Empowering Black Women’s Health Matters Symposium

26th October 2024

Theme; ‘Reclaiming the Narrative’

Adanna’s Women Support Group in partnership with Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC), hosted a symposium this Black History Month Empowering Black Women’s Health Matters at Redbridge Central Library Gloucester Room on 26th October 2024.

The event was a great success where the community came together to discuss health challenges faced by BAME Women, disparities in access to health care, cultural barriers, and the impact of socio-economic factors. Also strategies for improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable care for ourselves. The event raised awareness and delved into actionable solutions to address health issues within our community discussing inequalities that exist in various pain diseases, sickle cell, breast cancer, fibromyalgia, narcolepsy, lupus and other conditions.

The event had a great selection of guest speakers, entertainment with a fantastic rendition by a singer song stress, African drumming song, dance and drumming workshop and a delicious selection of African, Caribbean and Asian food.

RECC in collaboration with TARACC

BLACK HISTORY CULTURAL DAY

6th October 2024

Black History Cultural Day - Carnival Parade & centre picture featuring Special Guest Muhammad Ali Junior with Mayor of Redbridge, Mayor’s Consort and Chair of TARACC.

The Association for Redbridge African and Caribbean Communities (TARACC) in Collaboration with Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC), hosted Black History Cultural Day at Redbridge Sports and Leisure Jack Petchey Hall  on 6th October.

The event was a huge success! Especially as we had a very special guest present in addition to the Mayor of Redbridge, Muhammad Ali's son, Muhammad Ali Junior who made the event even more spectacular !!!

The event programme included  a Fantastic Community Carnival Parade joined by the attendees present dressed in Notting Hill Gate Carnival Costumes, vibrant Steel Pan performances, Guest Speakers , IROKO Drummers, Multi Genre Violinist Jamal Hope, recently featured on the second season of Netflix period drama Bridgerton, RECC Black History Exhibition, over 20 Black Business stalls and many more activities for the community to enjoy!

Limited Service Notice

We will be operating until further notice a limited service due to staff shortage.

Our normal service operation times for calls to an advisor are between 10 am and 3pm Monday to Friday.

However due to current staffing levels we aim to respond to calls and emails within a minimum of two to three working days.

Tel: 0208 551 8178 Email: office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk

We operate a hate crime service where messages can be left on our hate crime hotline Tel: :0208 551 8178, daily 6 pm to 12 pm.

Please click to download Hate Crime Report it Guide here.

If you cannot get through during our service operation times, please leave a message for an advisor to return your call.

Please see the following list of useful organisations and services if you need immediate help and support.

REDBRIDGE Support SERVICES & organisations

Need help and support - here are some useful contact details

Organisations supporting the homeless 365 days a year 7 days per week:

Redbridge Street Link -Tel: 03005000914

LBR Council Out of hours - Tel: 0208 708 5000. Please note this number also deals with health, social care and other areas of urgent support.

Other Housing support organisations and services:

Single Homeless Project Redbridge

The Single Homelessness Project's general enquiries phone number is 0204 509 8300. You can also contact them by email at info@shp.org.uk. 

Redbridge Housing Team

If you are homeless and have nowhere to stay in Redbridge, you can call the council Housing Team on 0208 708 4002. You can also email housing.options@redbridge.gov.uk.

Redbridge Housing Office Lynton House

Alternatively you can go directly to Housing Office at Lynton House and pull at ticket and wait to see an Housing Advisor.

Shelter UK

If you are about to lose your home or are homeless, you can call Shelter's emergency helpline at 0808 800 4444. 

General Advice and Universal Credit Claim help and support:

Citizens Advice Redbridge

Tel : o808 278 7872 general advice helpline

Tel : 0800 144 8 444 universal credit claim helpline

Organisations supporting food provision - Redbridge food banks

Jubilee Church - Granville Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4JY. based in Ilford Town Centre

City Gates Community Grocery Shop, Clements Road Ilford IG1 1BH

All Saints' Church, Goodmayes, Goodmayes Lane, Ilford IG3 9SJ

Organisation supporting Debt Advice

Step Change Debt Charity - Tel: 0800138 1111 Mon -Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am -2pm

Step Change debt online service also available 24 hours a day 365 days per year

RECC Annual General Meeting

25th September 2024

@7pm

Dear Friends and Members of RECC,

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council will be hosting our AGM on Wednesday 25th September 2024.

