CAMDEN LGBT
FORUM
Camden Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Forum
Camden
LGBT Forum Update
18 August 2005
Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter, this is packed with news of Forum activity, volunteering opportunities and events taking place in and around the borough.
As a way of keeping you up to date and more informed as to the activity of the Forum we are now including a read copy of the monthly Forum meeting minutes.
We hope that you find the newsletters informative and interesting to read, however if there is anything you would like to see more of, or you want to offer suggestions on how we can improve our bulletins, please feel free to offer us your views.
The Forum would also appreciate views and opinions from older LGBT people discussing your needs and views on how to make supported housing friendlier as the Forum will be giving consultations to the Older Persons Independent Living Service and the Sheltered Service manager.
Please let us know your views and opinions by contacting the Forum by telephone on 020 7470 8760 or via email at forum.admin@camdenlgbtforum.org.uk
Read on for more news and opportunities...
Camden Community Strategy
Camden a place in which to have PRIDE!
Do you want to help to improve the quality of your life and that of others in Camden? Do you want to express your views and opinions on community safety; health services and the local economy amongst others? Do you have a vision of how Camden will be in 2011? If so read on…
What is the Community Strategy?
The first strategy ‘Our Camden Our Future’ (2001 – 2006) talked about Camden being an extraordinary, vibrant borough – packed with Arts, green spaces, museums, libraries, galleries and an incredible diversity of people, all coming together in a unique mix making Camden a special place to live, work or visit.
This outlined the commitment to
The second community strategy ‘Camden Moving On’ (2006 – 2011) aims to build upon the success of the first community strategy ‘Our Camden Our Future’.
The way the local strategic group wants to do this is by
Here are some examples of the questions in the Community Strategy Consultation questionnaire.
Health
1) What is the one thing in your area that affects people’s health most and what can voluntary and community groups do to improve this?
2) What kind of things can voluntary and community sector groups do to help people eat more healthily?
3) How can voluntary and community sector groups help parents supporting the well being of their children e.g. parenting skills, more and better play areas etc.
4) What do you think are the key issues facing older people and how can voluntary and community sector groups help meet those needs?
Community Safety
1) Fear of crime is higher than the actual members of crimes committed would suggest – what do you think voluntary and community sector groups can do to reduce fear of crime?
2) What do you think would be the most effective way to stop people re-offending and what role do you think the voluntary and community sector groups can play in this.
Economy – employment, skills and education
1) How can voluntary and community sector groups in Camden actively contribute to the recognition of the borough?
2) How do we encourage voluntary and community sector groups to offer more local people skilled employment?
3) What kind of support should there be for small/medium and particularly local social enterprise?
4) What training and support is needed to enable local people to take advantage of current employment opportunities offered in Camden?
5) What do you think are the major issues around education in Camden and how can voluntary and community sector groups help tackle these issues?
Liveability
1) How can voluntary and community sector groups help promote opportunities to recycle rubbish in Camden?
2) What can voluntary and community sector groups do to make our green spaces more pleasant and friendly?
3) How can voluntary and community sector groups encourage and support local people to be involved in the planning and development of new housing in the borough?
4) What sort of leisure facilities are most needed in Camden and how can voluntary and community sector groups ensure that local people can use them?
Other questions
1) If there was £5000 for local people to spend in your area what would be your priority?
2) What would be the advantages of local people having a pot of money to spend on priorities they had identified?
3) What might be a useful sum?
This is the first time since the Camden Community Strategies were introduced in 2001 that the LGBT sector and communities are being consulted on matters that concern us and our visions of the borough for the future.
This is a fantastic opportunity to use your voice and for you to do something active for the LGBT communities in Camden. The community strategy is a key and very influential plan for Camden. “It is a central foundation to EVERYONE’S work for the next five years.
This is an ideal opportunity to express our views, opinions and concerns about the borough in which we live and work and now that we have the opportunity - let’s use it.
