About Diversity Resource International (DRI)

Welcome! In this page, you can get to know more about Diversity Resource International (DRI) 

Founding

Mebrak Ghebreweldi and Yaa Asare founded DRI in 2004 in Hastings in response to waves of displacement from Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and several African conflicts. Hastings was then, as now, an area of high deprivation where new migrants faced hostility and racism.

 

Our purpose 

Our purpose is to reduce health inequalities, exclusion and injustice in the South East of England by strengthening the voices and wellbeing of ethnically diverse communities and ensuring their lived experience influences policy, services and systemic change.

 

Our mission

DRI works with ethnically diverse communities and partners to turn community voices and lived experience into evidence, meaningful action and lasting change through a person-centric approach across community development, community-led research, health and wellbeing support, training, and collaboration.

 

Our vision

A fairer and healthier society where ethnically diverse communities are valued, connected and able to shape the services, systems and decisions affecting their lives.

 

Why we need to act

DRI is one of only a few organisations that holistically cater to a wide range of ethnically minoritised communities and their needs.

On average ethnically minoritised communities make up 1/10 of local populations with 11.1% living in East Sussex and 15.8% living in West Sussex. Brighton and Hove specifically, make up of 26%.

Our policies

We are committed to contributing positively to the communities we work in, promoting an ethical way of working. Please find relevant policies described below.

We help people from migrant and culturally diverse communities to access the services they need.

We can help you to develop their skills and confidence to achieve your goal – be it:

  • getting a job
  • supporting your community,
  • getting a qualification
  • work experience
  • starting a new business.

DRI was set up in 2004 and is a social enterprise based in Sussex. Our range of skills and knowledge allows us to offer consultancy and training services that are:

Inclusive

Our experience shows that organisations thrive when the people who work in them feel involved and valued

Empowering

We help people build the skills and the confidence to fulfil their potential, wherever they are and whatever they do.

Empowering

We create a healthy environment where people feel safe enough to explore issues and experiences in an honest way and move forward

Long Lasting

We enable people to develop their skills independently, so they continue to grow long after our coaching has finished.