Agenda item - Black & Racially Minoritised Health Forum

Discussion of establishing a local Black & Racially Minoritised Health Forum (verbal).

55 BLACK & RACIALLY MINORITISED HEALTH FORUM

55.1 This item was presented to the board by Nora Mzaoui and Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharen, the founders and directors of ‘Bridging Change’. Slides were shown to the board, and they stated that they are a Local, Black racialised minority (BRM) organisation with the main aims of tackling social and health inequalities that a lot of BRM communities are facing, as well as strengthening the BRM community and voluntary sector.

55.2 Nora Mzaoui stated that that they have been doing work around infrastructure in order to build up organisations. ‘Bridging Change’ have provided training, advised organisations on equality, diversity and inclusion, and have been championing BRM experiences and bringing them into conversations. They further stated that they have worked with a wide range of partners and funders.

55.3 Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharen highlighted to the board some of the health and wellbeing focused projects they have undertaken and their successes. They also shared the broad number of health topics covered through the projects that they run, as well as a brief run down of the various organisations, boards, and assemblies that they sit on.

55.4 Dr Sasidharen added that there was previously a BRM Health Forum in 2009 that was led by the Black & Minority Ethnic Community Partnership. They stated that this was a space for statutory community organisations and individuals and operated as a sharing space for local intelligence, projects, and activities, as well as to raise awareness of health programmes. They further offered some suggestions to the board to consider moving forward.

55.5 Councillor De Oliveira commented, thanking the presenters and stated their surprise that a forum for BRM health had once existed but no longer does. They stated a wanting for something of this nature to return and invited comments from the board.

55.6 Councillor Miller commented that they agree that this is something that is needed and asked why it stopped previously. Dr Sasidharen responded stating that it stopped due to a lack of funding and didn’t have clear or real connections with the NHS. Councillor Miller responded stating that we need clear structures in place and clear lines as to who would need to be involved in such a forum.

55.7 Tom Lambert (Chief Executive of the Carers Centre) asked a question on whether there would be an appetite from minority groups across the city to bring representation to such a forum. Tom further asked if there is a role in a forum such as this to address matters that particularly effect migrant and refugee communities or is this a big enough issue that it should have a separate forum on its own. Nora Mzaoui responded stating that it depends on what the offer is with respect to attendance and that attendees would need to feel it was something worth coming to. More structure would likely generate more interest.

55.8 Stephen Lightfoot (Chair of NHS Sussex) stated that they agree that this is something that is needed and that a ‘talking shop’ should be avoided and that it’s important to hear from the lived experiences of those who wish to participate. To this end, they said that NHS Sussex would like to participate.

55.9 Councillor Burden expressed their thanks to the presenters and echoed that it is a shame that this had existed previously but no longer does. They stated that a half-day session would be welcomed to talk through this in greater detail.

55.10 RESOLVED – That the board note this item and work further to develop the idea of a new BRM Health Forum, with a report to be brought back to a future meeting for consideration to Cabinet.

The meeting concluded at 7.47pm