Navigating Anti-Racism and Co-production Project

As part of our efforts to explore how we can be an anti-racist community, we have been working on a project with People’s Voice Media that was launched in October 2023 to understand the experiences within co-production of individuals from racialised backgrounds and global majority communities.

As part of this project, conversations have taken place with 26 people from communities with lived experience of racism and 9 themes have emerged. These themes were explored in more depth at a workshop earlier this month with people from minoritised communities that have been involved in co-production. This workshop highlighted the complexity of the effects of racism and the need for openness and acceptance to prevent long-term emotional damage. Another workshop will follow next month.

Participants shared their beliefs that co-production spaces often maintain hierarchies and retain power imbalances. This can be especially challenging for people facing multiple (intersectional) challenges. People also noted the importance of recognising that there are allies in co-production, who are working to ensure that opportunities are equitably distributed amongst everyone, regardless of their ethnicity or background. You will find more reflections about this project in this blog.