Aragon residents reflect on other cultures
Following the success of a similar day held in February 2006, Aragon hosted a black and minority ethnic (BME) awareness session on Wednesday 6 December 2006 as part of the annual customer training programme.
The day, which was well attended by Aragon residents, opened with a talk by Gill Cook, Aragon’s Research & Development Officer, who outlined Aragon’s policies on BME and related issues. Gill explained the classifications used in the most recent Census. She also outlined how Aragon played a leading role in the BME Accommodation Needs Study for Bedfordshire, in partnership with the Housing Corporation and other housing associations in the area, to address the needs of BME families. From this, a forum was established to take forward the recommendations from this study, and in which Aragon plays an active role. Gill also compared BME statistics nationally, regionally, in Mid Beds and within Aragon’s staff. She updated the group on how BME groups are represented at Themed Customer Panels, at Customer Committee and at Board level.
After the talk, everyone enjoyed refreshments before visiting the Amaravati Buddhist Temple in Great Gaddesdon, near Hemel Hempstead. The Venerable Amaranatho, a trainee monk at the Monastery, gave the group a tour of the Monastery, and informed them about the Buddhist faith. At the end of the session, the group took part in a short meditation session, and had the opportunity to ask questions of the Venerable Amaranatho on Buddhism and what being a Buddhist involved. The journey home was reflective, with people remarking: “the temple was enlightening” and “the Monastery was fantastic”.
The general consensus was that the day was very interesting and informative. Due to its success, more events of this kind will be planned for the future, to raise awareness of different cultures and allow more customers to benefit from the experience.
