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: Tuesday, 15th 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: Tuesday, 15th 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

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. Upcoming events Find our upcoming events here . 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

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. 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.

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

Meet the team What We Offer 01 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 03 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 05 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 02 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 04 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors. 06 Service Name This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to edit the content and make sure to add any relevant information that you want to share with your visitors.

Reports Emergency Food Access Project This study describes the experiences of a small cohort of Black racialised minority (BRM) people in Brighton and Hove, who are accessing food provision in the city. Read the Emergency Food Access Research Project report here. My Life in Brighton A series of facilitated coffee mornings that, encouraged Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people to discuss their experience of living and working in Brighton and Hove. Read the My Life in Brighton report here. Reaching Out: growing our understanding of the researched In 2022, Bridging Change conducted two, in person, workshops for Black Asian and minoritised ethnic leaders and individuals in Brighton and Hove. The workshops aimed to capture their experience of health and social care research including challenges, barriers and the benefits of working in partnership with researchers. Read the report here. Adur and Worthing Councils Minority Communities Engagement Report This report was produced on behalf of Adur and Worthing Council as a part of the Contain Outbreak Management Fund. It represents a snapshot of the lives of minoritised ethnic respondents that engaged with this project within a relatively short time span and before the 2021 census. The individuals and groups taking part were keen to share their stories, ideas and frustrations. This research is a starting point of a journey into engagement to connect with the minoritised ethnic communities of Adur and Worthing. It provides suggestions of processes of future engagement and ideas generated by the community we spoke to. Read the report here. Vaccine Equity Project A report providing a snapshot of 20 people who identified as Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic and who were able to share their experience of COVID-19 vaccines. Read the Vaccine Equity Project report here. Reaching Out: building relationships to increase research impact Since mid-2020, Bridging Change has been working with National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) partners in the southeast of England, along with community groups serving Black, Asian and minoritised communities. This led to the development of an online ‘Reaching Out’ event in June 2021. Read the report here. The NHS, COVID – 19 and Lockdown: The Black, Asian, Minoritised Ethnic and Refugee Experience in Brighton and Hove In July 2020, Trust for Developing Communities and five partners: Sussex Interpreting Services, Hangleton & Knoll Project, Voices in Exile, Network of International Women and Fresh Youth Perspectives, surveyed 310 people from Black, Asian, minoritised ethnic, refugee and migrant communities in Brighton and Hove to find out about their experiences of the NHS, Covid-19 and lockdown. Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan led the research which was funded by Sussex NHS Commissioners. Read the report here. Healthwatch report on digital technology among ethnic minority elders Bridging Change was involved in research in partnership with Healthwatch Brighton and Hove on ‘Understanding the use and attitudes of digital technology among ethnic minority elders in Brighton and Hove’. Bridging Change recruited and facilitated interviews and focus groups and aided with the development of the topic guide. The research was funded by the NIHR Clinical Research Network in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Read report here .

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.

Climate for Communities Introduction Bridging Change are excited to be part of the Climate for Communities project. Funded by the National Lottery, the Trusting for Developing Communities have been awarded £1.3 million over a 3-year period to empower unrepresented groups in Brighton and Hove. Us along with the 17 other organisations, will understand our community’s challenges such as the increase cost of living and the health and wellbeing issues that people face. With our focus being on Black and racialised monitories (BRM), we’llassess how BRM groups are more likely to live in areas of high pollution, limited accesses to green spaces and poorer housing factors that amplify vulnerability to extreme weather, heatwaves and flooding. Furthermore, BRM are underrepresented in climate-decision making, meaning their specific needs are knowledge are often overlooked in policy responses and language barriers, economic marginalisation and experiences of racism can further limit access to information, funding or support in adapting to climate impacts. The results is a layered and systemic challenge that demands an intersectional approach to climate justice- one that centres equity, lived experience and meaningfulinclusion. The long-term vision of the project is for the city to become a thriving ecosystem of accessible, inclusive and impactful climate activity, with a green economy that brings communities together with public, private, education and voluntary sectors to ensure a just and equitable transition to a sustainable future. Linked projects: Sussex Bay (May, 2025) In this report, Bridging Change aimed to understand the priorities and issues that respondents faced around the coast. We gather views on a personal and collective level and also consider the wider concerns raised around accessibility, exclusion and overcrowding. Read the report here: Interested in Climate for Communities? For more information about Ageing Well contact: projects@bridgingchange.co.uk

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. Read All RESEARCH At Bridging Change, we are dedicated to ensuring that our work is evidence-based and, rooted in 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 a bank of resources for social action and influencing change and improving access to information and data for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities. Read All 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 Read All

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. Past meetings Past meetings Past meetings Past meetings Reports Reports Reports Reports 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. 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. 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

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

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. 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.