North Wales Race Equality Network
How Can We Help? - Sources Of Help - Advice Services - Resources Directory

Directory of BME Agencies and Voluntary Groups in Wales and North Wales

 

Welcome to the Wales and in particular the north Wales section of our information resource. Here you will find links to Local and Regional BME organisations, General information and information that may be specific to the BME population.

For easy of access this sections contains

Links to Information Portals

The purpose of these portals is to provide a depth and wide variety and up-to-date information to BME individuals and communities. You should be able to access over 200 sites that relate to BME issues.

UK BME organisations

Larger urban areas in the UK have significant resources and BME specific information. For information at a more regional or local level you will need to click on the appropriate link

BME organisations local, regional and national

Some of the BME sector in north Wales are relatively young organisations whereas others have been around for decades, but most have been created on a self help basis by people directly affected by local issues. We have attempted to list as many of these organisations as possible. Please let us know if we have missed a BME organisation you know of.

Links to General local Sources of Information

These links provide more generalist information. Where possible we have directed you to Bme specific pages.

We hope you find this site useful and informative. If you have any suggestions, or perhaps a web site you think we have missed out, then please send us an email.

Information Portals

Wales

“If you have just moved to Wales you might have many questions.. Questions about how to set up a bank account, what bus to can take into town and many, many more...” MEWN have put together information that will hopefully answer some of the questions you might have and make your life in Wales easier and more enjoyable. Examples of information taken from the Living in Wales section of the site are:

The Country, Culture, Adjusting to a new culture, Environment, The political system, Communities First, Community Safety, Promoting Equality, Voting, Emergency, Public Transportation, Money, Post Offices, Opening a Bank Account, How do I get help if I don’t speak English? Finding important phone numbers, UK Passport, Places of worship, Immigration, British Nationality, Embassies and Consulates

UK BME Portals

EQUIP

This west midlands portal is comprehensive and provides links to support and organisations outside Wales

http://www.equip.nhs.uk/langwmids.html

Ethni-city

http://www.ethni-city.net/index.php?cat_id=15

A gateway to multi cultural Manchester

UK BME Organisations

CEMVO

http://ethnicminorityfund.org.uk/html/whatwedo.asp

Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) is committed to extending opportunities to people from ethnic minority communities throughout the UK

BMESpark

http://www.bmespark.org.uk/ODPMNovaWeb/Home/Login.asp

BMESpark (Black and Minority Ethnic Supporting People action, research and knowledge) aims to help practitioners and policy makers reflect and meet the needs and concerns of black and minority ethnic communities in implementing Supporting People.

Blink

http://www.blink.org.uk/

The main communication channel of The 1990 Trust.

Black UK online

http://www.blackukonline.com/black-uk/5/black-uk-connexions.html

A list and brief of informative links for business' and advice organisations
in the UK.

www.multikulti.org.uk

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:mHhGODJ98LEJ:www.multikulti.org.uk/+&hl=en

The Multikulti website aims to support citizenship through the delivery of culturally appropriate and accurately translated information in the following areas of welfare law - debt, employment, health, housing, immigration and welfare benefits. They are currently translating material into, Albanian, Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Farsi, French, Gujerati, Somali, Spanish and Turkish.


BME organisations local, regional and national

All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA)

http://www.best-cymru.org/Organisations/details.php?id=14_0_5_0_C

A voluntary organisation established to respond to devolution in Wales. AWEMA acts as a link between the Welsh Assembly Government and BME communities to ensure their views, needs and concerns are heard.

All Wales Saheli Association

Offers support for Muslim women and their families in Wales. Based in Cardiff, but with a Wales-wide remit.

2 St Martins Row

Albany Road

Cardiff CF24 3JJ

Tel: 02920 496920

AWETU

Meaning ‘our unity’, AWETU is an organisation offering support to BME people confronted with mental illness. Based in Cardiff with an all-Wales remit.

41a Lower Cathedral Road

Riverside

Cardiff. CF11 6LW

Tel: 02920 394141

Bangor Islamic Centre.

Religious and social information and activities. Islamic study and information.

28-30 Victoria Street

Caernarfon

Gwynedd LL55 1PN.

Contact: Mr Mirwas Khan.

Tel: 01248 354612 (Mosque)

Black Environmental Network (BEN)

www.ben-network.org.uk

Working for full ethnic participation in the built and natural environment. BEN is a membership organisation with a UK-wide network of over 600 members. Membership is free to small community groups, schools and individuals.

Black Voluntary Sector Network (BVSNW)

http://www.bvsnw.org/

An umbrella organisation that actively represents, supports and promotes
the interests of the BME Communities and the BME Voluntary Sector in
Wales. BVSNW have an out reach worker who is involved with Communities First in north Wales.

Chinese Community Group

A voluntary support network organised from within the Chinese community, helping with social contacts and activities. Also provides Chinese classes.

Chinese Women’s Group

A voluntary group that provides a social network and a source of information and advice on all issues to women in the Chinese community.

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE Wales)

http://www.cre.gov.uk/wales

A publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. Works in partnership with individuals and organisations for a fair and just society which values diversity and gives everyone an equal chance to work, learn and live free from discrimination, prejudice, and racism.

Ethnic Business Support Programme

http://www.cyfenter.co.uk/English/cydpartners/ethnic_business_support.asp

Ethnic Business Support Programme (EBSP), established as a non-profit company, aims to

bridge the gap between ethnic communities and business support agents. It will target potential entrepreneurs using local champions, and advisors will hand-hold clients through the start-up process

Filipino Association

A voluntary organisation providing information, support and social activities to the Filipino community.

Gateway Gardens Trust

www.gatewaygardenstrust.org

Connects a wide range of community groups, schoolchildren and lifelong learners (including BMEs) with the social and environmental heritage of historic gardens and parks.

