Consultation process

We held an open day on Sunday the 15th of February 2009 with the Asian Community to ask them how Unity Cornwall could best meet their needs and to support them to access services. 15 families, 60 adults and children, attended from Truro Newquay and Penzance amongst some of the areas in Cornwall. The day gave them an opportunity to discuss as a group with other Asian and Muslim people the obstacles they face living in Cornwall. Apart from the social isolation particularly experienced, amongst the women they felt that not accessing learning to English as a second language meant that they found it difficult to integrate and understand all the services that they could access in their community. The meeting offered families a route to sign up for future support. This form of consultation was very informal to develop trust and to provide a genuine pathway for engagement. It was strongly expressed verbally by the women that they wanted a space to socialise access services as a group and to strengthen their English skills. The Men at the meeting showed their confidence and support, which is culturally imperative for the women to attend.

Workshop Structures

The workshops will focus on Personal Development, Education, Training, Volunteering, and exploring health issues. There will be 2 workshops per week held at ........ Children Centre at ........ ........... School: TO OBTAIN THE VENUE DETAILS, PLEASE CALL UNITY ON 01872 264232 or GO TO THE MEMBERS AREA.

YOUTH FORUM & CONSULTATION

WORKSHOP EVENTS - DANCE, FILM & DVD PRODUCTION & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES.

Unity Cornwall's aim is to support cultural activities through advice, information and advocacy. A youth forum has been created for young people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, who live and study in Cornwall. The youth forum decides on the subject material for each get together.

As well as creating fun activities, Unity Cornwall encourages the Forum to have open and honest discussions, within a safe and nurturing environment. Topic discussed include the cultural and social inequalities which might have a direct impact on the lives of young people. The Forum is encouraged to have a voice and to share its concerns and experiences about living and growing up in Cornwall. These concerns are discussed at the highest level of Unitys' partnership work with external agencies.

Unity Cornwall believes that young people should have a say concerning the issues that affect their lives. In enabling young people to express their opinions and ideas, we can help create better understandings between all community members. It is important that we listen to our young people - they are our future.

A mentoring programme was created to encourage young people to make informed decisions about their future career and education. Through our programme of support, young people are also encouraged to build on their aspirations, to map new pathways, to develop new skills through learning and to enjoy a sense of personal achievement.

We welcome you to join us.

Below is some footage of the our dance and film production workshops. The interview question were formed by the young people themselves and they speak frankly about their experiences in Cornwall. This DVD was based on research that came before.  The 'No Problem In Cornwall - Anti-Racism Project' (written by: Mandeep Sandhu) has been widely circulated to statutory and voluntary agencies.  Much more recently, the report was distributed to all Cornwall Council Membership after the Director of Unity Cornwall was invited to talk to the children, young people and families, education, overview & scrutiny committee.  It was an opportunity for us to share our concerns and ideas to help develop the Cornwall Children's Services Improvement Plan March 2010.  The Plan was then sent by Councillor Alec Robertson, Leader of the Council to the Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Minister of State for Children, Schools and families.