The council's new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy shares the Council’s ambitions for Brent to become a borough that is truly inclusive; where people of all cultures and backgrounds are represented, celebrated and most importantly feel that they belong.
Our borough is a tapestry of cultures and experiences, enriching our collective experiences and identity. However, diversity alone is not enough. We must actively strive for a fair and just borough where everyone feels they are valued, respected and most importantly, they feel that they belong. We want to ensure that all members of our community have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their backgrounds.
Our equality objectives 2024-2028
Brent’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024 - 2028 is a commitment to tackle inequalities and support individuals and families to reach their full potential. It is at the heart of our vision to move Brent forward together and ensure no one is left behind. We engaged with people through focus groups, workshops and staff events to capture the voices of people who live and work in Brent. The findings from these conversations have helped to prioritise the key issues and shape our three key EDI objectives:
- Inclusion: Accessibility and cohesion
- Narrowing the gap: Tackling inequalities
- Establishing an inclusive workforce
View the consultation and engagement findings.
Through the delivery of our Strategy we will:
- provide accessible and responsive services to cater for the diverse needs of our communities
- raise awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalised groups and encouraging greater levels of togetherness across our community
- continue the dialogue and engage with residents, community organisations, and stakeholders to create solutions that address barriers enabling everyone to be included and feel they belong, empowering local people to thrive
- tackle inequalities by focussing on those who are experiencing the worst outcomes and differences in life chances. This not only includes people with protected characteristics, but also those from other backgrounds experiencing disproportionate inequalities, such as carers, care leavers and people from lower socio economic backgrounds. We will do this by improving our understanding of where and why inequalities exist, by looking at data, insights and community voices. Through this targeted focus, we will establish mechanisms to monitor progress, collect feedback, and evaluate the impact of our activities, enabling us to adapt and refine our approach over time
- establish a more inclusive workforce by reviewing our policies, practices, and decision-making processes, ensuring that they reflect the needs and perspectives of all residents and staff and by providing opportunities for council staff to enhance their cultural competency and understanding of Brent’s diverse communities through our learning and development programmes.
For more information about our objectives and how we implement these, please read our Equality Strategy 2024 - 2028.
- View accessible version of the Equality Strategy 2024 - 2028
- View easy read version of the Equality Strategy 2024 - 2028
Anti-racism action plan
An important component of our EDI ambitions is our commitment to tackle racial injustice. To help realise this we are striving to become an anti-racist organisation and have developed an accompanying Corporate Anti- Racism Action Plan that describes the organisation’s anti-racism journey. With a steadfast commitment to inclusion and equity, we recognise our central role in the fight against racism in all its forms and ensuring that every individual feels safe, respected, and valued. The action plan complements our focus on inclusion, particular in relation to our workforce.
In embracing this Strategy and Action Plan, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a borough where everyone feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to thrive. We recognise that achieving equity, diversity, and inclusion requires sustained effort, collaboration, and accountability from all members of our community.
Note: Some documents on this page may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. To request an accessible format or a print version of the above documents, please email: equality@brent.gov.uk
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 2025/2026 Achievements
In the second year of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, we have continued to make Brent a more inclusive, fair and connected borough. We have improved access to council services, created more opportunities for residents, strengthened community participation and continued to embed inclusive and anti-racist practices across the council.
Highlights from Year 2 of the strategy include:
- almost 15,000 interpretation and translation requests supported, alongside more than 1,260 SignVideo calls for residents who use British Sign Language
- registered users of our Have Your Say consultation platform more than doubled, with participation increasing more than fivefold. A new translation feature is also helping more residents take part
- £30,000 awarded to 12 community-led projects through the Love Where You Live Celebrating Diversity Fund, helping to bring communities together, tackle isolation and celebrate Brent’s diversity
- 15 Safe Spaces now operating across the borough, providing support for residents experiencing domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
- continued support to tackle digital exclusion, including the distribution of 572 devices to residents through the Resident Support Fund and partner referrals
- within the council, more than 700 employees have completed Anti-Racism and Inclusive Practices training.
These achievements demonstrate our continued commitment to turning our EDI ambitions into meaningful action. While inequalities remain and there is more to do, we will continue working with residents, communities, partners and staff to improve access, remove barriers and help ensure everyone in Brent can thrive.