WHAT DO WE DO?

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council started life as Redbridge Racial Equality Council in 1968. We have now changed our name in order to reflect the fact that we have expanded our remit to deal with a wider range of equalities issues, although responding to racial and religious harassment and discrimination still remain at the core of our work.

MYTH-BUSTING PACKS

We are committed to producing a series of “Myth-busting” packs and currently have available packs on:

• Immigration
• Travellers
• Islamaphobia

We are in the process of adding a power point presentation to these packs. The packs are available free of charge on request, but we would appreciate a donation to cover our costs and postage if possible. Please contact us for further information.
ANTI-RACIST EDUCATION FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

We have a programme of anti-racist education which we can deliver to schools and colleges. We have already delivered this in a number of schools in the Borough of Redbridge but would welcome the opportunity to come and speak at assemblies, classes or tutorials in other schools, colleges or youth clubs. Of course, since the school population changes every year we would also like to return to schools we have been to before as well.

DVD

We have produced a DVD, “The Rise and Fall of Racism” which is an educational tool that can be viewed on its own or used in conjunction with a questionnaire in schools, youth clubs and community centres. This DVD is an excellent resource that will initiate debate and help participants to look at strategies to overcome racism. The project was funded by Redbridge Safer Communities Partnership from the Safer Stronger Community Fund.

HATE CRIME HOTLINE

We run a hotline to offer support to victims of hate crime. Currently available up until midnight, we are seeking funding in order to run a 24-hour service. We run the service with the help of volunteers for whom we are able to provide training. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer or would like to find out more.

HOTSPOTTING

We offer intensive support in areas where people are suffering from any form of harassment by helping to bring the community together and liaising with police. We are available to listen to those suffering from harassment and we encourage and support them to report incidents when they have been the victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.

MONITORING OF HATE CRIME

Along with the local authority and the police we play an important part in the monitoring of hate crime and in ensuring that statutory authorities respond effectively to these offences when they are reported. We also take part in third-party reporting.

COMMUNITY COHESION

We played a major role in setting up the Community Cohesion Conference held at Ilford Town Hall last year and we continue to play an important role within the life of the London Borough of Redbridge and the surrounding locality. We continue to undertake vital work in the London Borough of Havering in supporting the victims of hate crime and harassment. We liaise regularly with a large number of community groups in the area and help to disseminate information to vulnerable and isolated communities. We continue to strive to offer an effective and supportive service to all the residents of the London Borough of Redbridge and the surrounding areas.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

We are seeking funding to:

• continue to offer support to the victims of hate crime and harassment
• expand our publication of myth-busting packs
• provide anti-racism classes to all local schools, colleges and youth clubs
• provide advice and support in cases of discrimination at work and in access to services
• expand our existing hate crime hotline to offer a 24 hour service

SPEAKERS

We are happy to offer speakers to talk about our work to your club or organisation