To receive the complete questionnaire please email us at forum.admin@camdenlgbtforum.org.uk or by post to Camden LGBT Forum, 11-15 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 9BP.
Note: Voluntary Action Camden has offered to fund the Forum to host a LGBT consultation on the Community Strategy providing we have a sufficient number of participants to make this a viable consultation.
STUDENT
FRESHERS FAYRES:
SEVERAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Every year thousands of Students arrive in London. For some of them this will be the first opportunity they have to fully express their sexual orientation. To make LGBT students aware of our organisation and other help that is available to them, Camden LGBT Forum will once again be holding stalls at various students Fresher Fayres this coming September and October.
The University College London Fayre will be held on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th September. University of London Union Fayre will be held on Friday 7th October.
Owing to the large number of students we met last year the Forum requires the assistance of several volunteers. If you could help staff the stall or assist with giving information about the Forum, or you can help with setting up, please do get in touch by emailing us at forum.admin@camdenlgbtforum.org.uk or by telephoning us on 020 7470 8760.
Safer Neighbourhoods
Community safety is paramount to the work the Forum does and working alongside the Police and Camden Council we really do aim to make this a better place to live and work. However if you feel that not enough is being done in your area or you have particular views on ways in which community safety can be improved please offer us your views or alternatively take the opportunity to volunteer with your local neighbourhood wards and represent the forum and give your views, opinions and concerns to the Metropolitan police on Safer Neighbourhoods…
The community safety strategy programme offers:
Find your local Camden Safer Neighbourhood Team
Haverstock
Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2016
Email: Haverstock.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Mark Harris
Kilburn
Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2017
Email: CamdenKilburn.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. William Perkins
Gospel
Oak Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2015
Email: Gospeloak.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Mark Harris
Hampstead
Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2779
Email: HampsteadTown.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Phil Bagshaw
Swiss
Cottage Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2755
Email: SwissCottage.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Nick Parry
Cantelowes
Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2756
Email: Cantelowes.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Dave Palfrey
St
Pancras/Somerstown Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2810
Email: StPancras.Somerstown.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. Julian Evans
Regents
Park Ward
Telephone: 020 8721 2811
Email: RegentsPark.SNT@met.police.uk
Officer in Charge: Sgt. John Burnett
Your views and opinions really do matter and could make all the difference to the borough in which you may live or work.
Camden Community and Police Consultative Group
A volunteer is needed to represent the Forum at the next Camden Community and Police Consultative Group meeting which will take place on Monday 3 October at Conway Hall, Camden at 7.00pm.
Other News and Information
VOLUNTARY ACTION CAMDEN - Monitoring the Effects of Fair Access to Care Services.
The Voluntary Sector Health Forum has been working with Social Services to try and monitor the effect of people being reassessed under the Fair Access to Care Service system on voluntary and community sector groups.
They are holding a meeting on Tuesday 6th September at 5:30pm at the Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre for anyone who has had their care services cut within the last two years. If people would like to attend and have any particular access requirements, including transport needs or BSL signers, they should contact Sally Dixon by Friday 19th August on 020 7530 6480 or by email by at info@discnwl.org.uk
The nearest tube station is Chalk Farm and buses which stop nearby are 27, 31 and the 168.
Camden Town Community Forum
There are plans for a new Community Forum for Camden Town.
The Forum will consist of representatives from the community from a variety of local settings in Camden Town such as the voluntary sector, faith groups as well as residents and tenants associations. One of its main foci will be community safety and on this it will be working with key agencies in the Council and with the Police by providing effective community representation and act as a conduit for information between the local community and the Council as well as act as a consultation body.
This Forum will represent the interests and concerns of the residents and various communities in Camden Town, and encourage effective community representation and involvement.
For further information on how you can get involved and to find out if your group qualifies to join the Forum please contact Maria Kaustrater via email at Maria.Kaustrater@camden.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 7974 3495.
Gay Hate Crime Figures Released
The Crown Prosecution Services has released its full set of figures for hate crimes committed against members of the LGBT communities in England and Wales.
