www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE2 INTHISISSUE Projectupdates Events CommunityGroup Spotlights TheFirstInterfaith Roadshow CommunityHeroes CommunityEducation Fundingopportunities CommunityCulture HPCWorkersWebpage Andmuchmore... WelcometothesecondissueoftheSomerset DiverseCommunitiesNewsletter. Thecost-of-livingcrisisisaffectingusall.Faith andbeliefcommunitiesareoftenatthe forefrontoftheseevents,forhelpseepage4 andsignupforourCrisisConnectevent. Gettoknowlocalgroupsandseeourup-andcomingeventsonpage17. Happyreading! Keep up to date @somersetdiversecommunities @ruralsomerset @somersetdiversecommunities Funded by
InterfaithWeekUKwasatimeforthenationtoacknowledgeandcelebratethe world’sreligionslivingamongstus.
Aweekfilledwithseminars,activities,prayer,andparticipationfrompeopleofall faithsandnone.
DuringtheweekofNovember13thtothe20th,thepeopleofSomersetweretreatedto thefirstcounty-wideInterfaithWeekUKcelebrations.FromTauntontoYeovil, MineheadtoGlastonburytheInterfaithandBeliefNetwork,planted,meditated, enjoyedart,andlearnedaboutthewidevarietyoffaithsandbeliefsthatweave throughthefabricofourcommunity.
SomersetDiverseCommunitiescouldnothaveprovidedsucha richofferingwithoutourpartners.
YeovilArtspacelaunchedtheweekwith‘NaturalReflections’an exhibitionsharingcreativeinterpretationsoffaith,belief,and theirconnectionstoournaturalworld.Theopeningwas attendedbyguestsfromacrossSomersetandincludedthe MayorofYeovil,EviePotts-Jones.ThankyoutoChavviand JessicafromYeovilIndianAssociationandFriends,forthe fabulousMehndi(Hennabodyart).
Christians,Muslims,Buddhists,Shamans,andSpiritualists complimentedeachother’swork.
Spokenword,paintings,stonecarvings,andphotographyareall expressionsoffaithandbeliefconnectionstotheearth.This groupofdeeplyspiritualpeoplegavethemanyvisitorstothe galleryaninsightthatnotallartthatexpressesfaithandbeliefis religious.Therewasnothinglikeseeingtheworkinperson, especiallywhenitwasbroughttogethersobeautifullyby Natasha,andcuratedbyZoeandtheteam.
www.ccslovesomerset.org/interfaith-belief-network/
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#InterfaithWeek2022
TheSomersetInterfaithandBeliefRoadshowcouldnothavebeenpossiblewithout thesupportoftheStaffatTaunton,Yeovil,andGlastonburyLibraries.
PartneringwithSomersetLibraries,StMargaret’sHospice,NHSSomersetTrust,Open pathwaysRetreatCentre,andTheSanghaHouseweinformed,educated,inspired, andconnectedwithvisitors.
Our'LivingBook',Ngarpatientlyansweredquestionsaboutbeing Baha’i.Herquietpresenceandgraceshowedusherfaithin action.
ChavvifromtheYeovilIndianAssociationandfriends enlighteneduswiththebeliefsandpracticesofherlifeasa Hindu.
WeconnectedwithSuefromYeovilCommunityChurch(YCC) andlearnedofthewonderfulworkoftheGatewayinYeoviland inGlastonburyFrancisandAllisonbroughtustheirexperiences ofbeingDruid.
WevisitedMeccaviaVCRandwereledinBuddhistmeditation.A richdynamicweekthatwehopewillberepeatedandgrowfor manyyearstocome.Thankyoutoeveryonewhomadeit possible.
www.ccslovesomerset.org/interfaith-belief-network/
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‘PlantingtheSeed’acollaborativevideobetweenSDCandNHS SomersetTrustbroughttogetherMuslims,Humanists,Jews, Christians,andBaha’itogiveusanoverviewoftheirfaithsand sparkacuriositytofindoutmoreaboutourneighours.Thankyou toJane,Anastasia,Ngar,andJasonforsharingyourpersonal experiencesoflivingyourbeliefs.AhugethankyoutoIanand Jasonfortheirhardworkandenormoustalentincreatingthe video,whichcanbeviewedontheInterfaithandBeliefNetwork pageontheCCSwebsite.
