Where do you go if you have concerns about local service, or other issues affecting your area?
BCAF supports local people working together to identify concerns, those who can influence decision making and then agree on actions to address them. BCAF has Working Groups focussing on issues around Adult Learning and Refugees and Asylum Seekers, whose work in the last year is described below.
A third, Transition Burngreave, a group focussing on how our area will adapt to Climate Change and Peak Oil meets on the 2nd Tuesday in each month at the BCAF office. (for more information see http://www.transitionsheffield.org.uk). Groups on issues around Health and Older people are expected to reform in the near future.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Working Group
In 2008 the RASM Working Group:
Produced an Audit of support services available to Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants in the area.
Responded to Government consultation papers, and campaigned against deportations policy at a local and National level.
Improved links with Sheffield City Council and Primary Care Trust for news of the latest developments in demography and legislation.
The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month 3.30pm – 5.30pm at BCAF Adult Learning Working Group
The Adult Learning Working Group
(ALWG) an open group for anyone living or working in the area interested in Adult Learning and skills, has over the last year :
Produced the Burngreave Adult Learning opportunities booklet
Made decisions on the spending of the Burngreave allocation of the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities Grant.
Produced an up-to-date list of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and English conversation classes
Increased access to local Childcare Training.
Produced the Burngreave Adult Learning, Skills & Employment Plan.
The Adult Learning Working Group meets monthly on Thursdays 1.30 – 3.30pm. Contact BCAF for dates of meetings. Get in touch if you have any questions about these groups, want to join one or start up a new one on an issue important to you.