Case study Organisation: Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education Type of FE provider: College Focus on: Equality and Diversity (Race)
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Developing the East Coast Centre for Diversity Summary of activity An example of how a college has set-up and maintained a diversity centre (through different funding sources) to help promote equality on a regional level.
Background and strategic drive for activity Grimsby Institute’s mission is to be a world-class, customer-focused and dynamic provider of education and skills. Recently, the Institute has had a higher profile in the media for equality and diversity matters and it takes its position as an inclusive organisation very seriously. The North East Lincolnshire area has a very low black and minority ethnic (BME) profile (1.4 per cent of the population in the last census of 2001). In recent years, it has experienced an increase in the numbers of Chinese, Bangladeshi and Indian immigrants, as well as asylum seekers and migrants. In 2006, a report1 found that the region had a high proportion of white British nationals – 97.5 per cent compared to 87 per cent in England as a whole.
North East Lincolnshire Sustainability Report, 2006 http://consult.nelincs.gov.uk/portal/localdevelopmentplans/cs/sareport? pointId=1220953280144
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The Institute has a staff population of almost 1,400, of which five per cent are from an ethnic minority.
Set-up and implementation Against this demographic background, the Institute developed the East Coast Centre for Diversity in 2007. The centre (representing the Institute) works with a number of partners, including the Yorkshire and Humber Learning and Skills Council (LSC), to support their regional equality and diversity action plan. The Institute felt it was important for local issues to be taken forward in partnership with the regional LSC and other organisations. The centre has two full-time members of staff. Its activities include: • delivering its third successive LSC-funded contract to coordinate a regional network that delivers equality and diversity strategies
• securing funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to coordinate delivery of a number of objectives on behalf of the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forum • working in partnership with local agencies on a project researching worklessness among minority communities (funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal framework) • supporting the delivery of the local ‘Communities Together’ group’s activities (a three-year contract) • offering bespoke equality and diversity training to a range of organisations, individuals and groups.
benefitted from being able to display the recent ‘Investors in Diversity’ standard awarded to Grimsby Institute.
Obstacles faced
Next steps
At first, the income needed to sustain the centre depended on the continuation of the LSC-funded network. Now the centre has diversified its income streams and activities, it looks much more likely to continue to flourish.
The centre plans to continue to work on grant-funded projects where available, but to also develop commercial activity. This will increase sustainability and help to offer an even more positive service to the local community.
Impact and achievements
The key to the centre’s continued growth will be to carry on listening to the needs of the community and local organisations, and developing a tailored service for them.
The centre is now being developed as a regional centre of excellence. It offers a range of different services, including training, advice, consultancy and research, across the community, voluntary, public and private sectors. Another part of its remit is to work with existing forums within the region to improve the equality knowledge, skills and ideas of providers. So far this has included: • hosting a diversity photography exhibition • putting on performances of the plays The Challenge and Beautiful Thing at events which showed attendees an alternative way of raising awareness of diversity • an introduction to the benefits and development of the ‘Investors in Diversity’ standard • inviting high profile speakers to talk about work to develop equality and diversity in their organisations • coordinating a high profile Regional Diversity Champions Scheme which is now in its third year • the opportunity to build links and share ideas with representatives from a range of organisations. Recent themes for events have included embedding equality and diversity in the curriculum, cultural awareness, faith and belief, and autism. To maintain the usefulness of its service, the centre listens carefully to feedback from providers, as this will largely dictate the content of events. The centre’s undoubted commitment to promoting equality and diversity has not gone unrecognised. It has won two prestigious Association of College’s Beacon Awards, and, in partnership with the then Department for Education and Skills, it developed a cultural diversity DVD which was distributed nationally. The centre also contributed to research funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund on barriers to employment. It has
Links with other equality areas and legal requirements The centre has been given funding by the EHRC to coordinate North East Lincolnshire’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forum. This has helped the Institute to fulfil its obligations under the current Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, along with the requirements of the forthcoming Equality Bill.
As the centre is ‘not-for-profit’ any surplus income can be re-invested into embedding equality and diversity practices and awareness in the community and promoting good practice.
“This case study highlights an innovative and proactive approach to partnership working and being responsive to community needs. The college has also continued to build on its original remit to ensure sustainability and continued success of the initiative.” “The range of engagement shows a visible commitment to equality and diversity by the Institute. It also illustrates the need for dedicated resources, as we are only too aware of the dangers of short term funding.” The Workforce Race Advisory Group
Provider contact Alex Baghurst – Diversity Development Manager Jayne Bacon – Equality and Diversity Adviser Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education Nuns Corner, Grimsby North East Lincolnshire DN34 5BQ Find out more about the work of The Workforce Race Advisory Group: www.lluk.org/3151.htm. RW09/09/200910.025
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