TheweekendedwithafamilydayatHolnicoteEstateMinehead.
#InterfaithWeek2022 3
Findoutwhatservicesareavailableforyourcommunitytoassistwiththe cost-of-livingcrisis.
Connectwithcharitiesandserviceprovidersthathaveprogramstohelpthiswinter onlineonthe15thDecember10:30-12:30pm.
Thecost-of-livingcrisisisaffectingusall.Faithandbeliefcommunitiesareoftenat theforefrontoftheseevents.Tohelpyouandhelpyourcommunity,SomersetDiverse Communitiesisholdinganinformationwebinartoconnectyoutoserviceproviders, grants,andotherareasthatmightsupportyouinyourdailywork.
Foranyonewhoworksorlivesinfaith/beliefcommunities–pleasejoinusandhave yourquestionsansweredtofindoutwhatservicemaybethebestfitforyoursituation. Guestspeakersfrom:
SomersetLibraries CCS Citizen'sAdviceSomerset CentreforSustainableEnergy Moretobeconfirmed!
BOOKYOURSPACEHERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crisis-connectonline-event-tickets-473219962647
Ifyouareaserviceproviderandwouldliketopresentatthisevent,pleasecontact JanineEvansInterfaithandBeliefCoordinatorEmail:janine@somersetrcc.org.uk
Well-beingProjectSomerset2022/2023
WestcountrySavingsandLoans(WS&L)creditunion-anot-forprofit,ethicalcommunity-ledfinancialcooperative–iscurrently workingwithSomersetCountyCouncilonaprojectaimedat promotingfinancialwell-beinginthecommunity. Giventhe challengingeconomicsituationanditsconsequences,which includehigherenergybillsandfoodcosts. KathrynDelve, FinancialWell-beingOfficerforSomerset,hasputtogethera numberofbriefbuthighlyinformativepresentationsonfinancial well-being,coveringtopicalissuessuchaswaystoimprove moneymanagement,wheretogoforhelpwithproblemdebt, andtheproductsandservicesthatcreditunionsoffer.
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Financial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv-sWRR69Sw
Wehavebeenworkingin partnershipwithWells CommunityNetworkthrough fundingfromWesternProvident Association(non-profitprivate medicalinsurancefirm)to deliverEnglishforSpeakersof OtherLanguages(ESOL)classin Wells.Theclassesstartedin September2022andwill continueuntilApril2023.
Placesareavailabletonewlearners,theseclasses areFREEandforallabilities!Formoreinformation, pleasecontactourtutorNicolaHayne nicolagillison@gmail.com orJusnaMustafaJusna@somersetrcc.org.uk 07946461544
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MorrisonsCommunityHeroesforBlackHistoryMonth WerecentlynominatedSusannSavidgeChairofSomerset AfricanCaribbeanNetworkandViennaAshley-WattsofUnited forBlacklivesforTheMorrisonsCommunityHeroesAwardfor BlackHistoryMonth. Thiswasfortheamazingworkthehavebeendoinginthe communitytoraisetheprofileandpromoteawarenessofAfrican CaribbeanandblackvoicesinSomerset.Theywereboth recognisedwithahamperofluxurygoodsfromMorrisons WellsCommunityNetwork
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WELLSESOLCLASS
Havinghadconversationswithschools,andidentifiedaneedforsometeacher training,wehaveaskedViennaAshley-Watts(Unitedforblacklives,Taunton) tocreateanddeliveranewteachertrainingprogramforPrimaryschoolsin Somerset.Therewillbeafocusonissuesthatteachersthemselveshave requestedsupportwith,including:
Discussionsaroundappropriateterminologytousewhendescribing ethnicallydiversecommunities.
