About
Background and History
The formation of JUST Lincolnshire has been driven by a number of key factors; from the identification of a significant need within the county for an organisation working at grass rootls level and in partnership with other equality, diversity and human rights voluntary and community sector organisations (VCS) currently operating within the county. A paper was produced early in 2008 presenting the different options for the future of Equality and Human rights within Lincolnshire, the paper advocated for the formation of a single equality and human rights organisation operating on a strategic level within the county to unite and benefit all organisations and communities targeting the different strands of equality and the wider social disadvantage community agenda. The paper demonstrated that partners felt the equality infrastructure in Lincolnshire was disjointed, inconsistent and disparate, focussing only on single issues. Furthermore the groups that did exist provided a wide range of support but had limited access to sustainable funding and varying degrees of expertise. Individuals were often left without an easily accessible source of support and equality was poorly understood within the county, both within the VCS and in the public and private sector.
Having considered the various options in the paper, the Lincolnshire Community Cohesion Partnership was asked to take forward discussions about establishing a single organisation. This preferred option was confirmed through initial research with equality groups which showed that 78% of respondents strongly agreed with having a single equality organisation. The biggest challenges for equality in the county were identified as lack of awareness, lack of resources, lack of access to different groups and lack of leadership.
Consultation was held with a 78% of those canvassed voicing support for the development of a single platform organisation for Equality and Human Rights within the county. A steering group was established in December 2008 tasked with taking forward the development of the ‘Lincolnshire Equality and Human Rights Council’ which is now known as ‘JUST Lincolnshire’.
Voluntary sector representatives on the group brought forward proposals in April 2009 about how this might happen and these were shaped and developed and then agreed by the steering group. A three year funding proposal was submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission requesting £450,000 as part of an overarching setup and project budget for the three year period of this Business Plan. The funding proposal was submitted by Lincolnshire YMCA as the lead partner for a consortium of partners who constitute the founding members of JUST Lincolnshire. For the purposes of the funding proposal and until JUST Lincolnshire achieves full charitable staus as an incorporated charity (expected to be by the end of August 2010), the YMCA will remain as the accountable body for the new organisation.
It transpired that the Equality and Human Rights Commission granted part funding amounting to £222,534. Although this was half the amount requested sufficient impetus had been gained to continue to establish JUST Lincolnshire with a slightly amended business plan using match funding and contribution in kind from many of the partnership agencies.
JUST Lincolnshire was registered as company number 7194863 on 18th March 2010 and registered as a charity 1138050 on 15th September 2010.
Board of Directors
David Millar (Chair - Independent LGB&T Consultant )
Barry Fippard (Lincolnshire Association of People with Disabilities)
Chris Burke (Voluntary Sector Manager)
Nigel Howells (Chief Executive, East Lindsey District Council)
Elaine Claridge (Independent Diversity Advisor)
Emma Krasinska (Lincs County Council Community Engagement Manager)
Jasmine Sahunta (Lincolnshiure County Council Performance Manager)
Cannon Andrew Vaughan (Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services)
Una Thomas (African & Caribbean Support Group)
The JUST Lincolnshire Board may comprise up to 15 members and strives to provide an appropriate balance of skills and diversity to ensure the Board reflects the makeup of the community it seeks to serve.
Officers
- Paul Elliott - Chief Executive Officer
- Wesley Shelbourne - Outreach Worker
What We Do
The scope of activity that JUST Lincolnshire is involved in includes:
- Developing a shared knowledge base which will be used to give advice and signposting, outreach work in communities, be a single point of reference and contact for individuals and organisations in Lincolnshire who have any connections with the Equalities and Human Rights fields.
- Providing strategic advice, support, training and development of the Equality & Human Rights Agenda in Lincolnshire.
- Proactively facilitating the reporting of Hate Crime, formation of a county wide Hate Crime strategy and identify appropriate support for victims of discrimination.
- Developing partnership working with Government, Local Authority and Voluntary sectors in relation to tackling Hate Crime issues across all the Equality strands.
- Engaging with the public sector to provide advice, scrutiny, ensuring accountability for the duties they have under the Equalities and Human rights field.
- Providing a training and education service which will include analysis and the definition of key target areas, carrying out positive campaigning, awareness-raising, providing training and public relation facilities for individuals, groups and voluntary organisations.
- Building supportive relationships with marginalised communities and individuals to celebrate cultural diversity, and to promote community cohesion.
- Carrying out research, analysing the causes & effects of inequality in Lincolnshire, working in partnership with other research organisations to share resources and data so as to identify and address gaps in service provision.
- Supporting members to develop their effectiveness by providing advice and signposting on funding, administration, financial and performance management.
Download Just Lincolnshire Annual report 2010/2011
