider community.
You will have experience of experience of engaging with community groups and minority ethnic communities. Being a speaker of additional languages and/or having experience of working with translation and interpretation is desirable. You’ll have either relevant qualifications or training and bring a sound practical knowledge of equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights from a community engagement and casework perspective. You’ll have the skills to organise participants as members of the project and help develop as a mini-steering group.
Specific funding has been secured for the delivery of this exciting initiative and the positions are fixed term until end of 31 April 2027. For an informal discussion on the position, please call Elric Honoré, FCE Chief Executive, on 01592 645310. Please use the forms below and email completed forms to: recruitment@centreforequalities.org.uk.
If you prefer a printed application pack, please telephone FCE on 01592 645 310 for this to be prepared for you.
The pack contains:
Job Advert FIN-OO-OA PT March 2025
2xOperational Officer PT Job Description March 2025
1xOperational Assistant PT Job Description March 2025
Guidance Notes for Application March 2025
FCE-Application-Form-March 2025
Separate/anonymous section of the Application Form: Section J - Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Closing date for applications: Monday 24 March, 9am.
Please note that CVs will not be accepted. Interviews and selection tests will be held on:
Monday 24 March 2025
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Wednesday 26 March 2025
Thursday 27 March 2025
Earliest start date: Tuesday 1st April 2025.
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.
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.
Our Partners' News and Events
Fife Communities Climate Action Network and Fife Climate Hub Gathering:
Fife Communities Climate Action Network (FCCAN) and Fife Climate Hub annual Gathering is coming up soon! See more information below: The theme for the Gathering is “Resilience” so we would love it if you could join us to help celebrate community climate action in Fife, and look to a more resilient future.
When and where is the event?
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 10am-3.15pm at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, 1-7 Abbot Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NL
The programme includes:
an update on our members activities and a chance to shape future plans for Fife Climate Hub
a key speaker talk outlining work on extreme weather resilience through Climate Ready South East Scotland
a chance to quiz an expert panel on key aspects of climate resilience from flood to food to wellbeing
a community climate action marketplace
a community art installation exploring the idea of resilience by ArtMovesFife
plenty of time for networking and a lovely lunch by The Granary Café at the Galleries
Let’s come together to celebrate, reflect, and inspire each other for a resilient future.
Who is the keynote speaker?
Cat Payne Senior Climate Resilience Manager with Verture (formerly known as SNIFFER). Cat has spent over 20 years working in the private, public and third sector translating climate science into meaningful messages to inspire local action. She is passionate about challenging the status quo, transformational adaptation and showcasing the multiple co-benefits that climate resilience can bring.
Cat will share the outcomes from Climate Ready South East Scotland a project that Fife Climate Hub has been working on this year, gathering extreme weather stories from Fifers. You may have shared yours with us. We gathered over 100 stories about flooding, storms and drought. Find out what happened to your story and how the Scottish Government plan to use it.
Our panel
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of experts and climate action partners on what their organisations already do to empower communities to take action on the climate emergency, as well as their future plans. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
The discussion will be chaired by Alistair Macleod, FCCAN Board Director and Project Manager, Transition University St Andrews. The panel includes:
Flood Resilience: Cat Payne, Senior Climate Resilience Manager, Verture
Natures resilience: Lyle Boyle, Seagrass Officer at The Ecology Centre
Food resilience: Caroline Bell, Food4Fife at Fife Council
Energy resilience: Dr Crispin Hayes, FCCAN Director & Sustainable Cupar
Human resilience: Katherine Ellsworth-Krebbs, Climate Coach and Sustainability Researcher
Transport resilience: (To Be Confirmed)
Fife Community Climate Grants Showcase
During the gathering several community groups will share with us what climate action activities and projects they’ve undertaken as a result of receiving a Community Climate Grant.
Climate Action Marketplace!
As a member of FCCAN, we would like to invite you to have a ‘marketplace stall’ at the Gathering, to share with others the great work you do in your community. Browsing of the stalls will take place mainly during the lunch break at about 12.15pm, unless you are an early bird, and you’re all set up for visitors to your stall during the pre-event refreshments!
Please contact us on info@fccan.org.uk if you wish to have a stall at the event or would like more information. Space is limited so it will be a case of first come, first serve.
Booking information
The Gathering is open to any Fife-based community groups or individuals who wish to celebrate and hear about climate action across Fife. The event is free to attend but spaces are limited, so booking is required via this booking link.
If you have any problems booking, please email info@fccan.org.uk.
