Valuing Everyone Annual Report 2014/15 1
Foreword Welcome to Valuing Everyone our first equality and diversity annual report, covering the period April 2014 to March 2015. The aim of this report is to look at some of the ways equality and diversity is an everyday part of everything that we do. It is a useful way in which to record some of the fantastic progress we are making and to demonstrate some of the activities going on within and outside Byker Community Trust. Our work in support of equality and diversity issues helps us to deliver our Corporate Plan and directly links to Our Mission: We work for people who have a voice and influence in our business; We celebrate our diverse neighbourhood; We provide quality homes, environment and services. We know Byker is a very diverse community and we try our very best to understand individuals and their needs. Despite our best endeavours we won t always get it right and where we don t, we welcome challenge and feedback to enable us to learn and wherever possible remedy any mistakes. This report highlights some of our approaches and shows the difference it can make to our tenants. Our tenants are at the heart of everything we do and with the government changes to the welfare benefit system and spending cuts to public services, it has never been a more important time to make sure that equality is embedded into our services. Jill Haley Chief Executive 2
What is Equality and Diversity? Equality and Diversity at Byker Community Trust is all about having a better understanding of who our tenants and staff are. By understanding who they are, and their particular needs, we can hopefully meet those needs in the provision of our services and investments. By doing this on a day to-day basis we ensure that we take this into account when planning our priorities for the future. Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty The Equality Act 2010 came into effect in October 2010 and replaced previous antidiscrimination laws with a single legislative Act. The Equality Act 2010 states the Public Sector Equality Duty that Byker Community Trust is required to meet. The General Duty requires Byker Community Trust to: Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act; Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it. The Act defines protected characteristics against which it is illegal to discriminate: Age Disability Gender Reassignment Race Religion or Belief Pregnancy and Maternity Sex (Gender) Sexual Orientation Marriage and Civil Partnership We apply these principles whilst delivering our services at all times. We have also contributed towards the general duty through a number of specific projects delivered throughout the year. We promote and publish these projects in our newsletter and also on our website. 3
BCT Equality and Diversity Strategy 2013 We have also published our equality commitments as part of our Equality and Diversity Strategy 2013 and this is available to view on our website (www.bykercommunitytrust.org). To support the strategy an action plan was developed. By April 2015, of the 30 actions, 26 have been completed, 1 is still in progress and 3 actions which were targeted within the 2014/15 year were not achieved. Actions from the 2014/15 Plan which were not achieved were: Annual E&D Report to Board Report to Board 30 July. Organise a Carer Group To be considered as part of the E&D Advisory Group. Organise a Young Mums Group - To be considered as part of the E&D Advisory Group. Unfinished actions from the 2014/15 Plan will be reviewed and where appropriate transferred to the Corporate Plan Action Plan 2015/16. A copy of the action plan is published on the BCT Website. 4
Supporting Equality and Diversity throughout the year At Byker Community Trust we deliver a wide range of day to day services that support the diverse needs of our tenants and the wider community. Each year we get involved in a number of much wider projects and activities to support and promote diversity. This is our Valuing Everyone year April 2014 Children from St Lawrence Primary School and Byker Primary School receive safety advice ACANE get the Contribution to the Community Award at the Regional CIH Award Magpies Manager oversees under 12s tournament BCT continue to support Play and Youth Forum All BCT staff provided with Health Care Package May 2014 BCT s first Star Survey issued to all tenants Tenant Communications Group holds first meeting Working with Changes 4 Lives to make a difference to the community BCT continue to support the formation of a Byker Young Persons Forum June 2014 One Love opens doors at Chirton Wynd providing activities for young people Newcastle Futures promote Apprenticeship opportunities During Refugee Week staff and members of our community attend even raising awareness of the issues affecting people who become refugees. BCT Board agreed to increase the Annual Disabled Adaptations budget to 45,000 from 19,400. 5
July 2014 All tenants invited to get involved in the Tenant Scrutiny Panel Promoted how to become a BCT Shareholder through our newsletter Over 1000 people attend the BCT Family Fun Day Supported the Byker Neighbourhood Alcohol Project enabling them to engage with a wide range of age groups at the BCT Fun Day Launch of Participatory Budget Scheme for 2014 Started working with Ranjana Bell Equality and Diversity Consultant August 2014 Chirton House which includes two disabled adapted flats, started on site. Byker Clean Team- Young people make a difference Supporting the development of a Portuguese Group Working in partnership with Police to promote awareness in relation to Operation Sanctuary September 2014 ACANE Refurbished by Bells Painters Generous Donations made to Food Bank Closing date for applications to the Participatory Budget for 2014 6
October 2014 First Annual Report to Tenants issued Tenant Scrutiny Panel held first session Customer Care Toolkit provided at reception November 2014 An open day for veterans is held at Avondale House Maximising your income day held at The Chevron NCVS appointed to provide specialist fund finding support to community groups Working partnership with Food Nation- Food skills course Mobile Hearing Loop purchased to support our customers Participatory Budget Steering Group Award funding to 12 projects December 2014 Christmas Card competition held at St Lawrence s Shipley Walk TARA hold festive celebration BCT host Carol Concert with children from Byker Primary School January 2015 BCT Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions scheme launched Staff Health Checks provided by Healthworks Newcastle Community Centre Annual General Meeting Heating to common areas in Tom Collins House identified as needing replaced to encourage involvement of all residents. 7
February 2015 Community Activities Fund launched- community come together to vote David Sleightholme from our Rapid Response Team wins the NCC Adult Apprentice Award Online Safety Police go into Primary Schools Prince Harry visits Avondale House March 2015 Avondale House join forces to refurbish St Michael s Church Hat-trick win Sports Newcastle Award Byker Village TARA tenant recognised for volunteer work Supporting the Byker VOSCAR s 8
Our Tenant Profile The tables below show what our tenant profile was on 31 st March 2014 based on the information we hold on our tenancy management system. On that day we had 1755 tenancies. Gender 41% 59% Female (1040) Male (715) Ethnicity White (1401) Black (138) Chinese (9) Middle Eastern (9) Mixed (47) Not known (85) Other (29) Prefer not to say (20) 11% Disability 1% No (1539) Not known (14) Yes (202) 88% 9
1% 0% Religion Any other religion-to be specified (20) 27% 0% 38% Buddhist (8) Christian -Cof E, Cath, Protest etc (663) Did not wish to say (118) Hindu (1) Jewish (1) Muslim (42) No religion at all (436) Not Known (465) 25% 2% 0% 7% 0% Sikh (1) 1% 1% 11% 0% Sexual Orientation 35% Bisexual (14) Gay Man (14) Gay Women/ Lesbian (6) Heterosexual (910) Not known (622) Prefer not to say (189) 52% 7% 8% Age 10% 18-25 (144) 13% 22% 26-35 (380) 36-45 (383) 46-55 (325) 56-65 (226) 66-75 (168) 18% 22% over 75 (129) We know there is no such thing as an average tenant as we treat everyone as individuals however if there was their characteristics are likely to be a white, heterosexual, 47 years old female, who is a Christian and is not disabled. 10
Next Steps Our strong commitment to equality and diversity implies that we are ready to face new challenges for 2015/16 and beyond. Some of the key projects we will be delivering during 2015/16 and in future years include; Aiming to make the BCT website a central information point for Byker residents. Utilising the BCT community budget to enable the voices of diverse groups to be heard. Expanding our range of engagement activities. Researching and understanding local needs and aspirations. Making a difference against a range of indices including; wealth, health, safety, energy efficiency and digital inclusion. Identifying skill gaps and implement tailored training programmes around individual needs and requirements. 11