Vision
Anyone with an ethnic background lives safely on the Wirral, free from discrimination and racial injustice, with equal and fair access to universal services, and can fulfil their aspirations.
Mission
We give our service users a voice, celebrate their diversity, promote multiculturalism and help address racism, supporting anyone with an ethnic background to live harmoniously together and with the wider community.
We tackle inequalities by providing professional, social and culturally-sensitive services that improve the overall health and wellbeing of people with ethnic backgrounds living here on the Wirral.
We interpret, translate and advocate for them – in particular the most vulnerable – to give them equal access to health, social care, universal benefits and education. We advise on any professional service that someone might need at any time in their life.
We also act as an inclusive community hub for social events, cultural functions and leisure activities.
Values
Respect
We treat everyone equally and with respect, celebrating and valuing diversity and difference while, at the same time, encouraging integration within the communities.
Partnership
We work closely with partners, collaborating, and supporting them to meet common goals, especially to address complex, long-standing problems experienced by our service users. By giving our service users a voice, we ensure their needs are at the heart of all partnerships.
Quality
We work to standards set by service level agreements and are committed to providing the highest possible professional service, including maintaining safe and confidential spaces for our service users and staff.
Caring
We treat all of our service users with kindness, compassion and empathy and are known for being approachable and welcoming.
History
The concept of a multicultural centre on the Wirral was born in 1986 when Asians, Chinese and the Vietnamese jointly applied for government funding with the help of Wirral Borough Council. It led to the formation of the Wirral Chinese Association and the Vietnamese Assocition, while the Wirral Asian Assocation developed independently. The then education department at Wirral Council applied for government funding and was successful.
Wirral Multicultural Organisation (WMO) was established as a company limited by guarantee and as a registered charity in 1993 to oversee the development of a multicultural centre.
Later, in 2002-03, thanks to some European funding, WMO added childcare and training facilities to its services.
Demand for what we do has increased considerably over the years. Since April 2009, we’ve been visited by people from more than 49 different ethnic backgrounds and have helped people aged between one week and 97 years old.
