Brent Black Community Action Plan Overview

Black Community Action Plan

What is the Black Community Action Plan (BCAP)?

Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the global conversations about systemic racism that followed, Brent Council developed its 10‑year Black Community Action Plan (BCAP) in June 2020 to address racial inequality locally.

The BCAP was shaped through discussions with representatives from Brent’s Black communities and was endorsed by Full Council in July 2020. An implementation plan was agreed in September 2020.

In November 2022, delivery of the BCAP was paused pending the outcome of a governance review. A proposal to transfer responsibility and funding for the programme to an external organisation was reviewed. However, commissioned work to assess the feasibility of this approach did not provide sufficient evidence to support such a change.

The Reset

In 2024, the Council’s Policy Coordination Group (PCG) agreed that the Council should retain overall responsibility for driving progress on BCAP commitments. A “reset” was recommended to rebuild trust with those who helped develop the BCAP and who saw it as an opportunity for meaningful change.

As part of this refocused approach, the BCAP was refreshed through engagement with former steering group members, online questionnaires, and an in‑person public event held at Brent Civic Centre on 25 November 2024. This engagement resulted in a revised, co‑designed action plan.

BCAP Priority Areas

The refreshed BCAP focuses on five priority areas:

Early intervention for children and young people
Tackling health inequalities
Developing community spaces run and managed by local people
Homes and homelessness
Support with employment and enterprise

You will be able to view up and coming events, opportunities and grants on these pages.

The Black Community Action Plan 2025-2026

The Black Community Action Plan outlines how the council will work with Black residents, community groups and partners to create positive change. Through targeted actions and ongoing engagement, the plan aims to address inequality, celebrate diversity and help build a more inclusive borough for everyone.

Priority 1 - Early Intervention: children, young people and families

Key Actions	Council Led / External	Outcome
Parents’ development programme: Providing parents with the tools to develop their skills and influence, such as, becoming councillors, school governors, forming parent -teachers associations; and supporting parents to prevent school exclusions	Children’s, Partnerships and Community Development	Well-informed communities, prepared to influence and shape sector priorities
Youth and after school clubs provision: Providing more after school provision, reading, homework clubs and safe spaces for our young people		Provision for young people where they can develop their knowledge, skills and be safe
Financial literacy programme: For the whole community: Fostering a better relationship with money to remove socio-economic barriers and drive behaviour change	External Partners Voluntary Sector	Create a better relationship with money and generational behaviour change
Cultural education: Educating and sharing knowledge on positive Black history and become inspired.	EDI, Policy and Engagement External Partners Brent Schools, Voluntary Sector Partners	Promote positive black history and raise aspiration

Priority 2 - Tackling health inequalities

Key Actions

Council Led / External

Outcome

Highlight health inequalities affecting the Black community, by delivering campaigns to bring awareness to the forefront on key issues such as, diabetes, sickle cell and prostate cancer

Public Health

Create a focus on health inequalities disproportionately impacting the Black community

Mental health: Increase awareness of mental health services within the community. Provide cultural competency training to professionals and promote information on culturally sensitive support options, including 3rd sector support.

External partners

NHS - CAMHS

Voluntary sector partners

Provide a culturally sensitive health offer where individuals and their families are understood

Priority 3 - Develop community spaces run and managed by local people

Key Actions	Council Led / External	Outcome
Meanwhile spaces: Identify and advertise meanwhile use spaces	Property and assets	Community and business spaces that provide opportunities to lead and belong
Affordable spaces: Identity affordable rent spaces for the community
Managing spaces: Equipping the community with skills to manage spaces and provide opportunities when available	External partners Local businesses Voluntary sector partners

Priority 4 - Homes and homeslessness

Key Actions	Council Led / External	Outcome
Homelessness prevention: Working with Partners to create a holistic approach to support homelessness and homeless prevention. Identify households, pre-eviction.	Housing	Identify housing issues earlier and options to prevent homelessness
Deliver workshops on “Housing”: A programme to educate residents on topics such as renters' rights, evictions, and housing assistance.	External Partners Local Businesses, RSLs, Voluntary Sector Partners
Young people’s housing scheme: Develop a programme to educate and assist young people in sourcing affordable housing, including flat – shares. Alongside, “home goal setting”, offering workshops and information on how to get onto the property ladder.		Break negative housing cycles and barriers to more stable housing

Priority 5 - Support for employment and enterprise

Key Actions	Council Led / External	Outcome
Career workshops: Offering practical guidance, skills and advice on traditional and emerging career paths	Employment Skills and Enterprise External Partners Business, Industry, Statutory Partners, Voluntary Sector	Positive career pathways where there is genuine opportunity, including in industries where the Black community is typically unrepresented
Underrepresented industries: Identify and provide work experience, internship and apprenticeship opportunities in industries that are underrepresented by Black Communities.
Local business and partner network: Establish a network with local businesses to offer placements including work experience and paid opportunities

Meet the independent Advisory Steering Group

A new Independent Advisory Steering Group was established in November 2025 to provide independent insight, guidance, and expertise.

