Welcome
Welcome to the first ‘community involvement’
newsletter. In this edition we will be concentrating on how we engage
with people who are often considered vulnerable to exclusion. Our first
newsletter focuses on two of our groups – Eastbourne Disability Involvement
Group and Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group. In subsequent editions we will cover our work
with other groups such as Eastbourne’s Faiths Forum and Bourne Out.
Involving the community in our work is important to us
because it gives us a different perspective on how we might go about
things. It is also important to us that everyone has the opportunity to participate
in what we do and have their say in local issues.
Initially, these groups were established to assist the
Council with its equality and diversity agenda, giving a voice to those who are
seldom heard. Some of these groups have been operational for a number of
years and in this time have built up a lot of knowledge and understanding of
the Council and how it works.
 Eastbourne Disability Involvement Group
The Disability Involvement Group (DIG) was
formed in February 2007. DIG members help us with our disability equality
work and provide advice and guidance around access and what life is like in
Eastbourne if you are a disabled person.
Their feedback and commitment is invaluable.
DIG has representation from: Eastbourne
Blind Society , Sussex Oakleaf , Eastbourne Access Group , JPK Project (Learning Disabilities) , British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association (BLESMA) , The Chaseley Trust , Eastbourne Shopmobility , DeafCOG , and Multiple
Sclerosis Society - Eastbourne and South Wealden Branch. It also has a number of
disabled people representing themselves.
DIG members provide advice
to other agencies and recently have been consulted on a wide range of issues
including:
- Shared spaces and surfaces in the town centre and along
the seafront
- Disabled access to public rights of way and Sussex
Countryside
- Redevelopment of the town centre and Devonshire Park
- East Sussex Better Together – the merger of Adult Social Care and public
health
DIG members also organise
events marking particular days such as the International Day of Disabled
Persons and wider events such as the Disability Roadshow, which is now
incorporated into the Good Life Show, taking place on 28th September
in the Winter Gardens.
If you are a disabled
person living in Eastbourne, or are a member of an organisation that you think
should be represented at this group, please contact us.
For further information
equality@eastbourne.gov.uk
or 01323 415694
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 Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group
The Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group (ECIG) was
formed in 2014 and provides a forum for informed discussion between community
members, the Council and the Police, on race equality. The group shares information and learns about
each other from each other, highlighting and promoting areas of good
practice. Working together they
research, co-ordinate, assist and encourage effective solutions to local
issues.
ECIG
believe that everyone, no matter where their life started, or their cultural
background, has something unique to offer.
They embrace and celebrate this uniqueness in a safe environment and
raise awareness that working collectively everyone’s differences make us
stronger, and make our town stronger.
Together ECIG want to develop Eastbourne into a culturally vibrant and
welcoming town.
Currently ECIG members are undertaking a community
outreach project to close the gaps in the Council’s knowledge of why some
cultural groups participate more than others.
If you would like to know more about ECIG and consider
that this is a group you would like to join, please contact us.
For further information
equality@eastbourne.gov.uk
or 01323 415694
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Sunshine for Your Wellbeing
Sussex Oakleaf, a local organisation and a member of
both DIG and ECIG invites you to their free ‘Sunshine for your wellbeing’ event
taking place on Monday 8th August from 5:15pm – 7:45pm at the
Town Hall, Grove Road Eastbourne, BN21 4UG. Come along and try out yoga, bread baking, singing,
calligraphy, shiatzu, and mindfulness.
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