Anti-Racism Strategy in easy read

An easy read version of our anti-racism strategy.

Group of 5 black and minority ethnic people.

What is the Anti-Racism Strategy? 

Racism means treating people unfairly because of the colour of their skin, their language or culture.  

Image of two men. The white man looks happy. The black man looks confused.

Racism is a type of discrimination. It can make people feel upset and left out. 

People can be badly hurt or even killed because of racism.  

Racial abuse is a type of hate crime. It is against the law. 

Racism is also the damage caused by doing things in a way that doesn’t think about the needs of all people.  

Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover.

This strategy is a plan of the work the council will do to make sure all people have equal access to council services and resources. 

By doing this we are working towards being an anti-racist council.  

Anti-racist means taking action to make sure people from all races are treated fairly and equally and have the same chances in life. 

 

Red circle with people inside and 'NO RACISM!' text.

Why we need the strategy

We know Black People and people who are not White British experience racism. We use the words Racially Minoritised to describe these people. 

Four people sitting on a bench in the park.

Racism has been going on for hundreds of years all around the world.  

Because of racism many people and communities are not treated equally or fairly.  

Because of racism many people and communities do not have the same chances to lead happy, healthy lives. 

We want to put a stop to Racism in Brighton & Hove. 

Man in high vis jacket and hammer.

We want to make sure that the way we work is the best way and make changes to improve things. 

People in front of house, trees and church surrounded by text 'Community Life'.

Racism makes it hard for Racially Minoritised people to to: 

  • get involved in the local community 
  • get the support they need 
  • get the education they need 
  • build a career 
  • have a choice of good housing 
  • use transport 
  • feel safe in the community 
  • get good healthcare 
  • enjoy everyday life 

 

Progress pride flag. Woman in wheelchair on ramp. Group of 5 BME people.

People can also be treated unfairly because of: 

  • disability 
  • learning disability and/or autism 
  • speaking a different language 
  • faith
  • sexuality 
  • gender 
  • lots of other reasons
Group of 5 black and minority ethnic people.

These are all parts of a person’s identity. We call these parts Protected Characteristics.

We use the term Intersectionality to refer to all of a person’s protected characteristics.

Racially Minoritsed people may be treated differently for the way they look and all these other characteristics.

It is important to consider all parts of a person’s identity when making changes.

The strategy is a plan to make these things easier and fairer for all people. 

Group of people inside the lens of a magnifying glass.

How did we write the strategy? 

We did a lot of research to write the strategy. 

6 people inside the outline of a house.

We spoke to lots Racially Minoritised people who live or work in Brighton & Hove. 

They told us what we need to do to make their lives better. 

We listened to people from different community groups and anti-racist organisations. 

We listened to Racially Minoritised people from different faiths, backgrounds and with different  experiences of life. 

We listened to our Racially Minoritised staff. 

Group of people sat around a table looking at a laptop.

How we'll know if we are making progress

We have set up the anti-racism Community Advisory Group. 

This is a group of Racially Minoritised people who meet to talk about what the council is doing to stop racism in Brighton & Hove. 

 

Group of people sat around a table having a meeting.

They also bring feedback from Racially Minoritised communities.  

This helps make sure we are making progress. 

This also helps us think about what Racially Minoritised people need when we are making plans. 

Two people inside a building outline with text 'Council'.

Local councillors will be updated about our progress at a regular committee meeting.  

Every 3 months we will carry out checks to make sure the council is following the plans and making progress.  

The Strategy 

Person showing a list with three items.

What people told us

The Community Advisory Group helped us decide the 3 most important things for us to concentrate on. 

We have called these Priorities. These are the 3 priorities. 

Two people having a conversation.

1. Engagement  

  • Making sure we listen to what Racially Minoritised People are telling us. 
  • Telling Racially Minoritised People about what the council is doing. 
  • Thinking about what Racially Minoritised people need when we are making plans and changes. 
  • Learning how to support Racially Minoritised People. 

 

Man using a pointer to point to a graph.

2. Data 

  • Using the information we have to understand what Racially Minoritised people need. 
  • Using the information we have to plan services that are anti-racist. This means services that are fair and equal for all racial groups. 

 

Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover.

3. Policy and practice

Making sure we are doing things in the best way. 

Making sure the council works in a way that is anti-racist. This means working in a way that is fair and equal for all racial groups. 