International Students Welfare Advisor

Provides advice and guidance on a range of welfare related matters to all international students and their families

Student Services Centre

Student Union

Deiniol Road

Bangor

Gwynedd

Tel: 01248 388430

IQRA Trust

http://www.iqratrust.org/

Aims to promote greater understanding of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims, and to encourage full participation in all aspects of British life whilst adhering to the teachings of the faith. Based in London.

Minority Ethnic Women’s Network (MEWN Cymru) http://www.webcell.co.uk/Final%20Dev/aandi.asp

A Wales-wide organisation that aims to remove barriers to participation faced by black and ethnic women in Wales. Membership is by annual subscription for a small fee, which gives access to a range of facilities services and opportunities.

NACRO (Cymru)

NACRO is a crime reduction charity. Their aim is to make society safer by finding practical solutions to reducing crime. NACRO provides consultancy, training, information, research, evaluation and development services in the fields of community safety, mental health, prisons and resettlement, and race and criminal justice.

NACRO Cymru

35 Heathfield

Swansea SA1 6EJ

Tel: 01792 468 400

Email: info@nacrocymru.org.uk

NHS Centre for Equality and Human Rights

Set up to deliver fair equal and fair treatment in all Health Service organisations for employees.

Tel: 01352 706954

Contact: Pam Luckock (Regional Equality Manager North Wales)

North Wales RSL Equality Partnership (Housing) (NWREP)

Tel: 01745 357195

Contact: Marion Wynne Jones

North Wales Race Equality Network (NWREN)

www.nwren.org

A network working with all public, voluntary and private sector bodies encouraging the development of race equality and race awareness in North Wales.

The Equality Centre

Bangor Road

Penmaenmawr

Gwynedd LL34 6LF

Tel: 01492 622233

SHEKINA

Shekina is a multi-cultural women’s group providing training, help and support, encouraging women to participate in the local community. Membership is by annual subscription or donation, but advice and language courses are given free.

378 High Street

Bangor

Gwynedd LL57 1YE

Tel: 01248 370515

Web: www.geocities.com/shekinamcwg

Contact: Julie Sellars (Project Coordinator)

SNAP Cymru

The Special Needs Advisory Project in Wales provides advice and support for the parents and carers of children who are categorised with Special Educational Needs. SNAP Cymru has a BME Consultants Forum which seeks to raise awareness of the issues related to black and ethnic minority parents, carers and young people.

Tel: 01286 677899

Web: www.snapcymru.org

Contact: Gareth Hughes (SNAP Cymru Area Manager)

Welsh Refugee and Asylum Seekers Group

Working with the Welsh Refugee Council, the group provides information, advice and advocacy to newly arrived and more settled individuals. There are 2 drop-in centres where meals are provided, one in the Salvation Army Centre and one in the Methodist Church, in Wrexham.

Contact: via Welsh Refugee Council

Welsh Refugee Council

Works to promote and support the rights of refugees and asylum seekers throughout Wales and the UK, providing practical support and advice. Membership is by subscription.

Trinity House

Trinity Street

Wrexham, LL11 1NL

Tel: 01978 363240

Contact: Llion Parry (Project Manager)

Wrexham Islamic Centre

Religious and social information and activities. Islamic study and information.

NEWI

Wrexham LL12 2AW

Tel: 01978 293321

Email: Wrexham_muslims@hotmail.com

Contact: Dr Saphwan Al-Assaf

Links to General local Sources of Information

BAWSO

www.bawso.org.uk

Advice, support and refuge accommodation for black and minority ethnic women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence. Referrals to refuges and other emergency accommodation

Barnado’s

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/whatwedo/community/ethnic/

Barnardo’s has launched a new initiative, which is aimed at raising our profile and the awareness of the work that we do in Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.

Child Support Agency

http://www.csa.gov.uk/

The National Helpline that deals with general enquiries on Child Support Agency legislation and procedures

Cruse Bereavement Care

http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/


One to one bereavement counselling, support group, training

Tel: 01248 354888

5/9 Abbey Road
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2EA

Mind Cymru (National Association for Mental Health)

http://www.mind.org.uk/mind+in+your+area/regions/cymru/index.htm

Mind Cymru has branches in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Pwllheli, Holyhead, Mold and Wrexham. For contanct information to the branch closest to you, call their information line.

National Drugs Helpline

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/26739536/


The National Drugs Helpline offers free advice and information about alcohol, drugs and solvents. You can speak to trained advisors for information about local services and support. Calls are confidential.

National Child Protection Helpline (NSPCC)

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/home.htm

UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.

Phone: 0808 800 5000

Asian helpline:

Bengali: 0800 096 7714

Gujurati: 0800 096 7715

Hindi: 0800 096 7716

Punjabi: 0800 096 7717

Urdu: 0800 096 7718

Asian helpline in English: 0800 096 7719

Relate

http://213.146.144.66/Centre_SXCEAF-A77F6D27.html

Relate offers a wide range of services for couples, families and individuals. Relate supports people through all stages of their relationships and you can access theirsupport on your own or with others, face-to-face, on the phone or on the internet.

Samaritans

http://www.samaritans.org/talk/local_branch.shtm#

Samaritans provides confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You don't have to be suicidal to call. Samaritans are there for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone.

Stepping Stones

http://www.napac.org.uk/support/help_groups/wales.html

Offers group work and individual counselling to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

urban75 drug information

http://www.urban75.com/Drugs/helpline.html

The National Drugs Helpline is a 24-hour, seven-days a week, free and confidential telephone service that offers advice and information for those who are concerned, or have questions, about drugs. The service is available to anyone

Women’s Aid

www.womensaid.org.uk

Dedicated and specialist Outreach Support team to work through issues arising from living in an abusive relationship