An opportunity for women to shape future cohesion policy and strategy across Lancashire organisations

As part of the development of the community cohesion strategies for both the Lancashire Community Cohesion Partnership and Lancashire County Council, the county council is co-ordinating the Lancashire Women's Voices programme with the following aims and outcomes:-

Aims

Encourage Integration across communities
Raise awareness of cohesion issues across Lancashire
Dispel and bust myths about different cultures
Build respect and trust of people
Develop an understanding of communities and people from different backgrounds.

Outcomes

Women’ views from all backgrounds fed in to future Lancashire strategies and policies
Findings from programme to help shape and develop networks, consultations and research
Opportunities identified for future project developments.

Six events are to be held during February and March 2011 and these focus groups will consist of approximately 30 women - 15 from the local area and 15 from a visiting area.

I am looking for the participants to be from all backgrounds and cultures from across Lancashire. Do you know of any individuals young/old/mothers/neighbourhood spokeswomen/ employed /disabled/unemployed/community representatives etc who you think would enjoy participating in this interesting focus group approach. We want to work with a diverse representative group of Lancashire women.

Please could you let me have contact details of anyone who you think would enjoy being part of this opportunity. Please share this request with your colleagues and networks. Or just pass on their details to me and I will contact them direct. 
The dates scheduled for the focus groups are:-

9th February Preston/Ribble Valley, Cabinet Room B, County Hall, Preston.
16th February Ormskirk / Skelmersdale, Chapel Galleries, Ormskirk.
23rd February Pendle/Rossendale, Wilson Room, Nelson Town Hall.
2nd March Fylde/Wyre/Lancaster, Poulton Community Centre
9th March Chorley/South Ribble, Chorley Library
16th March Burnley/Accrington, Town Hall, Burnley. (To be confirmed)

As we can only accommodate 30 women at each session please can you respond ASAP or at the latest by Friday 7th January 2011. For the visiting group either travel costs will be reimbursed or transport provided. There will of course be refreshments throughout the day.
Please contact me for more information or clarification.
Best wishes Pam

Pam Smith, Policy Officer, Community Cohesion, Policy Unit, Lancashire County Council, County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ

E-mail pam.smith@lancashire.gov.uk Tel: 01772 735923