To coincide with the launch of our new report - It takes a system: The systemic nature of racism and the path to systems change, Dr Sanjiv Lingayah wrote a blog about the three steps towards dismantling systemic racism.

After a tumultuous 2020, marked by the disproportionate impacts of Covid-19 on racially minoritised populations and the murder of George Floyd, we have been reminded how racism shows up in painful, sometimes deadly ways.

However, these manifestations of racism are, ultimately, symptoms of a deeper problem; they are the consequence of a system.

A new report by Dr Sanjiv Lingayah and ROTA shines a light on systemic racism. It takes a system provides a clear definition of this slippery concept and outlines an agenda for dismantling systemic racism. This includes creative efforts to bring to life how systems function as well as the development, by advocates and activists, of blueprints to show what a system that centres racial and other justice looks like.

Finally, to move towards a system that advances racial justice, we need proper funding for both the ‘fast’ work to deal with the crises of racial injustice and the ‘slow’ work of addressing systemic causes.

Project update:

• Voice4Change England, which forms the CORE Secretariat alongside ROTA has launched its Windrush Community Fund.  Phase 1 closes on 12th Feb. Phase 2 opens on 1st April and closes on 30th June. More info HERE.
  
  
• A number of CORE members were signatories to the Runnymede Trust's letter on the cancellation of GCSEs and A Levels.
  
  
• CORE member, CAHN, held a recent webinar relating to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, which had over 2,000 attendees.
  
  
• CORE members have responded to the Funders for Race Equality Alliance's mapping of the race equality sector survey in England, an exercise which has not been previously conducted since 2009.
  
  
• CORE writes to the Law Commission in response to their consultation on hate crime, and addresses a number of pertinent issues, in relation to current laws.  Read the full response letter HERE. 

This month, we welcome 3 new staff members who were recruited in January to join our team.

• Sasha Mckoy
  Volunteer Coordinator
  
  
• Kirit Mistry
  Volunteer Coordinator
  
  
• Eva-Grace Bor
  Multi-Media Assistant

Sasha and Kirit both have great experience of working in the voluntary sector. 

Sasha was previously a volunteer at ROTA and then went on to get a full time job at University of Westminster. 

Kirit has worked in the voluntary sector since 2007, working with various organisations and has been involved with ROTA's work and attending events for a numbers of years.

Eva joins our team on a consultancy basis, working on the Creme project.  She has a vast amount of multi-media experience, ranging from creative design and video editing.

It's great to see our team growing as we continue to fight for racial equality.

Read more about our staff team on at website.

Join Money4YOU's #BootCamp on Friday 5th February, with legendary fundraising expert Ian McLintock, Founder of the Charity Excellence Framework.

We know that sustainable income is one of the essentials of creating a successful non-profit. But how do you develop a sustainable income? A Fundraising Strategy and a Case for Support are two of the most important ingredients.

The event will be going through a variety of fundraising sources, what to look out for in 2021, crafting an excellent SWOT analysis and more.

Join Money4YOU's #BrunchBriefing on Monday 15th February, for this Masterclass session learning about how to find your authentic voice and l the writing journey.

Guest speaker Christopher Templeton has 25 years of experience as a corporate scriptwriter professional, as well as a broadcast and Agency creative director, executive producer with a proven track record of delivering consistently innovative and creative scripts and ideas for broadcasters and communications agencies.

Voluntary Action Harrow have a number of upcoming training course which you may be interested in.  

• Health & Safety
  8th February from 11am to 12pm
  
  
• Nominated Safeguarding Person Training (Level 3)
  11th February from 10am to 1pm
  
  
• First Aid at Home – Basic Emergency First Aid
  15th February from 11am to 12pm
  
  
• Introduction To Volunteer Management
  22nd February from 11am to 1pm
  
  
• Level 2 Safeguarding Children & Young People
  23rd February from 10am to 1pm
  
  
• Funder Advice Clinic: The National Lottery Communities Fund
  25th February from 5pm to 8pm
  
  
• Funder Advice Clinic: The National Lottery Communities Fund
  26th February from 10am to 1pm

Paternity cover: minimum 6 months cover from March 2021

Join our amazing team and help provide support services to our more vulnerable and isolated members.

As Befriending Support Officer you will be responsible for supporting befriending relationships and helping develop the service. You will be responsible for triaging new referrals to the service, liaising with existing clients by phone or in person in their homes and making referrals to external support services.

You will also support the recruitment, development, placement and ongoing support of volunteers within the service and be responsible for reaching out to minority or underrepresented communities who may not be aware of the ODL Befriending Service.

Closing date: 5pm 22nd February 2021

To apply, please email the completed Application form, Equalities form and Declaration form to jobs@openingdoorslondon.org.uk

The Ragdoll Foundation’s Open Grants Scheme supports the cultural sector’s work with children and young people.  All applications are expected to contribute to the Ragdoll Foundation’s primary purpose.  There are two strands: Small Grants and Main Grants.

Open Grants – Small Grants Programme: Innovative, arts-based small projects, pilots, or research & development to inform a new project or programme of work. Applications for up to £1,500 can be made and there are five deadlines per year.

Open Grants – Main Grants Programme: Larger or longer-term new projects, or proposals that significantly develop the scope or scale of an existing programme, project or pilot. The majority of Main Grants awarded are in the region of £5k to £20k, however we accept applications of up to £50k for multi-year projects from organisations with appropriate experience.

Grants of up to £4,000 are available to local projects that support communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, addressing their emerging needs and improving community engagement with public health initiatives.

The funding needs to support small projects of £20,000 or less.

Grassroots organisations, charities, community groups, religious and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding from the Near Neighbours Programme - Community Covid Relief Grants for projects that keep people safe, connected and informed.

The grants will support new or developed work which should finish before the end of March 2021.

Organisations need to discuss their applications with their local Near Neighbours Coordinator in the first instance.