Welcome to York Racial Equality Network

York Racial Equality Network (YREN) is a voluntary organisation and registered charity based in York. We aim to promote awareness of the needs of black and minority ethnic (BME) and other people in the York area by developing links with appropriate voluntary and statutory agencies and by encouraging a multi-agency approach to race justice issues.

What we do

One of YREN’s main roles is to promote and encourage community cohesion:

• so there is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all;
• where the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued;
• in order that those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities;
• to develop strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds and circumstances in the workplace, in schools and in neighbourhoods.

We provide independent, impartial information and mutual support to people who are experiencing racial harassment, victimisation, discrimination or isolation.

We also provide information and resources for individuals, organisations and the community as a whole on race equality issues; and run various projects.

YREN Projects

YREN is currently involved in the following projects:

York BME Citizens and Groups Open Forum

The Open Forum aims to:

• Give BME groups and individuals the opportunity to express and discuss any issues affecting their lives.
• Inform service providers - statutory, voluntary, community or private - of the needs and issues identified at the Open Forum.
• Provide opportunities for consultation between statutory and voluntary organisations and the BME population.

Active Elders Group

York has the third fastest growing population of any city in the UK, resulting in significant demographic changes. Part of YREN’s development, with the support of the City of York Council and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has been to accommodate our much valued elders, with the formation of an Active Elders Social Group. This usually meets on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month.

Rural Voice Project

This project is supporting voluntary and community groups in remote rural areas of North Yorkshire by:

• improving access to support services;
• signposting groups to specific training and resources;
• giving voluntary and community groups a means to influence the local, regional and national policies which affect them.

http://ruralyorkshire.org.uk/project/north-yorkshire-rural-voice

Enabling and Empowerment Community Outreach Project

This six-month pilot outreach project is primarily, but not exclusively, available to BME individuals and groups within the City of York. Its prime aims are to identify gaps in services and to enable those members of the community that are not aware of, or have not had the opportunity to access, existing services within the City, to do so. In this way, service providers will have the chance to hear at first hand the empowered view of members of previously under-represented communities. This will lead to opportunities to address the issues detailed in the City of York Council Ward Priorities and improve community employment and volunteer prospects.

Equalities Forum

Still in the early stages of development, this is a local forum for professionals in the field of equality, coordinated by YREN, for an open discussion of experiences and the sharing of common approaches and actions. There will be the opportunity to feed into strategic work within the City of York.

YREN Events

20th Anniversary Events

2012 marks our 20th anniversary. A number of events are taking place to celebrate this special occasion, including a joint event with other local organisations also in their 20th year to be held in St Sampson’s Square, York on Friday 25th May. Contact us for further details of this and other forthcoming anniversary events.

York International Shared Meal

This annual event is held in celebration of One World Week, which aims to enable groups at a local level to work across boundaries such as culture, ethnicity, gender and creed, and to recognise that we are part of one world in combating inequality and discrimination.
This year, it is being held on Saturday 27th October at the Central Methodist Church Hall, St Saviourgate, York, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm. The meal, which is open to all and followed by entertainment, is organised by York Baha’i Community, York Interfaith and York Racial Equality Network.