October saw a series of Community Fairs happen across the county in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

The fairs have been deemed a success due to impressive visitor numbers to each event and positive feedback from residents who attended the fairs. In total 1119 residents attended the three events.

The Community Fairs are designed to allow us to engage with our Black and Ethnic Minority Communities who we recognise we need to involve more actively in council services.

Around 18 information stalls were at each event representing services including Waste Challenge, Plug & Play, Social Care and Sustainable Travel. Partners of Worcestershire County Council were involved with the Fire Service, Police Service, Wyre Forest District Council and the Primary Care Trust also having information stalls.

Information was available to take away, officers were on hand to answer questions and many stalls were also running competitions at each of the busy events.

The Community Fairs attracted a large number of people from diverse backgrounds and as well as the stalls there was face painting, story telling, henna hand painting and refreshments on offer.

Contact Centre Manager, Jon Mcleary, a stallholder on the Worcestershire Hub stand said, “The events went really well and the team on the hub stall engaged well with a variety of people to explain what we do. We also gained some interesting feedback on how we could better publicise the hub and its functions to people”.

Rukhsana Koser, Corporate Diversity Manager and organiser of the Community Fairs said, “I am delighted with the success of this year’s Community Fairs. There was a really good atmosphere at each event with both residents and stallholders giving positive feedback. The support BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities have shown towards the events has been very pleasing”.

You can find out more about these events by calling Rukhsana Koser, Worcestershire County Council's Corporate Diversity Manager, on 01905 766938.