Proposals for Reconfiguration of Minor Injuries Units in North East Fife:
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership continues to modernise and transform health and social care services, to ensure services are safe, effective and person centred.
Proposals for reconfiguration of Minor Injuries care units in North East Fife are being considered due to known risks to sustainability of services within the current model.
These are predominantly sustainability of our workforce, access to radiology (which most patients attending MIU require), deliver of care in the right place at the right time and also delivery of best value in line with resources available to us.
As part of this work, a clinically led options appraisal process was carried out for the Minor Injuries Care Service at the Adamson Hospital in Cupar and the St Andrews Community Hospital. This looked at ways in which the Health and Social Care Partnership can optimise patient care and ensure resilience of the service for the future.
Option Appraisal
The clinically led options appraisal process identified three options for the future of Minor Injuries Care Services in North East Fife.
The clinically preferred model chosen from that process was the proposal to relocate Minor Injuries services currently delivered at Adamson Hospital in Cupar into one single Minor Injury Unit based at St Andrews Community Hospital.
This recommendation was guided by medical research, expert clinical opinion, and best practice guidelines to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of patient care.
By optimising services through this proposal, the aim is to help improve clinical outcomes, service user experience, make better use of resources, and provide a more sustainable model for the future.
Giving the community the chance to share their views
We want to engage with the local community and ask them to share their views via an online survey about the clinically preferred model being considered.
This survey will share the options considered in the appraisal and allow us to capture feedback on what this option might mean for people in the community.
We would be grateful if you could please share this consultation as widely as possible within your networks that are within North East Fife, particularly Cupar and surrounding areas, to make sure that as many people as possible get the opportunity to complete our short survey and share with us what they think.
Those who wish to complete the survey should do so by Sunday 30 March 2025 by clicking this link Reconfiguration of Minor Injuries Units in North East Fife.
Anyone who requires this information in an alternative format can let us know by contacting HSCP.ParticipationEngagement@Fife.gov.uk.
Faithful - Free Spaces for Groups:
Shared with us by Interfaith Scotland:
Faithful is an organisation that co-ordinates free spaces for groups to use for prayer and worship throughout the UK.
They are keen to work with faith and interfaith groups from across Fife and beyond.
For more information please visit their website here.
Fife Contemporary - Hag Exhibition:
Fife Contemporary are pleased to announce Hag. Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft, an upcoming exhibition challenging perceptions of women and craft open at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries from 8 March to 8 June 2025.
Hag. Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft will open at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries on 8th March 2025, International Women’s Day.
Free entry, open daily:
Monday – Friday 10am to 5pm (until 6pm Thursdays)
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 12 – 4pm
Provocatively titled but thoughtfully curated, Hag. will bring together the work of 13 of Scotland’s most inventive, creative and impactful women craft artists, including Lise Bech, Judith Davies, Caroline Dear, Claire Heminsley, Fiona Hutchison, Ruth Elizabeth Jones, Gilly Langton, Jo McDonald, Susie Redman, Patricia Shone, Carol Sinclair, Amanda Simmons and Emma Louise Wilson. Celebrating the knowledge, power & alchemy mediated by their work, the exhibition will celebrate craft skills and approaches to practice developed by these significant women over decades of work and personal endeavour.
To find out more please visit the Fife Contemporary website here.
Consultations to look out for
Leslie Community Improvements:
The people of Leslie take pride in the Towns natural and built heritage, and rightly so! Improving the appearance and access to these places and spaces could improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of residents.
Improve the overall appearance of open spaces and celebrate unique features helping to encourage increased business and tourism to the Town.
Inveraray Avenue - Play Area:
From Fife Council:
Inverarary Avenue, Glenrothes, Play Area has been identified for investment and we want you to have your say on the play equipment so we can be sure there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Proposal to rezone the catchment areas of Kirkcaldy West and Dunnikier Primary Schools:
From Fife Council:
On 9 January 2025, the Cabinet Committee of Fife Council authorised the Education Directorate to undertake a statutory consultation in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 on the proposal to rezone the catchment areas of Kirkcaldy West and Dunnikier Primary Schools from Friday 4 July 2025.
Cowdenbeath Area Transport Plan:
We would like your views on transport in and around the Cowdenbeath area to help shape the Cowdenbeath Area Transport Plan.
The purpose of this consultation is to allow the community to feed into the development of an Action Plan for improving travel and connectivity in your area.
Area Transport Plans are designed to support fair and sustainable access for all to everyday activities by walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport or other vehicles. There is supporting information with this questionnaire that explains the community input from groups and residents so far that has helped identify transport problems in the area.
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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