|
The Chinese and Bangladeshi communities have been given an insight into the services they can tap into within Gloucestershire thanks to a series of free courses. The participants on the Chinese and British and Bengali and British programmes will now be presented with their certificates by the Mayor of Gloucester, Norman Ravenhill, tomorrow (Friday, July 25) at the Barton and Community Trust Centre, Barton Street, Gloucester at 11.45am.  The programmes were organised in an attempt to better inform the black and minority ethnic population of the services available to them. This was felt to be particularly important due to the increasing numbers of older people in every community. The Chinese and British programme was funded by the Barton and Tredworth Community Trust (Adult Education budget) with support from Gloucestershire County Council, whose Community Development and Support Team organised the sessions. Councillor Tony Hicks, Gloucestershire County Council's Lead Cabinet member for Community and Adult Care, said: "It is extremely important that we make all of our communities aware of what services and support are available to them and how they can access them, particularly older people, who are likely to be more vulnerable and need that help more than others." Haroon Kadodia, Team Manager, Community and Adult Care, said: "It is important for social care service providers, community health providers and other relevant organisations to ensure their services are accessible and appropriate. "The needs of black and minority ethnic people have often been neglected or marginalised. The myth of these communities 'looking after their own' to some degree still prevails. "However, families and carers are increasingly seeking appropriate help or at least starting to talk more about their need. "The Chinese and British and Bengali and British programmes allow participants to be better informed of services, ask questions of service providers and raise any concerns and possibly influence services to be more sensitive, and responsive to needs." Both programmes were well attended and participants have requested follow up sessions with some of the service providers and information about other services. The Chinese and British programme was split into six sessions, the first from the county council's Community and Adult Care directorate, and the others focusing on health, fire safety, community policing, housing and will writing. Women from the Bangladeshi community took part in the Bengali and British programme, which was targeted at the working age group. A crèche facility was provided. The participants covered similar topics to the Chinese & British programme but included Children's Education, Work Prospects via Adult Education and a talk by a local Asian GP. This initiative was organised by Bangladeshi Women's Group, Barton and Tredworth Community Trust, the county council's Community Development and Support Team and Community Counts, who funded the project. Sonia Friend, County Councillor for Barton, said: "The Barton and Tredworth Trust Centre is an excellent resource for the community and continues to provide a link for local people and the services that are important to them." The Barton Trust Centre has now been successful in securing three more British courses funded by Adult Education. http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ |
