BMEEN Somerset County Council
What is BMEEN?
BMEEN was founded in 2000 in response to the need for an internal support group for Black and minority ethnic employees and its membership is on a voluntary basis.
The Strategic Management Board, the Corporate Equalities Champion and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Inclusion and Access support BMEEN at corporate level.
BMEEN is also represented on the Equalities Steering Group, the Equalities Implementation Group and the Fair Treatment Group, which each have a role for implementing, monitoring and reviewing SCC's action planning in line with the Corporate Equalities Plan.
BMEEN meetings are generally held on a 4–6 weekly basis and at present take place mainly in Taunton.
Aims and Objectives of BMEEN
- To offer support and networking opportunities to members;
- To provide a forum in which to discuss racial equality issues;
- To assist the organisation in building effective methods of consultation
and communication;
What Support Can I Receive?
BMEEN is not a professional counselling service, but it provides its members with
- informal support and advice;
- a safe, welcoming and understanding environment where they can discuss
racial issues and share experiences;
- signposting to where further help can be found (internal/external support
groups and policies etc);
- opportunities for informal networking and, from time to time, social
events outside of work.
- To ensure the views of Black and minority ethnic employees are represented;
- To challenge institutional racism;
- To assist with the development of policy initiatives regarding both
employment and service delivery to bring about positive cultural change
at Somerset County Council.
BMEEN’s Achievements
BMEEN has played a key role in a number of equalities initiatives
across the County Council and has contributed towards the development
of
- The Race Equality Scheme;
- The Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Policy;
- The Recruitment and Selection Code of Practice;
- The Anti Racist Working Party;
- diversity consultation within the community;
- links with diversity training for managers;
- partnership working with SREC (Somerset Racial Equality Council).
