Dacorum residents invited to webinar about COVID-19 impact on Hertfordshire’s black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Residents are being encouraged to attend a webinar exploring the impact of coronavirus on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Hertfordshire on Friday, October 9.

The webinar, from 5pm till 6.30pm, has been set up by Hertfordshire County Council in collaboration with the Hertfordshire Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network.

It will feature guest speakers including Jim McManus, director of public health at Hertfordshire County Council; Kate Belinis DL, chair of Herts Equality Council; Reynold Rosenberg, chair of Herts Inter Faith Forum; and Enoch Kanagaraj, chair of the One Vision Project.

Cllr Linda Haysey, chair of the Community Reassurance Cell (CRC) of Hertfordshire’s Local Resilience Forum and Leader of East Herts District Council, will introduce the session.

The CRC carried out a survey which called for community leaders, groups and other representatives to share how they had been impacted by coronavirus. The findings showed that further support for BAME communities is needed in Hertfordshire.

Cllr Haysey said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had an enormous impact on all of our lives but, in particular, on our BAME community.

"I would encourage as many people as possible to attend this webinar as it is an opportunity for Hertfordshire residents and organisations to come together and talk about how we can support all members of our communities.”

Public Health England also published a report earlier this year on the impact that coronavirus is having on the BAME community, and the findings of this report will be discussed at the webinar.

Jim McManus, director of public health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “It is our absolute priority to continue to protect and support all communities in Hertfordshire throughout this pandemic, so we’d like as many people as possible to join the webinar.

"It would be great if residents of all ages could join, as it will be a valuable chance to talk about many of the important issues that people are facing every day, such as following the guidance to stay safe, looking after our mental health when self-isolating and making sure residents have the help they need to get food or vital medication.”

Kate Belinis, chair of Herts Equality Council, said: “COVID-19 has had a terrible effect on BAME people's health and wellbeing as well as raised serious concerns about unemployment and mental health. We need to hear your concerns, and together we can work better to develop support.”

To register for the webinar, email [email protected].