Being Different Together Project
Worcestershire Diversity Officers throughout the County
successfully secured funding from the Improvement &
Efficiency West Midlands (IEWM) capacity
building fund.
The money was used for a range of initiatives: to develop an
equality and diversity strategy for Worcestershire, engage
better with our diverse communities and develop a
Worcestershire-wide equality and diversity training programme.
The project ran for two years and was the first time
Worcestershire authorities have actively worked together to address
diversity issues across the county.
The benefits of the project included:
- Gaining a·better understanding of our minority
communities.
- Establishing new ways to engage with these groups.
- Improved targeted services.
- Increased confidence of Councils on equality and
diversity.
- Formal accreditation to the
Equality Standard for Local Government (now superseded by
the Equality Framework for Local Government).
The project was officially launched in May 2008 and closed at a
conference in March 2010, however outcomes of the project such as
the county-wide training programme, will continue.
Project Structure
'Being Different Together' involved Councillors and Officers
from all six districts and the County Council working together.
The Project Management Team consisted of Diversity Officers who
were responsible for delivering the project and carrying out the
various work areas involved.
The Project Steering Group consisted of Councillors and Senior
Officers from each authority who ensured the project stayed on
track and provided visible leadership and commitment.
Improvement &
Efficiency West Midlands were the project sponsor and also sit
on both of the project groups to provide support and guidance.
Councillors and Officers across Worcestershire authorities are
currently deciding how best to continue this cross-authority
partnership working and build on the strong relationships
established during the Being Different Together project.
Knowing More About Our Communities
Waterhouse Consulting Group carried out a mapping exercise
to gather information about our communities as part of the Being
Different Together project.
Please follow the link to download the
mapping report 
(746KB).
Councils for Communities
"Councils for communities a whirlwind tour of
Councils in Worcestershire and what they are doing to meet the
different needs of communities.
Councils for communities shows Equalities for
real through 8 projects in Worcestershire making a big different to
residents. The film shows what can be achieved with a bit of
planning, common sense and thinking about the different needs of
residents.
From a gym designed with disabled users in
mind, a youth bus taking services out to young people, to tackling
prejudice in the workplace, this film includes contributions from
chief executives to local people. Presented in an upbeat way its
purpose is to motivate organisations to do more to meet the
different needs of communities."
Working Together
Being Different Together is about all councils in Worcestershire
working together to address equality and diversity issues. For more
information about what is happening in your area do get in touch
with your local authority representative or the overall Project
Manager at the County Council.
If you would like to find out more about this project please
email E&D@worcestershire.gov.uk.
This page was last reviewed 21 November 2011 at 9:48.
The page is next due for review 19 May 2013.