Testimonials

I've had the opportunity to work with Dawn and EMA Solutions on rolling out a programme of Equality Impact Assessments and Equality Act 2010 training to our Members, senior officers and team leaders. It was a pleasure to work with such knowledgeable and experienced professionals who addressed an emotive subject with the appropriate balance of legislative insight and practical application.

Feedback from the courses delivered reflect the professionalism and subject knowledge of Dawn. Her extensive knowledge of the public sector has been particularly welcomed to bring relevance to discussions and a sharing of best practice among the sector. Alison Lewis, Equality and Diversity Officer, City of Lincoln Council.

I work in consortium with other registered housing providers to provide a resident training event twice a year. Up to eighty residents attend each training event which provides a choice of five workshops of between 12 and 20 delegates. EMA Solutions have been a regular facilitator to our training workshops covering such topics as Drafting Newsletters and Publicity, Understanding Equality and Diversity, Inspecting Your Landlord, Residents as Auditors and Co-Regulation and Scrutiny. Delegate’s feedback from the workshops has been consistently high, they like the pace of the workshops, they like the knowledge and understanding of the trainer and they like the supporting material provided. EMA Solutions have been an important contributor to raising the confidence, capacity and knowledge of our residents to be involved in the business of our organisation. Mike Collis, Western Challenge Housing Association

Oxford City Homes initially commissioned EMA Solutions to deliver an Equality Impact Assessment workshop, which also covered Equality & Diversity governance and best practice. Dawn De Coteau gave OCH staff a clear focus and the confidence both to undertake and build in responsibility for the EIA process. Follow up workshops enabled OCH to produce a robust EIA three-year programme, breaking it down into realistic annual cycles. Surgeries dealt with a range of issues including consultation methods, focussing on existing structures and getting them as representative as possible, and reviewing the first phase of EIA work.

EMA should be commended for their practical approach and common sense guidance to keep things simple. Their ongoing role as a "critical friend" to Oxford City Homes has been invaluable and enabled the group to take a corporate lead and be fully committed to the EIA agenda. Oxford City Homes, Equality Steering Group

EMA provided training sessions in such a way that they suited the needs of each attending delegate and sessions were well paced, relaxed and informal. Interest was maintained throughout the day as delegate feedback has shown the facilitator to have a good sense of humour, knowledge and experience which was second to none, together with a wide range of anecdotal information and experiences which helped gain a better understanding of the training subject being discussed Manager for Tenant and Leaseholder Involvement, Nottingham City Homes

Welwyn Hatfield Council has undertaken a number of contractual assignments within Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. The company was appointed to develop a training programme on undertaking Equality Impact Assessments and most recently have acted as Consultants in helping the Council shape its revised Equality and Diversity Scheme with the ultimate goal of achieving Level 3 of the Equality Standards for Local Government. At all times I have found the company very diligent and the services they provide very effective and efficient. I would not hesitate in recommending EMA to other companies. Addy Olubajo, Head of Human Resources, Welwyn Hatfield Council

Peterborough Primary Care Trust have used EMA Solutions for training staff on conducting Equality Impact Assessments. We found the organisation and its staff knowledgeable, flexible and able to assist staff in developing an approach to impact assessments that challenged the way in which disadvantaged groups are sometimes viewed. EMA worked with senior managers to identify organisational blockages and devised a programme that was aimed at equipping staff with an appreciation of the wider implications of current Legislation and how it can be practically applied. The training included the need to review policies, strategies and functions. I would have no hesitation in recommending EMA for this type of training/consultancy. Ken Fairbairn, Senior Contract Manager, Peterborough Primary Care Trust

I did one of EMA Solutions' all day courses and the trainers were excellent. They had all the answers to questions from students about implementing the new skills being learned. The most impressive thing about the trainers, was that they exuded confidence on a subject (Race Equality Impact Assessments) that even the Commissions in the various equalities strands had not really grappled with at the time.

In addition to being the ultimate professionals on their subject matter and delivery, they were considerate and courteous (almost gentle with us - this, I was not expecting!). A lot of times when you go on courses, under the guise of getting student involvement, the course leaders 'duck out' by requiring the students to come up with all the answers themselves. Not so with Dawn De Coteau's organisation. They led all the way, but still involved us in the action - they were sure of what they wanted to say and said it well. Another thing, EMA Solutions provide really good back up support! Rosco Jones - Director - Bath & North East Somerset Racial Equality Council

EMA Solutions have worked with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council on a range of diverse projects. EMA initially provided Impact Assessment training for a number of key staff, and subsequently provided briefings and workshops for chief officers of the council to identify strategic priorities which would facilitate the integration of equalities into the delivery of our core business. More recently, EMA have been contracted to set up a Black and Minority Ethnic - Key Strategic Partnership to sit within Doncaster's Local Strategic Partnership framework, and have gone on to deliver a capacity building programme to the newly formed KSP, along with relevant business support and advise.

EMA Solutions have delivered a quality, professional service on each occasion. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to others. Lisa Watchorn - Performance and Innovation Unit - Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Best course I've been on - Thanks Eka Nowakowska - Stroud District Council

I found the policy section in the afternoon most helpful Caroline Eberdt - Brighton & Hove PCT

I learnt ideas about how to modify and improve our current approach Simon Manson - Dudley MBC

The impact assessment tools were very helpful Coleen Knox - South Tyneside Health Care Trust

The action plan and case study gave an opportunity to apply the learning Lorraine Samuels - Manchester City Council

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