Anopportunitytolistenandtounderstandtheexperiencesofethnically diversechildrenandyoungpeopleinSomerset. Achancetounderstandthenuancesofruralracism Anopportunitytouseroleplaytoconsolidatetheskills,methods,and knowledgelearnt Openquestionstothefacilitators
Thebenefitsofthetraining:
Teacherswillincreaseconfidenceindiscussingissuesofracialinequality Teacherswillbegivenknowledgeandskillstofacilitatediscussionsaround racialinequality
Teacherswillhaveabetterunderstandingoftheissuesfacingethnically diversepupilsinschool
Childrenwillreceivebettersupportatschooltoexploreissuesrelatedto racialinequality
Adecreaseinraciallymotivatedincidentsinschools Fosterimprovedrelationsbetweenyoungpeoplewithprotected characteristics
Ifyourschoolisinterestedinatrainingsessionpleaseaskthemto fillouttheonlineformbyvisiting: www.form.jotform.com/221843817333052 Facilitatingaconversationaroundrace 6
PromotingRacialEquityintheworkplace
WeranaFREEwebinarrecentlyaimedat employers,thosewhooverseetherecruitmentand retentionofstaff,andanyonewhowouldliketo improvetheirknowledgeandunderstandingof creatinganenvironmentthatpromotesracial diversityandinclusionintheworkplace.
Topicscovered:
Useofterminologyaroundrace Representation,RecruitmentandRetentionof anEthnicallyDiverseWorkforce MentalHealth,AllyshipandSupporting ColleaguesfromEthnicallyDiverse Communities
BetaBlockersforBias-Howtorecogniseand challengeyourownbiases
FaithandBeliefsintheWorkplace
TheBritishArmyandRacialDiversityand Inclusion
RacialDiscriminationintheworkplace-Legal framework,PoliciesandGoodPractice
ICB Towatchthiswebinaronlinepleasevisit: www.ccslovesomerset.org/somerset-diverse-communities/ MORE www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc/ 7
SomersetAfricanCaribbean Network(SACN)article
SACNhasasmallmanagement committeeandispleasedthat membershipissteadilygrowing.
Theyhavebeenbusyattendingseveral eventsacrossthecountytopromotethe networkandtheworkthattheyaredoing. Raisingawarenessofthecontributionof AfricanCaribbeanpeopletoBritain.
Producingseveralonlineeventsdiscussions,talks,storytelling,displays, readinglists,andwrittenandshared articles.Someofthishasbeenviamedia andsocialmedia.
Usingsocialmediatheyareenablingthe AfricanCaribbeancommunitytoconnect andfeelprideintheirculture,heritage, andlegacy. Sharingthiswiththewider communityenablesalearning opportunitytogainanunderstandingand appreciationoftheircultureandhistory.
SACNstrivestoactivelyaddressand improve,theissueofrepresentationand inclusionofAfricanCaribbeanpeople. Thisistoensurethereisan acknowledgmentoftheirpersonaland collectiveachievementsandcontribution tosociety.
Theirmostrecenteventwasanonlinetalk withyoungadultauthorAlexWheatle.This wasdeliveredbySomersetLibrariesand SomersetAfricanCaribbeanNetwork.
Alexprovidedsomeexcellent responsesandinspiration forSomersetAfricanCaribbean Network“goingforward”.
Thetalkincludedstoriesabout theWindrushGenerationand theirdescendants,their resistance,resilienceand survival.Also,theimportanceof WindrushDay. Givingsome insightintoAfricanCaribbean creativityinliteratureandalso television.
EnjoyedbylocalSecondary Schoolsitwasto celebratethe Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee the60thAnniversary ofJamaica’sIndependencein 2022.
SACNbegan2022withacelebrationfor theBBC’sCentenaryatlastyear’sBlack HistoryMonth.
ThiswastoacknowledgeBlackHistoryis alargepartofthehistoryandlegacyof theBBCfrombeforeandpostthe WindrushGeneration
TouringSomersetwiththe"BrownBabies" exhibitionin2022visitingfourvenuesto date.Theexhibitionfollowsthebook Britain’s"BrownBabies"byLucyBland.This isabouttherelationshipbetweenAfrican Americanservicemenandwhitewomen andthechildrenwhowerebornasa resultoftheseinterracialrelationships whentheywerestationedinBritainand theSouthWestduringWW2.
TheSomersetBlackGI'sprojectisalocal projectresearchingandcollectingstories thatisrunninginconjunctionwiththe exhibition.Thisisapictureoftheexhibition inthecloistersofWellsCathedral.
Ifyouwouldwanttogetinvolvedand supportus,pleasecontactuswithany inquiresbyemailSACN2020@outlook.com
SACNarticlecontinued...
2022isayearofcelebrations!
