The Lewisham Civic Leadership Programme 2011

Following the success of the first programme, the Lewisham Civic Leadership Programme is now in its second year with 40 BME individuals on the current programme.

The OBV and Lewisham Council Civic Leadership Programme was launched in 2009, with the aim of addressing the under-representation of Lewisham's Black and Minority Ethnic individuals within areas of civic and political life.

The Programme looks at the following five different areas of public life:

• Education
• Health
• Voluntary and Community
• Criminal Justice System and
• Politics

The programme will involve a mixture of observation and training sessions, designed to give participants the confidence, knowledge and capacity to become more active within public life and help address the deficit of minority ethnic individuals within UK's public institutions.

Twenty-five participants took part in the 2009 programme using their skills to become more active within the community or to take public office. Some of the highlights of the first scheme include:

Fay Scott. Member for the Office of Qualifications and Examination Regulation: OFQUAL - an appointment that was made by the Secretary of State for Education
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Jenni Steele. Chair of a Safer Neighbourhood Panel in Lewisham
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Mervyn Adon-Wint. Conservative local election candidate 2010
(another 4 members also stood in the 2010 local council elections)
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Verna Bradford. Board member for Race on the Agenda
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Commenting on the achievements of the first programme, Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: "I am very pleased we have made such a positive start to this innovative programme. I know there is lots of talent out there in Lewisham and I am confident this programme will very quickly reveal that and help people develop the skills and confidence they need to make a real difference to our communities."

Following the success of the first programme, the Lewisham Civic Leadership Programme is now in its second year with 40 BME Lewisham residents on the current programme.

2009/10 scheme participants observe the workings of the Bellingham Safer Neighbourhood Panel.

Top banner picture: Scheme graduates pictured above with Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock

Here are some useful links

http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/search-lewisham-leaders
http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/change-must-happen
http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/search-lewisham-leaders
http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/haiti-help-raise-funds-needy-children
http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/good-time-volunteer