Hi Guys
I think NRAS is a wonderful charity and great resource for people with RA. HavingJust seen the stuff about the Birmingham Center by Keek, it
made me wonder what the stats were for RA and ethnic background ( not sure how Id find this out) and whether the organisation carries out equal opps monitoring and has inclusion policy.)
Does any one else have any thoughts /views on this subject?
Fiona
xxx
i am curious how many non europeans are affected.. dont know what the stats are//, but it could be interesting to find out?
Hi Fiona, yes very interesting I would like to know that too.
mand xx
Hi Fiona
Certainly food for thought re equal opps
I think that BARC sounds fantastic, wish there was something like that closer down here (North Devon). The NRAS brings so much together,information, fund raising for research, focal point for new and not so new diagnosed
Perhaps they will see this and advise?
Julie x
NRAS are developing a programme to bring in a wider group of people and in particular those from minority/ethnic backgrounds. It's something that was mentioned when I went down to the Bolton meeting last month and is part of their plan for the next five years. I can't remember the stats but almost certainly as things stand the membership is made of mainly white brits and little else. I'm pretty sure it was said that other groups are affected similarly.
Clare at NRAS will have more info on this I think.
Lyn x
PS They have lots of plans afoot for the coming years ... amazing stuff, they really work so hard for us all 
I agree lyn. Where can we find details of the 5 yr plan? Is it on the NRAS web site somewhere? How are the funds doing for the organisation? My charity which is a really large one is noticing the effects of the current climate and cuts etc. I am really grateful to the individuals who got the whole thing going. there is so much info, advice and research info to hand isnt there. None of that comes without dedication and hard work and commitment.
We would be happy to do some research for you and provide relevant statistics regarding RA in ethnic groups. We work collaboratively with BARC (Birmingham Arthritis Research Centre) who provide information for ethnic groups in that area as well as Birmingham City Hospital who have done some excellent work in this area. We would like to do more to address some of the issues which challenge BME communities, however funding is the driver here. The cost of providing all our materials translated into different languages would be huge and we know from our friends in Birmingham that many of the older communities do not read in their mother tongue, so we believe that much will need to be done in regard to creating audio visual material, DVDs, podcasts, etc. in the most common languages. But all this requires funding which we do not currently have.
In regard to equal opportunities and diversity, we do indeed operate such a policy which is as follows:
The Society is an equal opportunities employer. It is our policy to treat all employees and job applicants fairly and equally regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, disability or union membership status. Furthermore, we will ensure that no requirement or condition will be imposed without justification, which could disadvantage individuals purely on any of the above grounds. This policy is in accordance with the various codes of practice and relevant legislation.
The policy applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment. The Society will regularly review its procedures and selection criteria to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and otherwise treated according to their relevant individual abilities and merits. The Society is committed to the implementation of this policy and to a programme of action to ensure that the policy is, and continues to be, fully effective.
The overall responsibility for the policy lies with the Society; however, all employees are required to comply with the policy and to act in accordance with its objectives so as to remove any barriers to equal opportunity. Any act of discrimination by employees or any failure to comply with the terms of the policy will result in disciplinary action which may result in summary dismissal.
Any member of staff may use the grievance procedure to complain about discriminatory conduct. If the matter relates to sexual or racial harassment then the harassment policy should be used. The Society is concerned to ensure that all staff feel able to raise such grievances and no individual will be penalised for raising such a grievance unless it is untrue and made in bad faith.
I hope this is helpful, but please do email me if I can be of further assistance and if you would like us to get some statistics for you.
NRAS is currently updating its 5 year plan for presentation to the Trustees at the next Board meeting in June, once it has been approved by the Trustees we will make a summary available on the website.
Lynn Love,
Director of Operations, NRAS
Thanks Lynn- thats a a comprensive and encouraging response.
I would like to find out particularly about my local area- if thats possible.
There used to be a video on the Barc page your could watch, but since the site update it seems to have gone, it features Prof Bacon (who set up Barc) he said that RA is just as prevalent in other ethnic backgrounds, and I know that the Professor himself does a lot of wonderful work in India, setting up a similar organisation to barc over there too.
this is getting to be an interesting thread.......going to have a look !!
thanks
I hope that everyones getting fair access to resources because this is such a
nasty thing to have to deal with. Theres quite alot published about how to be an inclusive organisation. Now we are getting a bit political ( Oops)
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