You are warmly invited to join us at this meeting to be held by zoom.

Click here to download AGM invitation notice with Agenda.

If you would like to become a member or renew your membership please contact us

Tel no 0208 551 8178 or Email office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk

Join us in our new campaign

Please join us in our campaign to progress efforts regarding raising awareness of cash machine scams. Redbridge have the most deprived areas in London in which cash machine scams have impacted our community.

Over the past few weeks we have been actively involved in this initiative, primarily by collaborating closely with partners to spread awareness through the distribution of posters. and are expanding our impact beyond poster placement. developing an extensive awareness campaign. This initiative aims to engage various stakeholders within the community to ensure its effectiveness.to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

We have complied a survey to gather relevant data, and facilitate presentations with community groups and organisations to articulate awareness of this important issue that has affected many, increasing loss of income and financial hardship during the cost of living crisis in our community.

If you want to join us to help us in our campaign or a community group or organisation wishing to learn more about our campaign to help your users please contact us.

Tel no 0208 551 8178 or Email office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk

International Women’s Day Symposium Saturday 16th March update

*Inspire inclusion* 

 

 *What does Inclusion really mean? And what does it mean to you?* 

Women of all generations joined us for this special event celebrating

 *International Women's Day* ! 

The ADANNA Women's Support Group in collaboration with Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC) hosted this exciting seminar in celebration of International Women's Day on Saturday 16th March 2024.. 

*Time 10am to 2 pm* 

at the *Redbridge Central Library in Ilford..

 

The words EDI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are being banded around a lot these days but what does it really mean? Women were invited to delve into this topic and share experiences..

It was a fantastic opportunity to network, connect with other amazing women, share stories, and empower each other. We had a great line up of powerful speakers who inspired and motivated us all. 

It was an incredible annual event where women discussed what inclusion meant for them, danced and sang together to vibrant African drumming and uplifted by the inspirational songs by a singer songstress. and a range of activities empowering women on International Women's Day!

There were also stalls at the event to promote businesses and groups.

Registration of the event was via Eventbrite https://AWSGIWD2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Please follow our social media accounts and share with us what inclusion means to you. By sharing your thoughts you will be empowering other women.

 Instagram.com/adannawomensgroup

 Facebook.com - search adannawomensupportgroup

www.adannawomensupportgroup.com

&

Facebook.com - search

redbridgeequalities ecc

www.redbridgeequalities.org

 

Happy New Year

It has been a challenging year for community and humanity as a whole in which we have seen over the last year increased poverty and deprivation within our communities and over the last year and recent months devastating and distressing human suffering. As we finish our celebration of the festive season we wish you a very happy and healthy New Year with wishes for Peace, Harmony, Unity and Good will to all.

This year will come with exciting new projects and activities, which we will keep you updated with! We will be working to increasing numbers on our team, doing more work to provide advice and support, and we will be developing our campaigning activities. More news to be announced, so keep your eyes peeled next year!

Our service levels this New Year :

We will reopen Wednesday 3rd January, monday to friday 9 am to 5 pm. Please call 10 am to 3 pm to speak to an Advisor.

Tel: 0208 551 8178 Email: office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk

We will be operating a hate crime service where messages can be left on our hate crime hotline - please call 0208 551 8178, daily 6 pm to 12 pm.

Please click to download Hate Crime Report it Guide here.

If lines are busy for any of our service operation times, please leave a message and an advisor will return your call.

Please note due to current staffing levels we aim to respond to calls and emails within a minimum of two to four working days.

Happy New Year from all of us at the RECC.

We wish you all a very Joyful, Peaceful and Healthy New Year and thank you for your support throughout the year.

Greetings from Staff and Trustees of RECC

 

Support from organisations this Christmas

Need help and support over Christmas - here are some useful contact details

Organisations supporting the homeless 365 days a year 7 days per week

Redbridge Street Link - T 03005000914

LBR Council Out of hours - T 0208 708 5000. Please note this number also deals with health, social care and other areas of urgent support.

Organisations supporting food provision - Redbridge food banks

Service days and location over Christmas and New Year click here

Grange Hill Methodist

Saturday 23rd December 2023 – OPEN – 10am – 12pm

Saturday 30th December 2023 – OPEN – 10am-12pm

Saturday 6th January 2024 – OPEN – 10am – 12pm

 Organisations supporting Debt Advice

Step Change Debt Charity - T 0800138 1111 mon -fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am -2pm

Step Change debt online service also available 24 hours a day 365 days per year.