The findings show that between April 2004 and March 2005, the CPS prosecuted 317 cases it had identified as having a homophobic element.
Of these, 190 resulted in a guilty plea and a further 34 resulted in conviction after trial. The conviction rate was 71%. Principal offences were crimes against a specific person, followed by public order offences.
“While these figures sadly show that there remains prejudice in our society, I hope that they also show an increased confidence in the CPS so that victims can come forward and report attacks, despite fears they may have,” said Ken Macdonald QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions.
To read the full article visit http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/139_05.html
Citizens Advice unveils guide to new rights for same-sex couples
New guidance aimed at helping same-sex couples find out more about the new Civil Partnership has been published by independent national charity Citizens Advice.
Under the new law, which comes into force on 5th December this year, same-sex couples who register a civil partnership will have the same legal benefits and tax rights as heterosexual married couples. They will usually be accepted as their partners next-of-kin and be eligible for pension benefits.
The new fact sheet, available under ‘what’s new’ on the Citizens Advice website http://www.adviceguide.org.uk explains how people can register a civil partnership. It also tells you about changes to inheritance, tax, housing and benefit rights, and where people can go to get more advice.
Citizens advice are concerned that many people are not fully aware of the implications of the new law. In some cases, if a person lives with their same-sex partner, their rights may be affected whether or not they choose to enter into a civil partnership.
The changes will mean that some couples claiming pensions or welfare benefits may see their entitlement change. Instead of claiming individually, same-sex couples who live together will be treated as a couple and no longer as two single people, even if they do not register a civil partnership. Benefit entitlements will be affected will be affected because the income and savings of both partners will be taken into account when working out benefit claims.
Fertility Laws: IVF Treatment
The government has announced plans to overhaul Britain’s fertility laws which could see Lesbians and single women gain the right to seek in-vitro fertilisation.
The wide ranging consultation will ask for views on a wide range of issues such as the rules governing screening and selecting embryos for medical purposes, the scope for a “lighter touch” regulation of IVF and the best way to safeguard the welfare of a child born through the assisted conception.
The move follows a government commitment in January 2004 to review and update the law. Current legislation that asks for IVF clinics to consider a child’s need for a father before providing treatment could also be dropped. At present, Lesbians and single women can be given treatment if patients show there will be an Uncle, Grandfather or family friend who will act as a paternal figure.
‘A science and Technology Select Committee report this year branded the need for a male role model as “offensive” to unconventional families’. Committee member Dr Evan Harris was reported saying “ministers should ditch the ‘need for a father’ test as discriminatory and remnant of old fashioned values.
Current Vacancies and Opportunities
Woman's Trust Advocacy Project
Job Title: Advocate (Note = this post is for a female worker in accordance with Section 7(2)2.1(e) of the sex Discrimination Act.)
Responsible to: Woman’s Trust Advocacy Service Manager
Responsible for: The coordinated response to domestic violence provided by Woman’s Trust Advocacy Project
Grade: SO 1 point 29 plus Inner London Weighting
Salary: £24,792 inclusive of Inner London Weighting
Working hours: Advocates will be asked to work on a rota system to include on call duties.
Candidate must have:
· Experience of working with survivors of domestic violence at a crisis stage, particularly conducting safety planning
· Ability to do night time and weekend on call duties (from home) 1 week in every 3
· An ability to work in partnership with criminal justice system agencies and relevant statutory and voluntary groups
· An ability to understand the police process
Work location: Based in Kensington.
For further information and to request an application pack please contact;
Woman’s Trust Counseling & Support
Top floor Unit 1, Kensington Cloisters, 5 Kensington Church St London W8 4LD
Phone 0207 795 6444/6999 Fax 0207 795 6123
Email: administrator@wtrust.entadsl.com
Closing date for applications is 30th September 2005.
That's all for now
Regards,
Hilary,
Jon and Stephen
Camden LGBT Forum