What we do

The Forum’s work can be placed into three broad categories:

• Engagement.  Engaging with Croydon’s BME communities to contribute to policy development  and decision making and with decision makers so as to increase awareness of the needs of Croydon’s BME communities.
• Capacity Building. Building their organisational capacity so that they can deliver quality services to their users.
• Equality and Cohesion. Promoting cohesion and working to take equality forward in Croydon.

Engagement

• Representing BME communities at high level decision making partnerships including the Croydon Partnership, Croydon Community Network, Chief Executive’s Group, Stronger Communities Partnership, Croydon Enterprise Advisory Group, Change-Up Steering Group, School Improvement Board, Safer Croydon Partnership, and the Healthy Croydon Partnership.
• Providing training and support to BME organisations to play more active roles within the Croydon Strategic Partnership.
• Supporting BME representatives on partnership bodies.

Capacity Building

• Providing one-to-one surgeries to new, emerging and existing BME groups.
• Organising funding advice sessions to enable local groups to apply for funding.
• Serving as fund-holders for new BME groups.
• Using the capacity building toolkit to assess the organisational development needs of members and tailor support services to meet those needs.

Equality and Cohesion

• Assessing the race equality policies of local public organisations.
• Establishing links and working in partnership with schools, the local education authority and public organisations.
• Promoting equality and cohesion within the Croydon Strategic Partnership and across the borough.
• Making representation to partnership bodies on equality and cohesion.