Between 2020 and 2022 the NYA delivered the Equal Equity project to support black and people of colour leaders and galvanise the sector to consider the future work needed to achieve truly inclusive policies.
About the Equal Equity programme
The Equal Equity programme from 2021 – 23 aimed to address issues of racial inequity in the youth work sector and in particular to support more black people and people of colour in leadership, management and policy roles in this space.
The aim was to promote see greater diversity reflected within senior youth work roles. Delivered by educator and youth empowerment expert Ray Douglas, the project created spaces to listen, learn and have a meaningful dialogue.
The three phases of Equal Equity
- Capturing the voices of black and people of colour youth workers and identifying drivers for systems change
- Delivering the Impact Incubator providing support to 21 black/ people of colour leaders to advance their careers through training, mentoring and access to executive youth sector leaders
- Delivering three conferences on racial justice and youth work
The programme has provided opportunities to engage in CPD such as bid writing workshops, to trauma-informed spaces about therapeutic wellbeing and supervision, as well as providing the space for dialogue, learning and change around anti racist best practice.
The Equal Equity conferences
2021
In 2021, during the Covid pandemic the online Momentum conference brought together youth workers and thought leaders from across the sector with a commitment to improve racial justice within youth work.
2022
In May 2022 The Power of Now conference, in Leicester, involved a range of talks and sessions exploring various aspects of equity, young people and the youth sector. The conference was attended by over 50 youth workers and practitioners.
2023
The third conference in June 2023, The Art of leaving no communities behind, in Barking, London brought together 75 youth workers and practitioners participate in sessions stimulated by expert speakers from thought and practice leaders from around the sector.
