Community Training and Resource Centre Special Edition STORY SO FAR Since our last newsletter, BMECP has sought funding from the Big Lottery Fund in order to support the fitting out of a within the New England Quarter development near Brighton Station with facilities in which to provide the services and activities to meet the needs of the diverse BME groups and individuals.   The purchase of a 160 years Lease for the core and shell of the ground and 1st floor premises within the New England Quarter development near Brighton Station and the new Sainsbury’s will be funded through ring fenced SRB6 funds.   The Community Training and Resource Centre will provide the facilities that are needed to be more effective in delivering services and activities to beneficiaries.   The facilities will include:   v     Flexible meeting rooms v     Seminar Rooms v     Affordable office space v     Flexible office space with 'hot desking' facilities v     Shared office services v     A community cafe v     Crèche facilities   Key staff will be recruited for the centre and these will include, Centre Manager, Administrator and Caretaker.  These key staff will work closely with other current development staff within BMECP to deliver a seamless and efficient service to the beneficiaries.   Specific services and activities which have been determined through consultation with the BME communities during the past 4 years will be provided from the Training and Resource Centre.   Once the Centre is fully functional, it is expected that BMECP will be working in partnership with other organisations some of whom will be based at the Centre to directly target community needs with long-term positive impact.   The following will be provided from the Centre:   1. EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS START UP RELATED SERVICES a) Provision of relevant and BME specific employment-related training and support, including: -Vocational training -Basic literacy and numeracy, including ESOL -Advice and support on completing application forms -Preparing for interviews, including self-presentation, building confidence and  self-esteem -Advice on managing the transition to employment, including time management and    working in teams -Advice on dealing with rejection -Access to computers for training and to search for jobs -Access to information on local job vacancies. b) Liaising with other organisations to ensure that job vacancies are disseminated in the appropriate media in order to reach all members of the community. c) Provision of information, advice, space and support relating to business start up.     2. INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA TRAINING a) Provision of training and learning space with a network of computers with specific languages, software and audio visual/photographic software. b) Media training, including digital video recorder in music and dance activities c) On site training and support for local community groups d) Public access to computers and the internet e) Space for people, including refugees and asylum seekers, to use ICT in accessing relevant information, advice, guidance and support in education, health, housing and legal matters, etc.     3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) BMECP will directly support and capacity build community groups, thereby enabling them to improve sustainability, and deliver a more effective service to their communities. b) Individuals and groups will be helped to participate in decision making processes that affect their lives. c) Provision of relevant training associated with volunteering: including support to individuals considering participation on steering groups, partnership boards, Boards of Governors etc d) Provision of space and support to existing community groups to meet and conduct business e) Support facilitating the formation of new community-led groups.     4. CULTURALLY RELEVANT CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, TRAINING AND EVENTS a) Organising relevant Conferences, Seminars and Events to share experiences and learn from each other. b) Events to inform educate and promote social cohesion. c) Promote participation and involvement by community members to reduce isolation. d) Provide an opportunity for artists to develop ideas, and access opportunities for art specific businesses. e) Provision of specific training programmes to benefit individuals and community groups     5. DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS TO INFORM APPROPRIATE SERVICE PROVISION a) Undertaking the necessary research and consultation to establish need and dissemination of findings to relevant bodies. b) Assisting other organisations in consulting with BME people by highlighting the barriers to consultation, and acting as a link between clients and service providers. c) Service providers to use the Community Training and Resource Centre to consult with BME groups and individuals about their services and make a link. d) Provision of relevant training and support to promote anti discriminatory practices and race equality in service provision. e) Provision of base for professionals to offer necessary advice and support on health issues. f) Organisations with specific knowledge of refugee and asylum seeker issues will be encouraged to use office facilities within the Community Training and Resource Centre to offer these services       It is proposed that the Training and Resource Centre will be operational by January 2007. For this to be accomplished a two phase process will need to be undertaken concurrently, and the key events and milestones are listed below. These dates are approximate and we have allowed a couple of months at the end of the project for any unforeseen circumstances.     PHASE 1: SITE DEVELOPMENT   May/June 2005    SEEDA sign off SRB investment and Heads of Terms/Lease agreed April/July 2005   Completion of development agreement with the Developer July 2005             Nine months construction on site begins and a deposit paid to the Developer Aug 2005             Eight monthly payments paid to the developer March 2006        Construction complete, hand over of core and shell to BMECP. April 2006          Final payment paid on satisfactory completion.     PHASE 2: FITTING OUT   April 2006             Final Plans for internal design and services completed May 2006             Fitting out Work begins on site November 2006   Completion of work     Overall, it is aimed that the activities and services delivered from the Community Training and Resource Centre will enable BME people and Refugees and asylum seekers groups and communities to be more socially inclusive and active members of the wider Brighton and Hove community in the long term.    Back to top