This document summarizes the work of Voice4Change England (V4CE), a national organization that aims to strengthen the voice of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) voluntary and community sector. V4CE works to increase the capacity and impact of BME organizations, provide an influential voice, and raise awareness. The document discusses the value of the BME voluntary sector, concerns about recent government policies, and V4CE's efforts to support the sector through engagement, advocacy, and promoting collaboration.

1. Vandna Gohil Director Voice4Change England A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector Equal Right, Equal Voices: A voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector 9th December 2010

2. V4CE’s mission To strengthen the voice of the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector to meet the needs of disadvantaged communities Increasing capacity/ demonstrating impact Providing an authentic, influential voice Raising awareness A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

3. V4CE: What we do Influence Connect Develop On our way to becoming sector champions in environmental sustainability and PQASSO quality marks. A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

4. Communities coming together to self define solutions to problems – the Big Society! Response to failure of mainstream services. Sensitive to cultural, religious and linguistic needs. Engage ‘hard to reach’ communities. Empowering users and strengthening social mobility. Building bridging social capital and creating social cohesion. The BME VCS: why we need to be heard A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

5. “ Equality has become a dirty word because it has come to be associated with the worst aspects of pointless political correctness and social engineering.” H ome Secretary and Minister for Women and Equality Theresa May The coalition Government and equality A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

6. Gillian Guy, Citizen’s Advice : ‘Today’s spending review points to hard times ahead for people that rely on public services’ Bob Reitemeier, Children’s Society : ‘the Children’s Society believes that the poor could become poorer and the disadvantaged more disadvantaged, despite the Government’s well-publicised promises before today’s savage Spending Review that cuts will not hurt the lease well off in society’ Ceri Goddard, Fawcett Society : “the Comprehensive Spending Review, like the previous emergency budget, hits women hardest. It is women who will be the main losers as jobs are cut, public services are rolled back and benefits are slashed’. Mark Goldring, MENCAP : ‘These savings cannot be made by efficiencies and they will impact on services and care for those with disabilities” Helen Longworth, Oxfam UK Poverty : ‘Signs from local authority cuts announced so far are that once again the poorest people in the country are being made to pick up the bill’ The Spending Review and equality A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

7. Putting equality into the Big Society: V4CE fringe events Responding in a time of cuts Engaging young people Working better together Accountability Equality, fairness and the Big Society A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

8. Localism Public service reform Commissioning and Procurement Support services – OCS consultation Compact Other key policies to watch for VCOs A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

9. Collaboration Communication Celebration Shared Vision A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

10. We believe the BME VCS is a crucial part of civil society. We support the BME VCS to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges identified in A shared vision. We call on policymakers to act on the recommendations and commit to disseminating the messages from A shared vision findings through our networks. Website : http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/shared-vision.html Phone: Heather Kennedy on 0207 843 6137 Shared Vision: Pledge your support A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector

11. Contact Email [email_address] Telephone 0207 843 6130 Website http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/ A national voice for the Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector