HEAR works to place equality and human rights issues at the heart of the work of London's voluntary and community sector (VCS). We do this by acting as a strong pan-equalities voice and source of knowledge and expertise on issues impacting on the VCS.

HEAR is the London network of equalities organisations and acts as a strong pan-equalities voice and source of knowledge and expertise on issues impacting on London's voluntary and community sector

London Voluntary Sector Council (LVSC) has had a seat on HEAR since 2006 and is an essential forum through which we can show solidarity with and support for London's equalities sectors.

As a generic organisation LVSC benefits from participation in HEAR for:

• sharing best practice on equalities
• understanding the challenges that equalities groups face
• developing and improving generic services that are accessible to and appropriate for equalities groups
• celebrating equality and diversity.

The funding for HEAR, London's network of equality organisations, has come to an end and we have been unable, as yet, to secure future resources. We will therefore sadly lose our paid worker and Women's Resource Centre will no longer host the network.

The need for a network of equalities organisations, working together with mainstream organisations, has never been more acute.

In order to keep the network alive and able to meet, LVSC will 'hold' the network until we can raise future funding or until an equalities organisation can be found to host the network.

LVSC will work closely with HEAR steering group members and in particular Race on the Agenda (RoTA) to deliver four member-led bulletins and convene four meetings of the steering group between July 1st 2011 and March 31st 2012.

Vivienne Hayes of Women's Resource Centre will remain as Chair and Tim Brogden from LVSC will be the main point of contact - tim@lvsc.org.uk

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