Where: Dialogue Society, 5 Birch Road, Sheffield, S9 3XL
Date: 30th January 2015
Time: 11:00

Speaker:

• Keith Levy, Voluntary Action Sheffield

Abstract

Part of the Dialogue Society Connecting Communities Circle project, this event will focus on the identities, history, interests, and challenges of different communities in Sheffield. The informal discussion will bring together representatives of local communities and Dialogue Society staff and friends. Keith Levy from Voluntary Action Sheffield will discuss different charity structures and possible grants for the community and will give his perspective on different communities in Sheffield focusing on the following topics: history, family, education, business, and cultural groupings/divisions.

Introduction to Connecting Communities Circle

The Dialogue Society’s Connecting Communities Circles project aims to build an understanding of and connections between different ethnic groups in London (particularly in Islington and surrounding boroughs).

The project will consist of a series of informal discussion events or ‘circles’. Initially, each event will focus on a different ethnic group represented locally. A panel of five speakers belonging to that group will be invited to talk about topics related to the community’s history, identity and particular interests and challenges. The main topics proposed for discussion will be:

• History
• Family
• Education
• Business

Cultural groupings/divisions within the ethnic community

Speakers will be invited to talk for around 15 minutes each. Other members of the community in question will be invited to attend, along with Dialogue Society staff and a small number of interested contacts. The group will be small (approximately 15 people) and the atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and informal. Seating will be arranged in a circle to facilitate conversation. Refreshments will be provided.

The initial events will build participants’ understanding of different ethnic groups and lay the foundations for collaboration and for future initiatives bringing different groups together.

Aims and Objectives

• To build an understanding of and relationships with different ethnic communities in London, and particularly in the local area
• To lay the foundations for new connections between different communities
• To enable the Dialogue Society to respond better to the interests and concerns of those communities in designing and promoting its projects
• To inform further initiatives to make fruitful connections or address community issues, (for example, inter-communal events or helpful introductions)