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Projects Bridging Change runs several community programmes to support racialised individuals, groups, organisations and communities. Ageing Well Our work with older communities, ensuring accessible support is provided Learn More UOK- Rooted in Wellbeing The aims of this project is to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support for adults Learn More Community Voices Group A community process that works to improve services and experience of our communities in our city Learn More Climate for Communities This project aims to understand the intersections of racial and environmental inequalities Learn More Training/ Infrastructure Building robust support for BRM/ BME communities to grow and thrive in the city Learn More Phoenix Community Trust This project looks at ending structural racism through investment and transformative support Learn More Partnerships and funders

Community Voices Group Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings In 2025, we covered Maternity Services, Racism in Education, Older People’s Health and Wellbeing and Men’s Health. So far in 2026, we have covered Men’s Health and Adult social care as topics. Reports Reports Reports Reports Decision makers (September, 2025) Our 2025 report aimed at decision makers in the Council, NHS and Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector details the Community Voices Group approach to community engagement. Read the report here. Bridging Change NHS Workshop (November, 2023) Learn about the workshop we delivered on health in partnership with NHS Sussex in November 2023 with Black and racialised minority communities in Brighton and Hove. Read the report here. Community Voices (October, 2024) Read the October 2024 report on CVG, which outlines our achievements, feedback from our members and the next steps. Read the report here. Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Interested in joining us? Contact Beth Harrison at Bridging Change, email: hello@bridgingchange.co.uk If you do not speak English and would like to be involved, email: laura@sussexinterpreting.org.uk or call 01273 234016 and leave a message in your language

At Bridging Change we champion for racial equality for Black Racialised Minorities. Have a look at who we are, what we do and current programmes we are part of. See our latest news here Bridging Change aims to create a more equal and diverse society with positive outcomes for Black and minoritised ethnic people. We do this through the building of strong alliances, connections and networks. Programmes Bridging Change runs several community programmes to support racialised individuals, groups, organisations and communities. Ageing Well Our work with older communities, ensuring accessible support is provided Learn More UOK- Rooted in Wellbeing The aims of this project is to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support for adults Learn More Community Voices Group A community process that works to improve services and experience of our communities in our city Learn More Climate for Communities This project aims to understand the intersections of racial and environmental inequalities Learn More Training/ Infrastructure Building robust support for BRM/ BME communities to grow and thrive in the city Learn More Phoenix Community Trust This project looks at ending structural racism through investment and transformative support Learn More

Community Voices Group What is CVG? What is CVG? What is CVG? What is CVG? Community Voices Group Do you identify as Black, brown, Asian or from another language, ethnic or migrant community? Do you want to improve how public services are delivered locally? Do you want the chance to speak directly to representatives from the Council and NHS and get your voice heard? Members of the group attend meetings as individuals or as representatives of a community group they belong to. We meet monthly, either online or in-person, to discuss issues that matter to us and to talk to representatives from Brighton and Hove Council and NHS Sussex about how they can be delivered. Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings CVG Meeting Update If you are from a Black and Racialised Minority group living in Brighton and Hove, Community Voices Group is for YOU. Our April meeting is the start of our Adult Social Care topic where you can speak about your experiences and issues in a safe space with other community members. To join - contact Beth Harrison at hello@bridgingchange.co.uk We look forward to seeing you there Reports Reports Reports Reports Decision makers (September, 2025) A report outlining how CVG works for Decision makers in the Council and NHS Read the report here. Bridging Change NHS Workshop (November, 2023) Bridging Change was awarded a grant by NHS Sussex to deliver a face-to-face, 2.5-hour workshop in November 2023 with racialised minority communities based in Brighton and Hove. The event's aims were two-fold: to close the community engagement loop by feeding back to communities and to engage with the local communities. Read the report here. Community Voices (October, 2024) Read the October 2024 report on CVG, which outlines our achievements, feedback from our members and the next steps. Read the report here. Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Become a CVG member Interested in joining us? Contact Beth Harrison at Bridging Change, email: hello@bridgingchange.co.uk If you do not speak English and would like to be involved, email: laura@sussexinterpreting.org.uk or call 01273 234016 and leave a message in your language

UOK Rooted in Wellbeing Bridging Change have launched our Rooted in Wellbeing project as part of the UOK programme in January 2026. We run monthly drop-in sessions for the Black and racially minoritised community, a space where we offer a person-centred support and a place to connect with others and learn about activities and services that can help with improving your wellbeing. Sessions are every 2nd Thursday of the month. 11am-3pm Our next sessions are (2026): 14th May 2026 11th June 2026 9th July 2026 13th August 2026 10th September 2026 8th October 2026 12th November 2026 10th December 2026 Venue: Conference Room, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, BN1 3XG For more information, please contact: riw@bridgingchange.co.uk or call 01273 234808/ 07395314944 Bridging Change now part of the UOK Brighton & Hove Relaunch offering free wellbeing support for adults  UOK Brighton & Hove has relaunched under a new contract with an expanded partnership of trusted local charities, community groups, and experts. Bridging Change is now part of the relaunch partnership. The aim of this partnership is to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support for adults across the city. Have you or a loved one ever felt overwhelmed and not sure where to turn for help? Do you work with someone who is seeking guidance or support? UOK Brighton & Hove is here to make that easier for everyone, offering free mental health support for anyone aged 18 or over living, working or studying in Brighton & Hove. Led by Southdown our new, expanded partnership brings together trusted local charities, community groups, and experts to connect people with practical advice, friendly activities, and tailored support – whether life feels tough, or you just want to feel better.  UOK brings together a wide network of organisations, making it simple to access useful information, join supportive groups, or get expert advice – including help with wellbeing, debt, benefits and more. For more information about the UOK programme please visit: Mental Health & Wellbeing Support in East Sussex, Brighton & Hove Interested in UOK: Rooted in Wellbeing? For more information about Rooted in Wellbeing contact: riw@bridgingchange.co.uk 01273 234808/ 07395314944

About us ABOUT BRIDGING CHANGE Bridging Change is an independent organisation with the intention of building strong, dynamic and successful Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, communities, organisations, businesses and individuals that are empowered to flourish, free from inequality and discrimination. Bridging Change was established by Nora Mzaoui and Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan who met as fellow elected Community Works Reps, representing Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities in Brighton and Hove. They realised that there was a gap in support and representation of minoritised communities within the community, voluntary and public sector. Bridging Change want to fill that gap. They were driven by the belief that Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic organisations, groups, communities and individuals were strongest when they worked together to challenge systemic barriers. Bridging Change want to see a society where all individuals and communities have equal opportunities and feel valued and a sense of belonging in their locality. What we do BUILDING ALLIANCES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT At Bridging Change we are about relationship brokerage and building up agency in minoritised ethnic groups and organisations. We do this by: facilitating spaces, events and networking meetings focusing on specific issues affecting Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities; co-producing workshops with the Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and decision-makers to discuss, develop and design policy and recognising that social capital and agency amongst minoritised groups, communities and organisations will see agents of change in our city. RESEARCH At Bridging Change, we are dedicated to ensuring that our work is evidence based, rooted on lived experience. At Bridging Change we are about: developing strong links with universities, think tanks and local organisations to produce robust data and reports; developing of a bank of resources for social action and influencing change and improving access to information and data for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities. TRAINING & WORKSHOPS We do this by: creating bespoke training for minoritised ethnic groups to address topics or areas of interest and value providing bespoke equalities, diversity and inclusion training that is sector specific to support allies to examine their practices within their groups and organisations

Other partnerships Introduction Soon to be updated.

Infrastructure Governance Responsibilities of the Management Committee Roles of Officers (also available in Arabic ) Legal structures for community and voluntary groups Constitutions Charity Reporting and Accounts

Upcoming events Event Title Event Time Event Date Change the event description to include your own content. Adjust the settings to customize the style. June 2026 MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN ❗️ Standing Together as One ❗️ You will have seen how local elections in the UK have shown a stronger voice towards far right. Although they might not get a huge vote in Brighton, it seems like the next local elections on June 25th will see more far right voices trying to influence elections. We would like to hold this event in response to the increase in racism, Islamophobia, far-right organising and attacks targeting racialised communities, including the racist far-right march planned in Brighton and Hove on 13 June. Bridging Change has also invited Brighton and Hove Racial Harassment Forum to talk about reporting options, support services and wellbeing strategies when faced with hate incidents and hate crime. We hope this to be a starting space for racialised communities to be heard, build unity in the community and leave feeling more connected, supported and empowered. For more information, contact: development@bridgingchange.co.uk

