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. Find our upcoming events here 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

Resources Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Discover our September 2026 bulletin here ! For past newsletters, click here . Discover how we’re making an impact. Listen to our thought-provoking podcasts , read our latest reports , and stay informed about upcoming events and news .

Infrastructure Past newsletters Discover our August 2026 newsletter here ! More can be found about May's newsletter here ! More can be found about March's newsletter here. More can be found about December's newsletter here. More can be found about May's newsletter here. More can be found about July's newsletter here . Please see more about the BRM Network Newsletter for October 2025 here .

Events & News Bridging Change are reflecting on the issues that impact Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people in Brighton and Hove. Here you will find news, events we are organising as well as featured articles, publications and reports. Join our team: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKER for Brighton and Hove Black and Minoritised Ethnic Infrastructure Network Do you share a vision of a ‘by and for’ BME infrastructure for BME community groups and organisations in B&H? We are looking to recruit a worker who has a passion and commitment for building on this vision. The Project Development Worker will develop a BME infrastructure network to ensure BME groups and organisations can become sustainable, thrive and become more resilient by building on their strengths and skills as well as tackling the needs and gaps identified. To apply please complete the application form and Equality and Diversity monitoring form and send it to bridgingchange@outlook.com by 5pm on 21st January 2025 . Please note: there has been an amendment to the salary banding for this post. Project Development Worker Job Description Application form Equality and Diversity monitoring form Join our team: PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER for Brighton and Hove Black and Minoritised Ethnic Infrastructure Network Do you share a vision of a ‘by and for’ BME infrastructure for BME community groups and organisations in B&H? We are looking to recruit a worker who has the skills, passion and commitment in supporting the project development worker in the development of a BME infrastructure network. To apply please complete the application form and Equality and Diversity monitoring form and send it to bridgingchange@outlook.com by 5pm on 21st January 2025 . Please note: there has been an amendment to the salary banding for this post. Project Support Worker Job Description Application form Equality and Diversity monitoring form VCSE Alliance Newsletter July 2024 Bridging Change's very own Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan features in the July 2024 issue of the VCSE Alliance Newsletter. Read the newsletter here. Community Voices Group Upcoming meetings: Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Topic: Older People's Health and Wellbeing See the flyer here Bridging Change, in partnership with the Hangleton and Knoll Project, Sussex Interpreting Services and the Trust for Developing Communities, invites you be part of the Community Voices Group, please click here for more information. We also have this information in different languages, please contact us directly about this. Please email hellobridgingchange@outlook.com for more information . Sewell Report Runnymede Responds Runnymede hosted a snap event to discuss the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities' findings and why it has failed to address structural and institutional racism in the UK. If you missed it, catch it on YouTube Bridging Change Opinion Read Bridging Change's response to the Sewell Report here. Brighton and Hove becoming an anti-racist city The council has pledged to be an anti-racist council. Brighton and Hove City Council has said that they will work in partnership with Black and Minority Ethnic people including council staff, residents and community groups to directly shape our anti-racism strategy through their lived experiences and diverse perspectives. You can find out more from their website .

The Phoenix Way The Phoenix Way The Phoenix Way is a community-led initiative to improve socio-economic outcomes for Black & racially minoritised communities across the UK. Led by The Ubele Initiative and supported by Global Fund for Children, it is a grant-making initiative aimed at transforming Black and racially minoritised communities. It was established in partnership with six Regional Leads (Yorkshire & Humber, South West, North West, North East & Cumbria, Midlands and London & South East) and with the support of several new UK funders, including The Youth Endowment Fund and the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. Empowering Black and racially minoritised organisations through transformative funding and support The Phoenix Way is a community-led initiative to improve socio-economic outcomes for Black & racially minoritised communities across the UK. Led by The Ubele Initiative and supported by Global Fund for Children, it is a grant-making initiative aimed at transforming Black and racially minoritised communities. It was established in partnership with six Regional Leads: Yorkshire & Humber South West North West North East & Cumbria Midlands London & South East and with the support of several new UK funders, including The Youth Endowment Fund and the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. At Bridging Change, our intention is to build 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. We do this through the building of strong alliances, connections and networks.  We are working in partnership with The Phoenix Way to offer Black and racially minoritised-led organisations and groups training and support to make them stronger from within and to help them to thrive. Have a look at our free online Infrastructure training programme . For organisations in Kent and Brighton and Hove, we will also be organising networking events in early Summer 2026. Interested? To find out more and join our mailing list, contact: hello@bridgingchange.co.uk projects@bridgingchange.co.uk Find the upcoming Infrastructure training here: The next Infrastructure training date is the 29th of April 2026 Click here to find future dates. For more information contact: development@bridgingchange.co.uk

