Mullti-culturalism has recently been criticised for celebrating difference while making no difference at all.  All staff are committed to ensuring that a difference is made.

The Community Partnership and Advocacy Project is about working in partnership with black and minority ethnic communities and individuals. 

Priscilla McKnight - Community Development / Training

Tatiana Rehakova - Outreach Officers / Advice

Community Partnership and Advocacy Project    2005-2008

The Community Partnership and Advocacy Project is about working in partnership with black and minority ethnic communities and individuals.  The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Louanne Martin / Priscilla McKnight - Community Development Officers

Louanne and Priscilla work with new and emerging black and minority ethnic groups and individuals.  This is a participant led project, working at the pace that is suitable to the differing groups needs.

Part of the work involves the provision of office space, complete with computer and Internet access.  This is very important for groups as they are starting out so that they can have a base for their work, hold meetings and training.

Support is also available in providing information on funding, setting up and managing an organisation.

Louanne is responsible for a dedicated volunteer and mentoring project.  Volunteers are recruited and inducted.  Roles and responsibilities are drawn up and a mentor assigned.

The Community Partnership and Advocacy Project also works towards generating and promoting ideas and practices to ensure the development of good relations between black and minority ethnic and majority communities.  Information stalls and training/workshop facilitation is available on an ad hoc basis.

Tatiana Rehakova / Nathalie Caleyron - Outreach Officers

• Clients statistics / breakdown for 2006-2007  (PDF, 104K)
• Clients statistics / breakdown for 2007-2008  (Word)

Nathalie and Tatiana work with individuals from Minority Ethnic Communities who need some form of support. Although MCRC is not registered to provide formal advice, they can sign-post people, check out information on their behalf or refer them on when necessary.

While some people will need to be referred to a solicitor or will need support because they have been victims of a racist attack, most come to the office for very practical information and ‘small/ practical’ support: e.g. sending a fax; making a phone in English; correcting a letter; filling in a form; making sure their doctor will use an interpreter, etc

Nathalie and Tatiana can also organise home visits and receives referrals from other agencies (social workers, solicitors, etc)

They have also been working closely with the group of volunteers from the Refugee Action Group organising visits to Immigration Detainees when they were still held in Crumlin Road and Hydebank Prisons (see RAG page – detention sub-group)  to support detainees and their families. They are currently involved in a pilot project to start visiting prisoners from BME background in Maghaberry prison.

The outreach work also includes working in partnership with local majority communities to combat racist attitudes and develop anti racism strategies.

• Download leaflet for the Outreach work (PDF, 96K)