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Podcasts Talk In Equality Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan and Lillian Ndawula (Ethnic Minorities in Canterbury) explore, with guests, the role of research in addressing health inequalities experienced by minoritised ethnic groups. This series is funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex and supported by the Research Design Service Southeast and Clinical Research Network Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Episode 1: What do community development organisations think? In this episode, guest host Dr Gary Hickey from Agora Digital Centre at University of Southampton, quizzes Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan from Bridging Change, Lillian Ndawula from Ethnic Minorities in Canterbury and Patrick Nyikavaranda from Diversity Resource International. He asks them about their perceptions and experiences of health inequalities experienced by ethnic minority communities and their hopes for increasing the representation of people from ethnic minorities in both the participation and involvement in research. Click below to listen. Episode 3: A perspective from the Health Research Authority In this episode, Anusree and Lillian speak to Dr Matt Westmore, Chief Executive at Health Research Authority. They quiz Matt about the steps taken by the Health Research Authority to increase representation in research and the important role that community organisations can play. Click below to listen. Episode 5: A researcher's perspective In this episode, Anusree and Lillian speak to Dr Ibidun Fakoya, Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London. Ibi shares her experiences of undertaking research with people from ethnic minority communities, emphasizing the importance of developing relationships and the need to take a holistic approach to research rather than focusing on a single illness or condition. Click below to listen. Episode 2: What do funders think? A perspective from the National Institute for Health and Care Research In this episode, Anusree and Lillian speak to Jeremy Taylor OBE, Director of Public Voice at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Jeremy talks about the work the NIHR is doing to increase representation in research from people from ethnic minorities and the importance of engaging with communities and developing trust. Click below to listen. Episode 4: A perspective from the Academy of Medical Sciences In this episode, Anusree and Lillian speak to Simon Denegri OBE, Executive Director at The Academy of Medical Sciences. Simon speaks not only about what The Academy of Medical Sciences is doing to promote the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda, but also developments in other countries. Click below to listen. Episode 6: Reflections In this final episode, Gary Hickey (Agora Digital Centre at University of Southampton) returns as a guest host to ask Anusree, Lillian and Patrick to reflect on their podcast journey, what still concerns them and what positives they can take from the guests they have spoken to. Click below to listen.

BME Infrastructure The report from the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has been deeply disappointing. This report after reflecting on the impact of education, community, health (including COVID-19), employment, crime and policing on minoritised ethnic people concluded that institutional racism does not exist. Bridging Change strongly disagrees with the validity of the findings, its conclusions and the "changing the narrative" motivation which has sought to undermine the experience of racism of minoritised ethnic people in Britain. Whilst reading the report we have chosen not to make a detailed response at this time, as the problematic framing of issues in the report are too extensive to broach here. However, this response will draw on a few of the report's findings. In every area the Commission examined disparity, they constructed imaginative ways to excuse racial or ethnic disparity, suggesting instead that they were due to factors such as: . . . living in a densely populated inner-city area, socio-demographic characteristics (deprivation and occupation) living in larger and multi-generational households. The report also blames poorer outcomes for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people with: poor and/or lone parenting; co-morbidities; counting methods or simply not liking the numbers. The report, for example, describes stop and search figures from Devon (where there are lower numbers of Black and Asian minoritised ethnic people, specifically Black people) as 'skewed' - but the fact remains, not liking the odds does not diminish simple mathematics. Suggesting that the 'national relative rate is not always accurate' at measuring stop and search rates is problematic, it appears in this report 'not always accurate' refers to when facts do not suit the Government's narrative. Whilst the report acknowledges the disparity of maternal deaths for Black (5 times higher) and Asian (2 times higher), it calls for using absolute numbers, as not to do so was 'unfair to expectant mothers everywhere'. Previous commentary have contextualised the figures in terms of per 100,000, in absolute numbers and/or disparity is attempted to diminish the significance and importance of disparity. It does not change the fact the Black women are 5 times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women; Asian and mixed heritage women are almost 2 times likely more likely to die in childbirth than white women. Further, disparity in maternal health is symptomatic of negative outcomes faced by men, women and children from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, particularly those minoritised ethnic people who are not white. Using the highly divisive stereotype of 'model minority' as if this was an antidote to racism is a privileged and uninformed construction of meritocracy. This 'model minority' construction was pitted against other minoritised ethnic people who were constructed as living with family breakdown, being unprepared and demotivated to succeed, as were 'attitudes to integrate'. Both stereotypes are equally damaging in suggesting that one group of minoritised ethnic people are hapless whilst the other minoritised ethnic group simply floats through British life without barriers or experiencing racism. Outrageous still is the polling by British Future for the Commission who heralded their poll as 'encouraging' around perceptions on anti-Black prejudice, which asked respondents if they 'saw a lot' of prejudice against Black people. They asked people who were not Black if there were increased level of prejudice for Black people. The only people who can credibly pass comment on the Black experience of racism is Black people , how can any other ethnic group assume to know how racism is experienced by another ethnic group? The report is constantly looking for creative adjustments, reframing, excusing and attempting to undermine disparity for Black and Asian minoritised ethnic people. The report is outrageous in its findings, in its bid to 'change the narrative' and to conclude that institutional racism does not exist is astonishingly inaccurate, premised on creative, misleading evidence and lack academic rigour. At Bridging Change we will focus on the reality of instititional and systemic racism and move away from the Commission's misleading conclusion in its attempt to 'change the narrative'. We want to reclaim the narrative which acknowledges the impact of the 'hostile environment' and the disproportionately negative impact and outcomes for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people in the the UK.