CREST

CREST (Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside) was initially established in 2004 through Home Office funding to address the issues of race inequality, and to encourage community cohesion, partly in response to The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000) that placed a new duty upon public institutions to promote race equality. We are embedded in our community working to address multiple and hidden barriers experienced by BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic) people of all ages including social isolation, health inequalities, digital exclusion, financial hardships, racism, long-term unemployment, challenges for new entrants to the labour market, lack of language, skills and knowledge, overall inequality of opportunity in the job market, in civic and civil life.

Based in South Shields town center we serve some of the most disadvantaged wards in Tyne and Wear, the 10% most deprived 25 LSOA 25% including Crossgate, Station Road and Riverside Ward where 57% of South Tyneside’s BAME population live. We are situated within Beacon and Bents Ward and South Tyneside. South Tyneside is 001A LSOA (neighborhood).

We work in consultation with BAMEs (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic) including asylum seekers and refugees and service providers to address, resolve issues and develop new innovative solutions that meet the community needs.

We provide a full program of diverse activities, ranging from Information Advice and Guidance, training, health and well-being, social activities workshops, one to one session in different community settings for all ages which improve connectedness, opportunities, wellbeing, reducing isolation and hardship. Our work is delivered through collaborative approaches with multiple partners and overall, we thrive to achieve cultural awareness, through engagement, training and events creating greater understanding, promoting positive change, building cohesion to achieve a stronger and actively engaged community.