Podcasts Talk In Equality (Transcipts down below) 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. Transcripts Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6

Events Upcoming events September October November Gather and Grow (50+) Programme Date: Tuesday, 1st of September (monthly) Time: 12:30-15:30 Venue: Leach Court, Park Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, BN2 0DE Our monthly sessions (for 50+) continue at Leach Court. A chance to connect and build friendships. Interested? Please contact community@bridgingchange.co.uk Rooted in Wellbeing Programme Date: Thursday, 10th of September (monthly) Time: 11:00-14:00 Venue: Plot 22 As part of the Climate for Communities programme, this monthly wellness session will be outside at Plot 22 with an opportunity to connect with nature and get support. Interested? Please contact: riw@bridgingchange.co.uk Community Voices Group: Annual Feedback meeting Programme Date: Tuesday, 15th of September Time: 18:00-19:30 Venue: Online (Zoom) Our annual feedback meeting to help decide future topics and improve CVG. Interested? Please contact hello@bridgingchange.co.uk Our Seaside, Our Community Programme Date: Wednesday, 23rd of September Time: 11:00-15:00 (two sessions) Venue: Hove Lawns by the beach Join us for an inclusive day with a beach clean and talks about the climate. Interested? Please contact projects@bridgingchange.co.uk Training Programme Date: Thursday, 24th of September Time: 10:30-12:30 Venue: Online (Zoom ) Training to evaluate, manage and overcome challenges in developing partnerships. Interested? Please contact development@bridgingchange.co.uk Gardening Session Programme Date: Thursday, 24th of September Time: 11:00-14:00 Venue: Plot 22 An outdoors session with the opportunity to learn more about nature and mindfull gardening Interested? Please contact projects@bridgingchange.co.uk Update coming soon Update coming soon

Infrastructure Past training

Community Voices Group What is CVG? What is CVG? What is CVG? What is CVG? 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

Membership CONNECT WITH US If you are interested in becoming a networking member or would like to support us as an ally, please fill in the membership form .

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.

Events & News Bridging Change are reflecting on the issues that impact Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people in Brighton and Hove. Here you will find news, events we are organising as well as featured articles, publications and reports. Join our team: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKER for Brighton and Hove Black and Minoritised Ethnic Infrastructure Network Do you share a vision of a ‘by and for’ BME infrastructure for BME community groups and organisations in B&H? We are looking to recruit a worker who has a passion and commitment for building on this vision. The Project Development Worker will develop a BME infrastructure network to ensure BME groups and organisations can become sustainable, thrive and become more resilient by building on their strengths and skills as well as tackling the needs and gaps identified. To apply please complete the application form and Equality and Diversity monitoring form and send it to bridgingchange@outlook.com by 5pm on 21st January 2025 . Please note: there has been an amendment to the salary banding for this post. Project Development Worker Job Description Application form Equality and Diversity monitoring form Join our team: PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER for Brighton and Hove Black and Minoritised Ethnic Infrastructure Network Do you share a vision of a ‘by and for’ BME infrastructure for BME community groups and organisations in B&H? We are looking to recruit a worker who has the skills, passion and commitment in supporting the project development worker in the development of a BME infrastructure network. To apply please complete the application form and Equality and Diversity monitoring form and send it to bridgingchange@outlook.com by 5pm on 21st January 2025 . Please note: there has been an amendment to the salary banding for this post. Project Support Worker Job Description Application form Equality and Diversity monitoring form VCSE Alliance Newsletter July 2024 Bridging Change's very own Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan features in the July 2024 issue of the VCSE Alliance Newsletter. Read the newsletter here. Community Voices Group Upcoming meetings: Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Topic: Older People's Health and Wellbeing See the flyer here Bridging Change, in partnership with the Hangleton and Knoll Project, Sussex Interpreting Services and the Trust for Developing Communities, invites you be part of the Community Voices Group, please click here for more information. We also have this information in different languages, please contact us directly about this. Please email hellobridgingchange@outlook.com for more information . Sewell Report Runnymede Responds Runnymede hosted a snap event to discuss the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities' findings and why it has failed to address structural and institutional racism in the UK. If you missed it, catch it on YouTube Bridging Change Opinion Read Bridging Change's response to the Sewell Report here. Brighton and Hove becoming an anti-racist city The council has pledged to be an anti-racist council. Brighton and Hove City Council has said that they will work in partnership with Black and Minority Ethnic people including council staff, residents and community groups to directly shape our anti-racism strategy through their lived experiences and diverse perspectives. You can find out more from their website .