Two people inside the shape of a house with text 'Council' underneath. Three people looking at a plan with speech and thought bubbles, inside the lens of a magnifying glass.

Working together

Everyone at the council will work together to reach our goal of making Brighton and Hove an anti-racist city.

There are 5 teams in the council. They will all follow the three priorities to put a stop to racism in their service.

Next we will tell you what each team does.

And what they will do to make Brighton & Hove an anti-racist city. 

 

Three people in front of a house, tree and cathedral surrounded by a purple ring with text 'Community Life'. Two people pointing at a house and block of flats.

Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities 

What our team does

We:

  • support and listen to communities and charities
  • make sure that the right housing is available
  • find out what different people in the community need
  • help people to get information from libraries or online
Two people talking and a stack of books.

What we will do to make an anti-racist city 

We will:

  • find ways of hearing what Racially Minoritised People have to say
  • work with people from different racial groups to plan our services
  • support people who are victims of racial abuse, particularly women and people with other protected characteristics
  • make sure libraries have more books in different languages
  • help Racially Minoritised People access housing equally
Family of four sat on a sofa. Person on the phone sitting with someone supervising them.

Families children and learning 

What our team does 

We:

  • support families, children and people with special educational needs and learning disabilities
  • support families to make sure that children are safe and cared for
  • make sure that people have the right education, skills and support to lead happy, independent lives
Red circle with people inside and 'NO RACISM!' text. Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover.

What we will do to make an anti-racist city 

We will:

  • improve the ways we listen to Racially Minoritised children, families and carers
  • use what they tell us to improve services
  • check that the way we work is the best way and make changes to improve things
  • use the Anti-racism Education Strategy to teach people about anti-racism and improve outcomes for Racially Minoritised people
Pile of books with text 'Plans' on the cover. Four people in front of an official building. Book of rules.

Governance people and resources

What our team does 

We:

  • make sure that the whole council works together for the same goals
  • help council teams with their planning
  • look after council workers
  • make sure that money is looked after properly
  • make sure that the council is sticking to the law
Person reading an easy read version of a report. Two people pointing to a whiteboard.

What we will do to make an anti-racist city 

We will:

  • make sure that the council is a fair and equal place to work for all people
  • make sure that council staff know how to make information accessible to Racially Minoritised People
  • offer training to staff so that they understand how to make their service good for Racially Minoritised People
  • offer training to Racially Minoritised business owners so that they better understand how the council works
Refuse lorry. Tree. Royal Pavilion Gardens.

Economy environment and culture

What our team does 

We:

  • make sure the streets are clean and collect rubbish and recycling
  • look after parks and green spaces
  • make sure that traffic and travel is safe and eco friendly
  • make Brighton & Hove an interesting and fun place to be

 

Plan. Group of people talking with speech bubbles. Red double-decker bus.

What we will do to make an anti-racist city 

We will:

  • make sure we think of the needs of Racially Minoritised People when we make plans
  • share information about what we are doing so that people can have their say
  • train our staff so they understand that Racially Minoritised people have different needs
  • work out what needs to change in Brighton & Hove so that it is accessible for Racially Minoritised people
  • understand more about the businesses owned by Racially Minoritised people in the city
  • understand more about how racism can be bad for businesses in the city
  • continue to look at ways to stop racist abuse on city buses
Man with thumbs up in front of a multi-coloured flower. Group of people.

Health and adult social care 

What our team does 

We:

  • work to make sure that everyone gets what they need to be healthy and lead a good life
  • support older people
  • make sure that people are cared for safely
  • check people are getting the right support
  • make sure that people get the right information and can make choices

 

Plan. Group of people talking with speech bubbles.

What we will do to make an anti-racist city

We will:

  • use what people tell us to plan services that suit people with different experiences
  • make sure that we pay attention to the health and wellbeing of Racially Minoritised People 
  • check that health services are accessible for Racially Minoritised People
Laptop with text 'click' on screen.

For more information 

To read the long version of the strategy you can go to the Anti-Racism Strategy web page.

Laptop with envelope and text 'email'.

To have your say 

If you have questions or comments send an email to Equalities@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Get involved 

To get involved with the strategy/panel send an email to Equalities@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Thank you 

We would like to thank the anti-racism Community Advisory Group (CAG), Racially Minoritised staff and other community members for helping us create this strategy.