Racial Equality Officer & Stress Management Project Co-ordinator

Racial Equality Officer & Stress Management Project Co-ordinator, Vivien Caldwell

During the past year,I have performed the roles of Racial Equality Officer and Co-ordinator for the Stress Management Project.

Racial Equality Officer Over the past year I have dealt with a number of cases. My case load has been comprised of employment related cases as well as cases arising from inequitable service delivery. Two employment cases were settled financially through my negotiations with ACAS,much to the satisfaction of the clients involved.

I have also worked closely with my colleagues Harry Dematagoda and Shahana Noor,sharing information on case law and tribunal procedures. This has been especially helpful with unique cases which provide the chance for such information to be used in future case work. I have had the opportunity to attend Employment Tribunal as part of the case work team,both in a supportive capacity for a client who wished to represent himself and with my colleagues as a representative of WSREC.

I have dealt with a large number of enquiries some of which were related to racist incidents instigated by media coverage of current affairs. This stresses the importance of the work WSREC performs in terms of promoting good race relations. I have also assisted a number of former clients with ‘ongoing’ enquiries. This takes place when a formal case is not necessary and usually involves some support with letter writing etc in order to clear up an outstanding issue the client feels may involve some element of racial discrimination.

Co-ordinator (Stress Management Project) In August 2003 I began work on West of Scotland Racial Equality Council’s pilot counselling and support project. The aim of the project is to provide a service to clients and tackle the complex mental health issues arising from racial harassment,discrimination and victimisation.

Ultimately the objective of the counselling and support project is to provide increased support to clients who often arrive at WSREC suffering from depression and low self-esteem. We have encountered a large number of cases where clients have suffered from mental health problems as a direct result of racial discrimination/harassment.

WSREC is grateful for funding contributions from Lloyds TSB Foundation and Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund in support of our project. Through the project WSREC has embarked in partnership work and awareness raising with other community based projects in particular the Maryhill Stress Project and has begun to establish links with centres for alternative and holistic therapies. Our first success in this area was achieved when we secured the help of a qualified Massage Therapist who has worked in the field for 15 years. During this time several clients completed a six week session of massage therapy.

All partners and volunteers will be invited to participate in our upcoming training on race equality in order that meaningful partnerships can be developed and to raise awareness of the culturally sensitive service delivery needed to build the confidence and trust of BME communities.

Left to right:Maggie Chetty (WSREC),Lynne McKenzie (Scottish Prison Service),Mark Hateley (Rangers Football Club),Shahana Noor (WSREC),Vivien Caldwell (WSREC)