About Us

Who are we?
CHAWREC is a voluntary organisation and a registered charity (No.1088019) funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission, Capacity Builders and local authorities in the area.

Please feel free to download our most recent leaflet (PDF) about our services. If you would like us to send you some leaflets to display please contact us.

Our objectives are to work towards the elimination of racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of differing racial groups.

Our Standards
The REC endeavours to provide an efficient, friendly and professional service to everyone who seeks its assistance. To this end we offer the following guarantees:

●If you leave a telephone message we will respond to your call the following day
●If you write to us we will acknowledge your letter within 14 days
●If you bring a case to our attention then we will keep the details confidential and will not provide any information to any outside individual or organisation without your express permission
●If you are not happy with our service then there is a complaints procedure that you can use

What do we do?
We offer a variety of different services all designed to help us to meet our key objectives. Our work falls under 4 key areas, but we will also undertake projects that complement the work we already do, such as consultancy and training and our BME Consultation Panel

1. Policy Development
We help organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to implement best practice policies that promote race equality. We provide advice on a whole range of practical issues including positive action, cultural diversity, legal obligations, race equality schemes and ethnic monitoring. Please note some of these services are chargeable.

2. Public Education
Part of our role within the area is to raise awareness of race issues and implement appropriate strategies to prevent racial harassment and discrimination. We work with a variety of groups to help tackle racist incidents such as the community safety partnerships and local strategic partnerships. We also distribute information across the area about race issues, including posters and leaflets as well as undertaking presentations to different groups about race equality in Cheshire.

3. Community Development
We have a dedicated community development service, with experienced community development workers who will provide free advice and assistance to BME and Faith organisations in the area. The types of services we can offer are:
●Advice on setting up a new community organisation
●Helping to apply for charitable status
●Training for committee members
●Help to understand business plans and funding strategies
●Help to identify funding opportunities and apply for them
●And lots more!
We also have facilities available for groups to use at minimal cost like meeting rooms and photocopying.

4. Casework
We offer a free, independent and completely confidential race discrimination/harassment service, which includes representation at Employment Tribunals. If you think that you may of been discriminated against because of your racial origin then we can advise you on the best course of action and the merits of your claim. Sharon or Pamela, our caseworkers can be e-mailed or you can phone her on 01244 400730, for more information please see the casework page.

Consultancy Work and Training
We offer a wide range of chargeable services around equality and diversity which complement our core services, please see the consultancy and training page for more information.

Training-We can provide training on a wide range of issues and topics including:
●Equality impact assessment procedures
●Equality legislation and requirements
●Equal opportunities
●Best practice in recruitment
●Cultural awareness

Consultancy:
We can supply detailed advice around all areas of equality and diversity and help implement those recommendations. We have experience of conducting equality audits mystery shopping and research on difficult to reach communities.

BME Consultation Panel
We organise a BME Consultation panel, which has around 250 panel members from a range of BME backgrounds across the area of Cheshire. We are able to organise focus groups, panel sessions, postal and one to one consultations on behalf of agencies to ensure that the needs of BME individuals are being considered