Black-led social impact organisations operate in an environment of structural inequalities and a brand new report by Centre Black explores the lived experience of management and staff at Black-led impact organisations within the UK’s voluntary sector. In 2022 Centre Black conducted a study in conjunction with the Coalition for Efficiency to explore the lived experience of management and staff at Black-led impact organisations within the UK’s voluntary sector. The report found that Black-led impact organisations with majority Black* staff and management have personal experience of the challenges and issues they are looking to resolve in their local communities. The lived experiences of Black staff and management helps establish trust and better support their local communities which is reflected in the key outcomes of these organisations. However the report also found that Black-led impact organisations have largely negative experiences with funders with little or no consideration given to their experiences or insights. Many of the Black-led organisations featured in the report believe that the involvement process is tokenistic with funders placing little value on lived experience. 'This report outlines the growing disconnect between mainstream funders, local authorities and local service providers. It stands to highlight the important role intermediary funders like Common Call play as connectors between leaders with lived experience and mainstream funders. When this work is done well, impact at the grassroots level is assured.' - Bayo Adelaja, Do it Now Now CEO.
The report makes eight key recommendations to funders and the wider voluntary sector community which includes placing more value on the lived experience of impact organisations and encouraging Black-led impact organisations to build stronger relationships with local MPs and councillors. This is a ground-breaking report which aims to make a tangible difference within the voluntary sector space in the UK. *Black being defined as those with African and Caribbean ethnicity or mixed with Black. Comments are closed.
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