VONNE

The Equalities Coalition is a collection of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations with an interest in equality and diversity issues in the North East which represent the six diversity groups that are formally recognised within discrimination legislation and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, Race and Sexuality. Members of the Coalition work closely with people who are at risk of exclusion through discrimination and with the community groups that support them.

 

VONNE supported the Equalities Coalition taking its first steps and has been an active member of the management group, promoting individual networks and helping to ensure the Coalition’s voice is heard on regional equality policy making boards.

The Equalities Coalition is an ambitious venture, pioneering the development of a collaborative approach to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion. The value base of the Coalition is enshrined in the expression that there is 'nothing about us without us'! It is committed to providing a framework for leadership from within the sector and will tackle discrimination by developing collaborative approaches; raising awareness; mainstreaming the equality and diversity agenda; gathering evidence; and strengthening and supporting advocacy and campaigning. VONNE is committed to mainstreaming equalities across all areas of its work and continues to promote the coalition widely.

VONNE plays an active part in regional equality projects which the Coalition currently manages or engages with:

CADE (Coalition for Action on Diversity and Equality)

One NorthEast awarded a £778,000 contract to deliver the CADE project from January 07 to March 09. The project will build the infrastructure of the six strands and the wider Coalition so that they are in a position to engage in influencing policy and practice across the region. Following a wide-ranging consultation with over 131 organisations, CADE has produced a coalition action plan and has awarded contracts to numerous providers to help implement elements of the plan. 

Coalition Action Plan

Future activity will include developing a regional network of disabled and deaf people; launching a gender-specific campaign; developing sub-regional LGBT networks; training for equalities advocates; and cross-strand workshops and conferences, such as that which was held between Older Age and Race in June 2007. 

VONNE has fully supported CADE and, from 1 July 2007, took on the role of the accountable body for project. As part of this responsibility, VONNE manages Amanda Young, in her role as Contracts Manager and chairs the project steering group. For further information about the CADE project, you can contact Amanda Young.

Over the next year, VONNE will be continuing to work with the Equalities Coalition in respect of both their strand based and coalition-wide activity.