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CelebratedbytheYeovilIndianAssociationofFriendsatlabourClub Yeovilon22ndOctober.Morethan150peopleattendedthefunction from13differentcountries.Thedynamicmembersofvaryingagegroups werepassionateaboutspreadingculturalawareness,participation,and fun.Everyoneenjoyedthefunctionwithgreatgames,Bollywoodsongs, andIndianfood. WeareverygratefultotheMayorofYeovilandJusnaMustafa(BAME CommunityEngagementOfficer),whojoinedusandmadetheeventa grandsuccess. WewouldlovetowelcomeyouintoourfamilyandmakeYeovilIndian AssociationandFriendsyourhomeawayfromhome. YeovilIndianAssociationandFriendswasformedin2020toprovideaplatformforthe peopleinandaroundtheYeovilareatoorganizeeventsandgatheronfestiveandother occasions.Themainobjectiveistogatherfornon-political,non-communal,non-religious, culturalandrecreationalpurposesandtoforgeandpromoteculturalunderstandingand relationsbetweenIndiansandothernationalities. YeovilIndianAssociationandFriends 10 Diwali(Festivaloflights)Celebration2022
Polonia&Friends
ThePolishcommunitygroupwas constitutedinFebruary2020.Theirgoalis tocelebratePolishheritage,culture,and traditions,providesupportandintegrityto theirlocalcommunityandalsoenrich Polishchildrenbyprovidingaplatform, wheretheycanexchangeinterestsand havetheopportunitytousetheirfamily language.
Whatwedo?
Organizingfamilysportsandrecreation activitiesforbettercommunity integrationandinteraction
Arrangingmeetingstoexchange experiencesandgainnewskills(hobby section,boardgames,common interests,etc.)
WepromotePolishculture,language andtogetherwecelebratePolish holidaysandcelebrations(St.Andrew's Day,Children'sDay,St.Nicholas'Day, etc.),alsoencourage&supportchildren tolearnPolish
Arrangingintegrationtripswithsocial danceandfamilygames
Weworkwithlocalinstitutionstoobtain helporinformationforourcitizens (charity,health,etc.)
Supportingentrepreneurialspiritamong ourmembersthroughpromotionor informationonstartingyourown business
Weprovidefinancialsupportthrough subsidiestovarioussocialprojectsor numeroussportsactivitiesforchildren andadults.
FollowonFacebook&Instagramto learnmoreaboutplannedactivities. Withplanstogrow,theyarealwayson thelookoutfornewvolunteers,thatcan helpwithvariousactivities,theyare lookingforpassionateandcreative peopletohelpdeveloptheirgroup evenfurther.
Localbusinessthatwouldliketobe promotedviatheirbigevents,suchas YeovilTogetherareinvitedtogetin touch.
Lastly,theyareverykeentocooperate withsimilargroupsintheareaandjoin forceswithpeoplewhosharesimilar values-weinviteyoutogetintouch anddosomethingspectacular.
@Polonia&Friends
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OpenMentalHealthCommunityEngagementProject
Manyofushaveexperiencedthestruggletogettheright mentalhealthsupportforourselvesorforsomeonewelove. Othersofusdon’tapproachservicesatall,eventhoughwe knowourmentalhealthisn'twhatitcouldbe.Thiscouldbe becausewedon’tknowwheretogo,we’reworriedwemightbe judged,notseeingourneedsasgreatenoughornotfeeling welcomedbyservices.
TheOpenMentalHealthAlliancewascreatedsothatthereis nowrongdoortomentalhealthservices.TheOpenMental HealthCommunityEngagementProjectaimstotakethisone steponfurther.
TheCommunityEngagementWorkersareworkinginSomerset communities;listeningandsupportingvoluntarysectorand communitygroupstoidentifyandaddressgapsinprovision.
Theydothisbyidentifyingfundingtocreateneworadaptexistingprojects,working toreducestigma,andupskillingstaffandvolunteerstowelcomepeoplewherever theyareintheirmentalhealthjourney.ThisincludesfreeFiveWaystoWellbeing training,anevidence-basedapproachthathelpspeopletakesimplestepsto maintainorimprovetheirmentalhealth.
Overthecomingmonths,theywillberecruitingMentalHealthChampionsto representtheircommunityateventsandmeetingsandsharetheirknowledgeabout OpenMentalHealthwithpeopletheyknow.
