Plymouth Empowering Communities

Fata He BME Development have been supporting Unity Plymouth in engaging in the 'Empowering Communities' programme led by BSWN, with Creating Excellence via the Department for Communiites and Local Government. We have so far run 2 events, which have attracted BME, young people, women and disabled people from all areas of the city who meet monthly at Plymouth City Council House, and engage with our 2 local MP's, local councillors and invited guests. The meetings are informal, and food is provided free of charge to participants cooked by the Plymouth Kurdish Exile Centre, and the Plymouth Nigerian community.

Fata He are now at the process of enabling participants to elect 3 community champions who will form part of the new Plymouth Third Sector Assembly thus enabling the champions to have a strong voice in engaging with the Plymouth 2020 Local Strategic Partnership.

Chaz Singh a local Sikh, is the first of a number of BME people in the city who has been mentored by local councillors over the past year, and will be standing for a seat in Compton in the upcoming local elections we wish him all the best, support and encouragement in driving forward an equality based democratic process.

Fata He are also looking in the near future to take a number of BME, young people, women and disabled people on a day coach trip to visit the Houses of Parliament. We are currently having discussions with our 2 local MP's Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck regarding security, meeting with ministers etc, so will keep you informed of progress as well as Bristol also taking an interest in attending the event.

Regards

Ossie.