The Diversity Links forum has been set up to ensure we engage and consult effectively with all community and support groups representing the diversity of our customers. It also ensures the services we provide meet the needs of tenants and residents in Sandwell.

Membership of the forum consists of representatives from a number of community and voluntary organisations who have agreed to work with us and who currently appear on our Diversity Links database.

Any organisation that provides support to specific groups of people who would like to contribute to equality and diversity issues around housing is welcome. At present the organisations on our diversity links database represent the following equality groups: disability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, transgender and age.

Diversity Links will act as a development group for Sandwell MBC on all equality and diversity issues within the services we provide, and as such may request and receive reports and presentations on corporate equality and diversity issues.

The forum will also give organisations the opportunity to gain knowledge of our services and policies.  An annual Diversity Links forum event is held to ensure that positive dialogue is maintained between the organisations and Sandwell MBC.

The group is supported by the equality team, who co-ordinate and facilitate any events or contact made with the organisations.

Members will next meet at an annual Diversity Links Forum Event.

If you would like to know more about the Diversity Links forum or if you are interested in presenting at future meetings, please contact the equality team on 0121 569 6030 or 6384.