GM=EqAl echos the GM VCFSE Leadership Group, sector and partners in the recent statement condemning the racist, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic and xenophobic attacks and rhetoric we have seen in recent weeks. We stand firm with our colleagues, communities and all of those targeted by the reprehensible actions and behaviours of this vocal minority. As an alliance built on the solidarity between marginalised communities to address entrenched inequalities, this is a time to support one another and unite against the challenges we see today. The statement released by the GM VCFSE Leadership Group can be found in the 'News' section of this issue and it contains resources and support for you, your communities and your organisations. 

NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is inviting GM residents to share their views in a public engagement exercise ‘An NHS Fit for the Future’, which will run until autumn. This programme will take the public on the journey with NHS GM towards achieving their population health, performance and financial goals; to give stakeholders and communities the opportunity to tell them what is important to you and what they should prioritise, and to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges they face.

The Community Energy Fund (CEF) is a grant scheme for urban and rural communities to develop community energy projects, including local renewable and low carbon energy projects (such as wind farms, hydro power and rural heat networks, community electric vehicle projects (such as electric vehicle charging points and electric car clubs) and energy efficiency retrofit and advice projects (where there is local need and a gap in existing services and where there is a business model for a sustainable service). CEF grants are not available for capital works, equipment or service delivery, and cannot be used to cover costs incurred prior to the grant offer.

Deadline: 1st September 2024

The new Government inherits an economy marked by 16 years of stagnation and high levels of inequality, with regional inequalities among the most important. This Resolution Foundation briefing note assesses the state of geographic economic inequality facing the new Government.

The Equality Trust explains that the racist riots that spread through British cities in the last week of July were shocking, but not particularly surprising. They also note that violent racism has been simmering for decades now, stoked to a boil by a media and political system that has upheld inequality by scapegoating migrants, Muslims, and Black and Brown people. 

This report by the University of Birmingham with support from Rainbow Migration shines a light on the harms that LGBTQI+ people experience within the asylum system. People who have escaped persecution and come to the UK to rebuild their lives in safety should be met with compassion, instead government policies are exposing them to harm. This is entirely fixable, and this report lays out the urgency for doing so.

These principles set out an ambitious but realistic standard for collaborating with residents around the use of automated decision-making systems. Public sector organisations and those working on behalf of the public sector are encouraged to sign up to them as a way of endorsing this standard, and committing to work towards achieving it. These principles were created in partnership with a community of people who care about how automated decision-making systems are used, from within and outside the public sector. 

Hear from the future leaders on this year’s programme as well as current leaders, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, on working together to create a more inclusive Greater Manchester. Explore different civic roles and the routes into them from those who have made the journey and want to encourage others to do the same in the ‘Building Legacy’ Webinar series

Thursday 22nd August 9am - 4pm, Manchester

This conference will be exploring the reality of accessing justice for refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK, especially those who are LGBTIQ+ and/or of African Heritage or belonging to the Global Majority community. With the original goal of reflecting on the inaccessible legal aid system in the UK, this conference will also explore other areas of justice such as in mental and sexual health, inclusive housing, racial justice and allyship.

Thursday 22nd August 1:30pm - 3pm, Online

This Live Well interactive webinar will address key issues around food insecurity, mental health and finances through creating a sense of belonging and connection, which can provide individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage with an important safety net before they reach the crisis point of experiencing homelessness. 

The Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group joins the sector and our partners in condemning the racist, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic and xenophobic attacks and rhetoric we have seen in recent weeks.