Black Networking Group

The Group has agreed to use the word “Black” as a political expression.  It refers to Asian, African and African Caribbean and other visible minority ethnic people who share a common experience of racism or racial discrimination in the UK.  By defining ourselves as Black we are referring to our own collective experiences in resisting, challenging and surviving racism.

The aim of the group is to reduce the isolation felt by many black and minority ethnic people who live and work in rural communities in the far South West of England.  Personal and group support is offered via a  network of individual members and connected supportive networks.  It is dependant on individual members personal expertise, time commitments, professional and life experience.  Separate regular group meetings for support and for business are organised in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset; the frequency in each is dependent on need.  Members undertake work for the group on a voluntary basis.

The group send out a regular newsletter to keep members informed of activities, training, conferences, information, anti-racist activities and sources of advice. The group currently (July 2002) has 131 members, including 28 in Cornwall County, 21 in Exeter City, 14 in Devon County, 54 in Plymouth City, and others as far apart as Bristol/Somerset/Gloucester/Dorset.   Many members are involved with other groups such as The National Civil Rights Movement, Trade Union Black Self-Organised Groups, local Race Equality Councils, etc.   Information of interest to members is passed on via the Newsletter and e-mail newsgroup.  Contributions to the Newsletter are always welcome from members.

During school holidays Children and Family Activity Days are organised for black, mixed race, and other visible minority ethnic children to get together in a safe supportive environment to have fun, share activities and time with each other.   Parents and carers have the opportunity to network.  These are very popular events and white parents and carers of black children are particularly welcome to attend.

The family days give children and carers positive contact with others having similar experience.  Having an impact on addressing a sense of isolation and vulnerability, they contribute towards self and community identity, raise levels of self esteem and confidence, and provide opportunities to share information and knowledge of anti-racist strategies or just simply learn creative skills.  Until the needs of Black and minority ethnic people are met by the statutory agencies, black self-development is the only effective means of providing what we need.

The group aims to promote, develop, evaluate and uphold, from a Black perspective, policies and practices affecting public sector employees, trainees and users of public or private services.  The Group is used in a consultative capacity by, and works in partnership with, many statutory bodies.  Currently such organisations as Plymouth & District REC, Plymouth City Council Anti-Racism Taskforce, Devon County Council, Devon & Exeter REC, Intercom, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau, Plymouth 2000 Partnership (SRB) Ltd, Cornwall Library Service, and Local Schools and Social Services Departments.

The BNG has a Library of books, periodicals, and materials, and a database held on one of the two group computers allows members of the group to borrow materials as required.  The widest range of materials and resources are kept and categories include:- Anti-Racism, History, Health, Equal Opportunities, CRE and other publications, Law, Training,  specimen policies etc.etc.