On 16 July 2025, Action for Race Equality welcomed the 13 community organisations selected for our inaugural UPLIFT programme to an energising co-design session in LIFT Islington, London.
🕒 Estimated read time: 4 minutes
UPLIFT is a fully funded, 12-month organisational development programme designed to strengthen the capacity, sustainability, impact and strategic growth of Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage-led organisations across London.
These organisations are not only leading frontline work in their communities but are also helping to shape better futures for young people across education, employment and the criminal justice system.
Participants include:
- African Caribbean Education Network (ACEN)
- Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health (BLAM UK CIC)
- Bridging Barriers
- Change In Youth
- Dalmar Heritage and Family Development
- Dwayne Simpson Foundation CIC
- ESP Foundation
- Feltham Community Chaplaincy Trust (FCCT)
- Fun Unique Social Enterprise C.I.C (F.U.S.E)
- Leaders in Community
- Lets Unite for Autism Limited
- Muslim Leadership Foundation UK
- Project Lifeline CIC
- Serious About Youth (SAY)
This session marked the first time the entire cohort came together and created a space for shared stories, peer learning, and open, honest conversation about what organisations need to grow and thrive.
The room was filled with raw lived experiences and energy, as participants spoke about the passion that drives their work. From the powerful origin stories of their organisations to the everyday challenges they face, we heard what it means to operate in underfunded, overstretched spaces and why sustainable support is so urgently needed.
The system isn’t broken—it just wasn’t built for us,” – one attendee shared.
We listened as organisations raised issues like over-reliance on grants, the need for stronger internal systems and processes, and a desire to build out their PR and communications strategies to better showcase impact. Others highlighted gaps in governance and HR, and the challenge of measuring success while constantly responding to urgent community needs.
One standout session led by ARE’s Head of Policy, Meka Beresford, explored the importance of organisations like them in influencing policy as a tool for lasting change.
It’s not just about building your organisations, but building your ability to influence the systems around you.”
Organisations discussed the need to move beyond top-down approaches, to challenge the status quo, and to ensure that grassroots knowledge is not only heard, but embedded into policymaking. For many, this felt like a turning point, where operational growth, strategy, and leadership development are seen as part of a bigger picture of system change.
The afternoon’s co-design session, led by ARE Associate & Lead Consultant, Tebussum Rashid and UPLIFT Programme Manager, Nola Sterling, focused on shaping how the programme will respond to the cohort’s evolving needs. The participants shared candidly about the importance of building core skills like staff training, impact measurement, and developing funding models grounded in evidence.
As facilitators, we were reminded of the responsibility that comes with designing organisational support that is culturally relevant, practical, and co-created.
“ARE is proud to be a recipient of long-term funding from City Bridge Foundation to deliver UPLIFT, but the real aim is for you [participating organisations] to be the true beneficiaries. This programme is about investing in your futures, building capacity, resilience and highlighting your long-term impact.”
— Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive, Action for Race Equality
This is only the beginning, as the UPLIFT programme will provide participating organisations with access to tailored consultancy, coaching, and strategic support worth up to £10,000.
Over the next 12 months, ARE will continue building alongside them, offering tailored support, 1-1 consultancy, and expertise to help them amplify their impact and grow in ways that are true to their missions.
We’re incredibly proud to be walking this journey with such a powerful group of leaders, and their stories, resilience and vision are why we do this work.
Acknowledgement: The UPLIFT Programme will be generously funded for 10 years by City Bridge Foundation Anchor Programme .
Alternatively if you have any specific queries, please contact UPLIFT Programme Manager Nola Sterling at nola@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
