Black Valley launches new scheme to get more black people into tech

Compensation for Child Abuse Survivors

Lambeth Council has enlisted the charity Voice4Change England and Black Thrive, a local grassroots partnership, to support the Black community’s access to a Redress Scheme that compensates those who survived neglect and abuse in the borough’s former children’s homes.

The Lambeth Children’s Home Redress Scheme provides compensation and support to victims of child abuse, and those put in harm’s way, whilst at the homes which were open from the 1930s until the ‘80s and ‘90s. The two non-profi t organisations are working to reach people of Black African and Caribbean heritage, as they are currently underrepresented amongst those who have claimed redress. The Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme has been extended to the new closing date of 5pm on 1 January 2022.

Lambeth Council invites Black African and Caribbean people to claim Redress in a safe and confi dential space

COUNSELLING

In January 2018, Lambeth Council launched the Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme, a fi rst of its kind in England. It aims to support individuals who were abused or were at risk of being abused at Shirley Oaks and other former Lambeth Children’s Homes.

The Redress Scheme was set up to avoid re-traumatising survivors by offering an alternative to going through the courts – which is the usual route for compensation claims. As well as fi nancial compensation survivors are offered independent legal representation funded by the council, a formal apology from the council, a meeting with a senior council representative and free counselling support. There is also specialist advice available to help with housing, welfare, benefi ts, further education and employment.

By June this year more than 1,600 people had applied to the

Black Lives Matter shows us that systemic “ Redress Scheme, and over £46.4 million has racism and inequality Voice4Change England, the national voice for Voice4Change England, the national voice for been paid out in compensation. for b lack people is still a persisting issue the black and minority ethnic third sector says: “Recent events and the global focus on Black Lives the black and minority ethnic third sector says: “Recent events and the global focus on Black Lives SUPPORT But the council has observed that people with Black African and Caribbean backgrounds, who are eligible, have not come forward to claim their compensation in served that people with Black African and Caribbean backgrounds, who are eligible, have not come forward to expected numbers. Potential both abroad and in the UK ” Matter shows us that systemic racism and inequality for Black people is still a persisting issue both abroad and in the UK. “The underrepresentation of Black people accessing this Redress Scheme is more than likeMatter shows us that systemic racism and inequality for Black people is still a persisting issue both abroad and in the UK. “The underrepresentation of Black people accessing this Rebarriers identifi ed include insufly to be the result of structural fi cient clarity of information on barriers and lack of proactive how to apply, concerns about action to engage with the comhow Redress could impact othmunity. er support claims and put personal information at risk, fear of re-traumatisation, and other factors. ENTITLED We must do better and ensure that everyone receives the APPLICATION In response following their appointment Voice4Change Engto.” Natalie Creary, Director of Black Thrive, a mental health iniland and Black Thrive launched a new website on 24 June to help improve access to the scheme by supporting people with their redress application, clarifying any concerns and addressing barriers people may have when applying. Kunle Olulode, Director of compensation they are entitled tiative set up to address institutional racism in Lambeth, says: “Many victims and survivors of the abuses that happened between the 1930s to 1990s may no longer live in Lambeth. Whilst we at Black Thrive have experience engaging communities across Lambeth and will use our expansive network to get the word out locally, we need to do much, much more. We must ensure any survivors who are no longer in the borough, who may have fallen under the radar of care and support services, and who may have limited access to digital media are reached and encouraged to come forward.” Go to the Lambeth Redress website to fi nd out more: https://lambethredress.co.uk/ Disclaimers apply - full details at www.lambeth.gov.uk/ email-disclaimer