At Community Action: MK, we acknowledge that racism – structural, institutional, and interpersonal – persists and creates significant barriers in our society.
We are committed to embedding racial equity in our policies, leadership, and service delivery. As a community-focused organisation, we actively challenge discrimination and work towards social and racial justice. We recognise the importance of continuous learning and are dedicated to understanding the challenges racism creates. We amplify marginalised voices, speak out against inequitable treatment, and use our knowledge to take concrete actions that make Community Action: MK an actively anti-racist organisation.
Our Commitment
We stand firmly against racism and take action to promote racial equity within our organisation and the wider community. This commitment is embedded in our organisational Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EEDI) and Anti-Racism Policy (see here).
Actions We Are Taking
Embedding Anti-Racism in Our Team and Work
- Create an action plan for our team, which will be reviewed regularly, this will be part of the organisational EEDI plan.
- Ensuring our policies, practices, and programmes uphold anti-racist values and promote equity.
- Providing training for our board of trustees, staff-team, volunteers, and partners to recognise and address racial bias.
Amplifying Voices and Representation
- Involving Ethnically Diverse Communities to co-design solutions tackling racial disparities.
- Supporting and empowering underrepresented leaders in community initiatives and decision-making.
Challenging Racism in the Community
- Advocating for policies that remove systemic barriers and advance racial justice.
- Partnering with organisations to collectively combat racism and discrimination, including through our VCSE Networks.
- Create a guide for dealing microaggressions for our team
Accountability and Continuous Learning
- Regularly reviewing and reporting on our racial equity progress.
- Encouraging open dialogue and feedback to improve our actions.
Holding Ourselves Accountable
We recognise that anti-racism requires ongoing effort and accountability. We commit to:
- Publishing an annual report on our racial inclusion progress.
- Creating safe spaces for discussion, resources, and feedback on race and inclusion.
- Setting measurable racial equity goals and evaluating our impact, including through an EEDI plan
Join Us
We call on our partners, stakeholders, and the wider VCSE community to stand with us against racism. Work with us to build a truly inclusive and equitable Milton Keynes.
Together, we can create a society where everyone is valued, heard, and empowered. For more information or to get involved, contact us at info@communityactionmk.org
Useful Resources
- New Ways – When Hate Spills Into Workplaces – A Leaders Guide.
- VCSEP – Mis and Disinformation
- Hope Not Hate – How to Have Difficult Conversations: Safe Homes, Not Hotels Messaging Guide. They have a whole range of community resources and a resource on anti-migrant protests and what you can do.
- Center for Countering Digital Hate – a series of explainers including understanding the difference between misinformation and disinformation, and building information resilience.
- Migration Exchange – Safety and Security Handbook and Resilience and Wellbeing Handbook
- Mind – a guide on looking after your mental health online
- NEON – comprehensive advice on messaging and framing communications at this time Far right violence, a messaging guide.
- Praxis – A Migrant’s Guide developed with community groups.
- Runnymede Trust published the second of two research reports analysing language used in parliamentary and media debates: A hostile environment: language, race, surveillance and the media
- Stop Hate UK – a free independent 24/7 hate crime reporting helpline who also have a guide on reporting online hate.
- The Black Wellbeing Collective provide tailored wellbeing support
- Migration Exchange Handbooks: Safety and Security Handbook and Resilience and Wellbeing Handbook.