Chair - Antoinette Onyejiuwa

Antoinette has extensive experience in early intervention, children and family development. Her career includes leading Sure Start Children’s Centres and Family Hubs in Brent and Harrow. Also, leading within the Civil Service as a Regional Manager for the Family Policy, Reducing Conflict Unit.

Member - Ben Anim-Antwi

Ben is an experienced board member, currently serving on the CDS Co-operatives Board with responsibility for Customer Experience and Complaints. He is also a member of Brent’s Housing Management Advisory Board and Oxfordshire County Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel. Ben’s career spans roles across the civil service and local authorities, with a focus on regeneration, housing, and member services.

Member - Jen Scott

Jen is the Director of The Business Support Agency, which has designed and delivered over £1 million in council-funded business programmes and supported more than 15,000 business owners across London. She is also the co-founder of Hustle+Heels, a community dedicated to empowering underrepresented business owners and professionals.

Member - Jennifer Powell

Jennifer has worked extensively in community engagement throughout her career, holding roles such as Anti-Racism Coordinator and Senior Participation and Grants Manager. She has been recognised for her outstanding work and service to communities through Barnet Council’s Staff Awards. Jennifer also supports communities in a voluntary capacity and has previously served as a school governor.

Upcoming opportunities and grants

New community fund from Wates

Wates has given £15,000 to be spent by the community on BCAP priorities.

Community groups and individuals can put forward a bid for £1,000 to £3,000 for projects which work towards the BCAP priorities:

Early intervention for children and young people
Tackling health inequalities
Developing community spaces run and managed by local people
Homes and homelessness
Support with employment and enterprise

The steering group will assess the bids and choose applications which work towards the BCAP priorities.You can apply for the fund through the Action Funder website. You will be required to register with the site if you have not used it before.

Fund details

Opening date: Friday 09 October 2026

Closing date: Friday 06 November 2026

Successful bidders notified: by Thursday 26 November 2026

Apply now

If you would like support with your application, please contact Ria.Morris@wates.co.uk

Volunteer support

Wates residential are supporting the Black Community Action Plan with a commitment of 60 hours volunteering to support BCAP. This could be delivered in various ways, such as,

expert volunteering and supporting organisations to find grants via Grantfinder.
general volunteering to support organisations with their existing programmes.

If you are an organisation delivering BCAP priorities and would like a volunteer or volunteers from Wates please contact ria.morris@wates.co.uk. This offer will stay open until the 60 hours are completed.

Community updates

Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG) update

10 August 2026

We are pleased to share an update on the progress of the Black Community Action Plan (BCAP) and the work of the Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG), as we continue working together to support positive outcomes for Brent’s Black communities.

It was a pleasure to meet many residents and community organisations at the public community meeting in December 2025. Although we had not yet been formally appointed by Brent Council at that stage, the meeting was an important opportunity to introduce ourselves, listen to community voices, and better understand the priorities, experiences and aspirations that shaped BCAP.

You can find more information about IASG members.

In February 2026, Brent Council formally recruited the Independent Advisory Steering Group. We held our first meeting as the newly established IASG on 4 February 2026, where we agreed the group’s Terms of Reference. These set out our role in providing independent oversight, challenge and support for the delivery of BCAP over the next four years.

At this meeting, we also heard from a number of council departments on areas including employment, skills and enterprise, affordable workspace and meanwhile use opportunities, housing and homelessness, and an update on finance. These discussions helped us build a clearer picture of the services already in place, the challenges that remain, and where there may be opportunities to improve outcomes for Black residents, businesses and community organisations in Brent.

Our second meeting took place on 4 June 2026. We reviewed progress across the programme and received updates on initiatives linked to BCAP priorities, including work to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The next steering group is scheduled to take place on Thursday 3rd September 2026.

Key Progress and Achievements

BCAP Webpage: A dedicated BCAP webpage has been launched through the Brent Council website, making it easier for residents and community organisations to find information and updates about the programme.
Wates Social Giving Programme: Wates has committed volunteering time and £15,000 to support BCAP through its Social Giving Programme. This funding will help provide small grants for community organisations delivering work that supports BCAP priorities.
Project Lead Migration Recruitment: Brent Council is in the process of recruiting a Project Officer within the Migration Team to help coordinate BCAP activities, support delivery partners and strengthen communication with the IASG.
BCAP Grants Programme: Plans are progressing to launch the BCAP small grants programme from Autumn 2026, creating new opportunities for community organisations to access funding for projects that respond to local priorities.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the IASG remains committed to supporting the delivery of a Black Community Action Plan that is shaped by community priorities and delivers meaningful, lasting improvements for Brent’s Black communities. We will continue to provide independent oversight, encourage community engagement and monitor progress against the priorities identified by residents and community organisations.

We will share further updates about upcoming opportunities and grants as they become available.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, knowledge and commitment so far. Your involvement continues to be central to the success of BCAP, and we look forward to continuing this work together and sharing further updates in the months ahead.

Antoinette Onyejiuwa
Chair
On behalf of the Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG)

Last updated 22/10/26