Press Release - 18 April 2004

Celebration dinner for successful Regen Matters Network

More than 40 people from Leeds, Huddersfield, Halifax, Wakefield and Bradford attended a seminar and dinner to celebrate the success of a pioneering local initiative that encourages individuals from ethnic minorities to serve on decision-making bodies.

The Regen Matters Network is a 3-year project run by QED, the national charity dedicated to improving the economic and social position of disadvantaged South Asian communities. The project is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and aims to bring enthusiastic individuals, who want to make a difference to their community, together with regional policy-making bodies so that they can be involved with the decisions directly affecting their communities. QED offer a supportive mentoring and networking service giving advice and guidance to those who require it and members receive regular bulletins informing them of opportunities and news.

The event marked the recruitment of over 60 members from South Asian communities who will apply to sit on policy making boards, trusts, strategic partnerships and committees because they want to have a say in how their community is run.

Speaker for the evening, Mohammed Ajeeb CBE, Chair of the Bradford Primary Care Trust, said, "I fully recognise the importance of participation in decision making, irrespective of religious and cultural background ... I urge people to seek involvement and engagement with different organisations"

Commission for Public Patient Involvement Regional Manager, Iqbal Bhana, commented, "there are serious issues that need resolving and people should look for opportunities where they can help to shape the future of this vital health service"

QED recognise that whilst many skilled individuals, such as business people, headteachers and doctors, want to be involved with the decisions that shape their communities, they lack guidance and confidence in sitting on policy-making bodies. They plan to run training seminars when experienced mentors can offer advice and guidance to new members.

QED services to members include:

• Weekly bulletins containing opportunities and vacancies from the home and cabinet offices and local authorities.
• Support and guidance in how to conduct oneself when participating in a strategic decision-making organisation
• Mentoring and training

QED were delighted to sign up 10 new members on the evening and are keen to recruit many more individuals who really care about the decisions that affect their communities.

For further details about the event please contact Mohammed Ali, OBE on 01274 483267