To Mansfield this afternoon, where the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) has been invited to take part in "Happiness Is Vital", an event organised by disability nottinghamshire. An assortment of local VCS groups and public sector officers working with people who have HIV/Aids are getting together to consider their present circumstances and future prospects. There are four workshops on offer, facilitated by the people described below in their own pen portraits (including myself):
HIV and Human Rights
Julie Musonda
Julie works for Leicestershire AIDS Support Services (LASS) as Social Enterprise and Development Worker. LASS is an independent voluntary organisation that was set up to provide a range of services for people in the city of Leicester, Leciestershire and Rutland, affected by HIV/Aids. Julie also founded the self help user led organisation LhivE, positive people helping one another empower each other to live their life to its fulfilment.
Stigma and Discrimination
Matthew Gregory
Matthew works for the Terrence Higgins Trust as the Health and Treatment Worker. THT is a national organisation working in the field of HIV and Aids. In Nottingham, they are involved in sexual health and HIV awareness, HIV testing, education, promotion and more.
User Led Organisations
Simon Bernacki
Simon currently works as the User Led Organisation (ULO) Development Officer for Disability Nottinghamshire. He's here to share his knowledge of the ways in which organisations can engage with their members to develop strong, clear visions of what is needed. He has experience of marketing, communications, events, fundraising, grants, project development, volunteers, policy, strategy and brewing a good cuppa! Come along for an informal discussion and to share good practice about any of the points above.
Equality, Diversity and the Equality Act 2010
George M Ballentyne
George works as the Equality and Diversity Officer for Leicester Council of Faiths, one of the Core Partners of the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP). While George's specialist area has to do with religion and belief, he is well-versed in the many "Protected Characterisitics" described in the Equality Act 2010 and has given seminars, talks and discussions on behalf of REDP across the East Midlands and further afield.
After the workshops, the facilitators sit on a panel, taking questions from the floor. I'm glad I'm able to contribute something about the kind of support that REDP can offer, specifically metnioning the Funding Advice Network that we heard Jonny Gutteridge speak about at our Core Reference Group meeting earlier this week.
In the main hall, there's a marketplace display of various relevant agencies, groups and organisations, including:
- Mansfield Community & Voluntary Service
- North Notts Positive Links Support Network
- Nottinghamshire Advice Network
- Tagadere
- Terrence Higgins Trust
There's plenty of tasty Caribbean food dished up at 1700 and an hour later there's an After Party, with live music from double MOBO award-nominated singer-songwriter, Freddi Kofi. Courtney has been bigging up Freddi all afternoon and I'd love to stay and hear him but, based on my experiences getting here, I don't want to take any chances getting that train back to Leicester.
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