About us

Croydon BME (black & minority ethnic) Forum is a local charity set up in 2002 to:

• Make representations on behalf of Croydon’s black and minority ethnic communities to public sector agencies and other statutory and non-statutory organisations
• Ensure that they are involved in local policy development, regeneration and neighbourhood renewal.
• Facilitate joint-working among BME communities to develop best practice and create a unified BME voice within the Croydon Community Network and the Croydon Strategic Partnership.
• Promote networking, collaboration and partnership between the BME voluntary sector and mainstream agencies Build their organisational capacities.
• Ensure positive engagement with BME communities in all aspects of Croydon life.
• Promote good race relations, community cohesion and encourage equality of opportunity for all, throughout Croydon.

The Forum is a membership-based organisation with 130 organisations and individuals. It has grown in influence locally and is now responsible for:

• Electing BME representatives on the Croydon Strategic Partnership and other local partnership bodies.
• Representing the views of Croydon’s BME communities at the themed partnerships groups of the Croydon Strategic Partnership.

Mission

Croydon BME Forum exists to maximise the engagement of BME communities in all aspects of living and working in Croydon; providing the opportunity for its voluntary sector to build their capacity so that they are better able to provide quality services to the community

Core Services

• Engagement. Coordinate engagement with BME communities
• Capacity Building. Develop their organisations so that they are better able to deliver quality services to their communities.
• Strategic Race Equality Work. Function as the race equality body in Croydon based on the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Amended Act 2000.

Governance

The Executive Committee is the decision-making arm of the Forum. Its membership is drawn from member organisations and is currently made up of 3 men and 4 women.

Core Services

• Engagement. Coordinate engagement with BME communities
• Capacity Building. Develop their organisations so that they are better able to deliver quality services to their communities.
• Strategic Race Equality Work. Function as the race equality body in Croydon based on the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Amended Act 2000.

Governance

The Executive Committee is the decision-making arm of the Forum. Its membership is drawn from member organisations and includes 5 men and 4 women.