Launch of blog to help needs of BAME residents in district

Launch of blog to help needs of BAME residents in district

24 November 2021

A NEW blog site for Newry, Mourne and Down Intercultural Forum has been launched.

The forum was established in 2018 to develop a strategic approach to identify the needs of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups living in the district.

Launched last week at South Eastern Regional College’s Newcastle campus, the blog site provides a platform in which each of the partners working together can share vital information to create an inclusive community that embraces diversity.

Council chairwoman Cathy Mason said: “On behalf of the council and the PEACE IV team, I would like to thank Forsythe Consulting for the effective facilitation of the Forum and RANE Digital Marketing and Kernaghan Consulting for their work on the creation of this online blog.

“It will act as a vital tool in educating, advising, and engaging with the community on the important work undertaken by the forum and the interagency partners involved.”

The forum seeks to maximise resources and opportunities to promote equity, diversity and interdependence so that citizens with a BAME background feel recognised, fairly treated, safe and valued in the community.

It is made up of representatives from the,Southern Health and Social Care Trust, The Ethnic Minority Centre, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Advice Newry Mourne and Down, Wah Help Chinese Community Association, South Eastern Regional College, Southern Regional College, Newry Chamber of Commerce, County Down Rural Community Network and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match funding has also been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Anyone who would like to participate on the forum, or would like more information, should contact the forum by email nmdiforum@gmail.com  or through the blog at www.nmdif.org/blog.