Theteamiskeentoworkwithanygroupswhoshareourpassionforincreasing accesstomentalhealthsupportinSomerset,including(butnotexclusively):
Veterans Refugees
NeurodiverseCommunity
Adultswithlearningdisabilities
DeafCommunity
Lowincomecommunities
Ifyouhaveideasabouthowwecanmakeiteasierforpeopletogetthemental healthsupporttheyneedwhenandwheretheyneedit,pleasegetintouchwith HelenFielden,ProjectManager:helen.fielden@sparksomerset.org.uk
OpenMentalHealthprovides24/7mentalhealthsupporttoadultsinSomerset.
Newpodcastcomingsoonvisit: www.youtube.com/user/CC4Somerset
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U.F.C.S.(UnitedFilipinoCommunitySomerset)
WewanttoinformyouthatthePhilippinesInternational NeighbourhoodAssociationinSomerset(PINAS)hasceasedto existandhasbeenreplacedbytheUnitedFilipinoCommunityin Somerset(UFCS)withitsnewlogo. Theorganisationwas establishedtobringallFilipinostogetherandhelpthemadjust, adaptandintegrateintothelocalcommunity.
UFCSisheretobeofservicetotheirmembersandtosupportthe Filipinocommunity.UFCSisanot-for-profitcommunity organisation,governedbyitsconstitutionandisguidedbyits visionandmissionstatements.
Theirmissionandvision:
WeendeavourtocreateaunifiedFilipinocommunitybycreatingfriendships andsupportingeachother.
Weencourageourmembers’personalandprofessionaldevelopmentandto becomeresponsibleandrespectedmemberofoursociety. WearededicatedtopromotingawarenessofourFilipinocultureand heritageamongstmembersandothercommunitiesthroughactivitiesand events.
Weendeavourtocreateahaventosupportourmember'swellbeingin accordancewiththemeansandresourcesoftheorganisation. Wehopetoestablishamultilateralandcollaborativerelationshipwithother communities.
FormoreinformationonU.F.C.S.,youcanfindusonsocialmedia, Facebook:@UFCS.2022
Instagram:@UFCS.2022.
Theyarecurrentlyworkingoncreatinganofficialwebsite.
"Welookforwardtoworkingandcollaboratingwithotherorganisationsinthe hopeofbuildingmultilateralrelationshipswithothercommunities.working towardsachievingatolerant,cohesive,responsiveandengagingsocietyforall.."
MarcieSoco(Chairperson)
Email:UFCSomerset@gmail.com
www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc/
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On November 12th, another Bridgwater Together event took place at the Bridgwater TownHall,celebratingdiversityinSedgemoor.
Many talks and presentations took place. The services and projects of social groups and local organizations were presented at 26 different stands. There was also live musicanddeliciousdishespreparedbyethnicminoritieslivinginourregion.
Amongthehundredsofvisitorstotheevent,therewereover20differentnationalities celebratingequalityanddiversityinSomerset.
Thank you for being with us, showing your readiness to work together for social cohesion.Seeyounextyear!
IfyouwouldliketoparticipateintheBridgwaterTogetherevent;haveastall,delivera presentationorperform,pleasegetintouch.
Contact:MichalPuzynskiatmichal@somersetrcc.org.uk
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Date/Time Time Event Venue 11thMarch 11am -3pm ChardTogether GuildhallinChard WHERE? WHEN? WEHOPETOSEEYOUTHERE Wearedelightedtoinviteyoutothelivemulticulturalevents! Whattoexpect!
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Deliciousfoodfromaroundtheworld,music,performances,presentationsandmuchmore. Comealongwithyourfriendsandfamilytocelebratediversityofourregion. IfyouwouldliketoparticipateintheChardTogether event;haveastall,deliverapresentationorperform, pleasegetintouch. Contact:jusna@somersetrcc.org.uk
Paintballday Workshop Sportsmatch WearehostingaseriesofFREEactivitydaysandwant yourideas...wouldyouliketoattenda: Getintouchandshareyourideas-welookforwardto hearingfromyou-contactMichal. DoyouWorkatHinkleyPointC(HPC)? WouldyouliketohaveanactivitydayandmeetyourlocalHPC community? email: michal somersetrcc.org.uk www.ccslovesomerset.org/sdc @ DownloadableSomersetWelcomePack Communityinformation Events Services Visit:https://ccslovesomerset.org/hinkley-point-c-workers/ Kayaking Sightseeing Cookeryclass 16
