Equality and Diversity Matters In Mid Sussex

From the High Weald on the Surrey border to the South Downs, the district of Mid Sussex is at the heartland of some of the most beautiful rural countryside in England. Within this gentle rolling landscape nestle enchanting sleepy villages and hamlets, ancient churches, peaceful village greens, spacious commons, woodlands and waters that abound with wildlife - quintessential rural England. With only 3% of the population categorised as BME probably the last place you would expect to find a Diversity Forum or a hugely successful multicultural event. So how and why did this come about?

Mid Sussex, in keeping with the rest of the UK, has people from all cultures and ethnicities living and working in its three towns, and their associated necklances of villages, however, not in the numbers of neighbouring urban areas such as Crawley, which has many community groups to support its diverse communities.

Mid Sussex District Council's Community Development Officer, together with colleagues from the Council for Voluntary Service (EESI Project Workers') and the County Council had become aware that more and more small community groups were being established reflecting the changing ethnic population. However, due to the rural nature of Mid Sussex, the support needs of these groups were largely unknown, so it was decided to hold an event, with the aim to tease out some of the diverse community groups and offer support.

A small working party was established which included representatives from the statutory and voluntary sector, together with community leaders from the known mulitcultural groups - and from this small nucleus, the Local Global Mid Sussex event was born. Mid Sussex District Council agreed to cover the costs of the venue hire and additional funding was found from Sussex Community Foundation.

The free Local Global event held in March thsi year was a celebration of all cultures that make up the Mid Sussex community. Local community groups, representing many different cultures, provided exotic flavours as part of a mouth-watering buffet. In a packed hall in Haywards Heath, the audience was taken around the world with cultural dances, songs and music performed by residents from the Philippines, South Africa, India and Kenya. The finale performance came from pupils from a local Primary School who sang songs including, 'I'd like to teach the world to sing'. The event was an overwhelming success full of passion, pride and enthusiasm.

Whilst still at the planning stage of the event, it became apparent from the community group leaders that the establishment of an organisation, which could act as a platform to provide advice and information to support the different communities in Mid Sussex, would be of enormous benefit to their groups and members. With funding from Mid Sussex District Council, Mid Sussex Diversity Forum was established to promote communication, interaction, understanding and cohesion between all sectors of the community.

Although still at the development stage, amongst the many aspirations for the Diversity Forum will be for it to hold information about the various multi-cultural organisations in Mid Sussex, publish a newsletter, sign-post new arrivals to community groups, foster an appreciation of the rich diversity of cultures, become a 'What's On' to list all the many festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year and co-ordinate activities.

To maximise the impact, Diversity Forum was formally launched at the Local Global event and it will grow in strength bringing communities together in Mid Sussex.

What has been learned? That population statistics are more than just numbers, they represent people who live and work in rural England whose voices need to be heard and cultures understood.

Lin Parkinson, Community Development Officer, Mid Sussex District Council.