RECC & TARACC BLACK HISTORY CULTURAL DAY CELEBRARTION

Update

ILFORD TOWN HALL

SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2023

The Association of Redbridge African Caribbean Communities and Redbridge Equalities and Community Council hosted Black History Celebration; Cultural Day at Ilford Town hall. It was an amazing event with the largest turnout of all our Reaching Communities Project events with 270 people in attendance! 

"The day was a vibrant celebration of rich cultural heritage illustrated through; activities, entertainment, food, music ,dance  and Windrush 75 exhibition. Dr Morgan Dalphinis was back to cover aspects of Caribbean History with an enthralling presentation on ‘Generational Trauma’ plus other inspirational speakers with young entrepreneur giving an inspirational account of their journey and rise to success. This was a truly exciting event bringing all ages and communities of our Redbridge Community together!

Time - 11.00am to 5.00pm

Date -   08 October 2023

Venue - Ilford Town Hall

Click here for Event flyer

Eventbrite link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-with-taracc-and-recc-tickets-709280054737?aff=oddtdtcreator


BLACK HISTORY LEGACY AWARDS

ILFORD TOWN HALL

Update

SUNDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2023

We joined a fantastic celebration of the amazing unsung hero’s, celebrated at the Black History Legacy Awards on Sunday 8th October 2023 at Ilford Town Hall.

There was a fantastic programme to celebrate the first ever Black History Awards in Redbridge created by Cllr Shanell Johnson with great contributions to the programme and with over 387 nominations.

We were extremely proud and delighted, one of our very own RECC Team member, working for many years, committed and dedicated helping so many people in our Redbridge community was nominated for the category Community Impact in recognition of their service.

Tickets -  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/legacy-awards-tickets-709215301057?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1



RECC TRUSTEE ADVERT

 

Trustees/Executive Board Members wanted

Passionate about human rights and want to make a difference to societal inequalities? Join us as Trustee/Executive Board Member.

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council (RECC) is a small Charity Incorporated Organisation(CIO) with growth potential and ambitious goals for the future. 

We are actively seeking to strengthen the capacity and diversity of our Trustees/ Executive Board Committee.

Trustees/Executive Board Members are responsible for collectively setting strategies, policies, overall performance, financial health and sustainability of the Charity. Acting as both an ambassador and a critical friend Trustees are required to promote the Charity's work, provide constructive challenge and developmental support and guidance to the organisation. 

Board meetings are held every 2 months between 7pm - 8.30pm, currently online via Zoom.

To help us to grow and develop our services to reach and deliver more to the diverse communities we serve, we would love to hear from you. In particular we are looking for experience, knowledge, skills in one or more of the following:

Accounting/Bookkeeping (QuickBooks), Auditing, HR Strategic planning, policy development 

Income generation/Fundraising/sustainability 

Quality improvement, systems design and development 

Digital media/PR/Communications/ Events/Campaigns management 

To find out more about RECC and Trustees main duties please contact office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk.

Click Here for Charities Commission Trustees Governance information.


RECC Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 27th September 2023

at 7pm

We are pleased to invite you to our Annual General Meeting which take place Wednesday 27th September 2023 at 7pm. The meeting will be hosted by zoom conference. .

This event will be an Eventbrite publicised event in the next few weeks.

Please call for further information or if you have any questions regarding any this meeting or for any other events and services.

0208 551 8178 or email office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk


Islamophobia Citizens’ Assembly Update Saturday 10th June 2023 11am - 3pm

As a human rights charity, RECC acknowledge that there is the need for the discussion concerning Islamophobia as a hate crime. We came together as a community to learn about and discuss the issues, experiences concerning Islamophobia and to reach conclusions how this can be tackled and find out what citizens think should happen.

RECC welcomed people from all faith and non-faith backgrounds to our Citizens' Assembly to challenge Islamophobia and other forms of hate crimes and prejudices in Redbridge on Saturday the 10th June .

The Assembly was a FREE event bringing the community together in a range of event activities:

Exhibition- Information stalls -Workshops- Discussion with panel of speakers.

