Breaking down barriers – Usdaw’s Black members development programme

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Name

Jo Bird

Union

Usdaw

Job title

Equalities Officer

Usdaw has developed a new education and skills programme for Black members which will act as a stepping stone to greater involvement in the Union and contribute to building a support structure for Black activists.

The programme is called Breaking Down Barriers and has been developed in collaboration with Black activists. It will enable us to accelerate our work on tackling under representation and racism.

Online taster sessions generated a significant number of applications, which, for this first year, were limited to Black members in rep roles.

Places have now been offered to 19 Black reps who will remain on the programme for just under a year.

Classroom sessions will be tutored by the Union's Education Department together with a lay Black tutor and cover Union structures and participation, public speaking skills, speech writing, politics and its connection to trade unionism and activism.

Non classroom sessions will support individual personal development goals.

Experienced Black activists will act as mentors to offer support and guidance between the formal sessions.

It is hoped that members on the programme will act as mentors and ambassadors next year and the ripple effect of this will spread year on year, resulting in sustainable change, focused on actions not words.

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