In 2009, we receievd Big Lottery funding for a 3 year Diversity Support Project, which built on work we had been doing since 2005. As part of this project, we established the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum (HIEF). The Big Lottery funding ended in June 2012, but Action Hampshire kept the HIEF going until 2015. Unfortunately the Forum lost steam at that point and stopped meeting, but Action Hampshire are hoping to re-establish it – please get in touch if you were involved in the HIEF back in the day, or want to get in touch now! Click this link to email us!
The Forum’s impact over its first 3 years…
The Forum united organisations, individuals and networks from a range of communities and special interest groups – including those relating to race, disability, gender, transgender, age, sexual orientation, religion and belief. Marginalised communities had an increased voice and influence at a strategic level, e.g. relevant partnerships and local policies and practice. This was been achieved through Forum events, but also with Forum members being referenced more often by statutory bodies through consultation and community engagement activities.
Importantly HIEF has:
Influenced service providers; raised awareness of and highlighted issues facing diverse communities such as hate crime and barriers to employment; became the first ‘first port of call’ for equality and diversity matters across Hampshire.