The programme commenced with:

Welcome and Introduction – The Chair of RECC welcomed the attendees and spoke of the importance of the event and spoke of the proposed definition of Islamophobia to be fully adopted: "Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness,"

We were delighted the Mayor of Redbridge was in attendance. The Mayor of Redbridge thanked RECC for hosting the Assembly ,acknowledging the considerable work behind the scenes in organising such an event and thanked all the collaborators and supporters  and attendees. There was great participation with all the event activities, ice breaker activity myth or fact via using the interactive platform Menti.com, interactive workshops and educational exhibition exploring themes of Islamophobia in the workplace, media, in areas of every day life and great participation in discussion were there were very moving testimonials by attendees sharing both their personal and other people experiences of Islamophobia,  

There was great feedback from attendees of their enjoyment of having participated with comments highlighting the successful event… ‘resourceful, interesting and very well organised and it was an excellent event!'

Special thanks to the following collaborators, partners and supporters in the Islamophobia Citizens’ Assembly on 10th June :

One Place East, Islamophobia Response Unit, Educate Against Islamophobia , Islamophobia Awareness Month ,Redbridge Faith Forum, Ilford Islamic Centre and Redbridge Trade Council.

 Attendees enjoyed a selection of Light Food and Refreshments

Free tickets where purchased via Eventbrite link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/islamophobia-citizens-assembly-tickets-631473423007

We welcome your participation in our Islamophobia survey, please click link below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqtR7oejI04nXD3jdgKjd2MM1jbIJpQqh4gS617NaDGlqnyw/viewform?usp=sf_link

For more information please contact : office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk

or call: 0208 551 8178

Outreach General Advice, Advocacy Casework service

Redbridge Equalities and Community Council is providing vital advice, advocacy and support to the most vulnerable in our Redbridge community.

We are operating advice and advocacy services via surgeries and can be contacted by telephone if you need help and advice.

If you need our help, advice and advocacy to access services , welfare benefits, housing, homelessness ,help with discrimination, harassment, hate crime or help to access services in other areas please give us a call . In addition to providing, advice, advocacy and casework , if you need specialist or other support we will refer or signpost.

Next up and coming Outreach Advice surgery dates

Central Library : Friday 9th August 10am to 11.30am

For information on surgery dates, appointments and advice please call

0208 551 8178 Mon - Friday 10am - 3pm to speak to an advisor. Do not worry if lines are busy we will return your call.

Download here for further information and service details.

For Community organisations please call to book an outreach general advice surgery for your community group or organisation.

Barkingside and Hainault Community Day 19 February 2023 update

RECC Reaching Communities project partnered with Lifeline Project and Vision Redbridge Libraries coming together to host  our first outdoor event this year held on Sunday 19th February. The event was very successful in bringing the communities together to enjoy a fun day out with a range of activities from multi sports activities, meditation and African Drumming workshop with over 70 – to over 100 parents with their families enjoying the days activities in attendance..

Interested in participating in other RECC Reaching Community events, Community Forums and other activities.

Please call for further information 0208 551 8178 or email office1@redbridgeequalities.org.uk.

Download here Barkingside and Hainault Community Day event Flyer

Community Forums

Hainault and Ilford North

&

Loxford and Ilford South Tuesday

8th and 10th November update

We welcomed the residents to join us at the Community Forums on 8th November for Hainault and Ilford North and also on 10th of November for Loxford and Ilford South. Whether you live ,work ,study, worship or have fiends and family living in Redbridge all are welcomed to come and share their views and ideas to help improve and increase opportunities in your local areas.

There was open discussion with fantastic contribution from attendees with also great participation with the interactive survey Menti.com, sharing their views regarding health and well being, their feeling of sense of community and crime and safety ,and cost of living crisis with guest contributors from Redbridge CAB, Vision Health and Well Being Team and inspirational insights from Inventor Aneela Rajput.

The Community Drumming workshop at the Ilford South Forum was vibrant uplifting experience for all the attendees as entertainment to enjoy and light food and refreshment ! At the Hainault Forum, we enjoyed excellent Gymnastic Dance display performed by the school children of John Bramston School.

Free Tickets where purchased via Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-forum-loxford-and-ilford-south-tickets-464702988147?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

We look forward to seeing you at our next Community Forums in the New Year !

For further details and information Please call 0208 551 8178

or email office1@redbridgeequalities.org

Download here Hainault, Ilford North and Loxford, Ilford South event flyer

Happy Diwali from RECC