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Welcome to the Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales (BVSNW) website

BVSNW is an umbrella organisation that actively represents, supports and promotes the interests of the BME communities and the BME voluntary sector in Wales.

Background

BVSNW was formed as a direct result of the continual search by ethnic minority groups and communities for a solution to the prejudice, discrimination and racism they experienced. These communities expressed their concerns about the failure of local, regional and national bodies to represent their needs and interests. Concern also centred around being marginalized and having no input into local and national agendas. In 1993 as a direct response to these concerns, the Black Voluntary Sector Working Groups (BVSWG) was set up. Its remit was to work towards the development of a Black Voluntary Sector Strategy. After further consultations with community groups and individuals, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, The Welsh Office and Councils for Voluntary Services, BVSNW was officially constituted and launched in1997.

Strategic Objectives

  • Raising awareness of the needs of the Black Voluntary Sector Communities.
  • Building the capacity of the Black Voluntary Sector.
  • Develop the membership of the Organisation.
  • Represent, support and campaign for Wales’ BME voluntary organisations, community groups, volunteers and communities in Wales.
  • To play a strategic role to incorporate the needs of BME communities within policy and strategy.

BVSNW’s Policies

Coming soon

In implementing its strategies, BVSNW aims to be:

Positive Creative
Professional Realistic
Responsive & Caring Inclusive
Accountable Accessible

Our work is based on:

  • Reflecting local needs across Wales.
  • Local and national strategies for development and regeneration.
  • Effective communication and links with local people, groups and agencies.
  • Partnerships with other groups and agencies wherever possible.
  • The principles of Equal Opportunity and promotion of the value of diversity .
  • Value for money.
  • Creating networks.
  • Consultation to enable effective representation

Working in Partnership

We work closely with the Communities First Support Network to engage in a range of diversity projects and to promote equalities across the board.

BVSNW aims to engage with organisations in the black voluntary sector and work in collaboration with other agencies to enhance and promote cultural diversity across Wales, please see our projects section. For further information on current partnership working, please contact any of the BVSNW team members for your area of interest.

Consultancy and Training

As part of BVSNW strategic objectives we offer tailored made training and consultancy to meet the needs of individual organisations or departments whether in the voluntary, private and public sectors.

We offer:

  • Cultural diversity and race equality training.
  • Consultancy on engagement and participation of BME communities.
  • Tailor made packages for individual organisations on issues regarding race equality and diversity.
  • Capacity building, training and action planning for BME groups.
  • Consultancy support for research and mapping exercises relating to BME communities in Wales.

Click to view examples of programmes on promoting right to participation and promoting equality and valuing cultural diversity.