Community Spirit, Community Power: Diversity, Lived Experience & Representation

In November 2023 we held an event at The Glasshouse, Gateshead, called ‘Community Spirit, Community Power’. Members of the GCB team gave speeches about their experiences, their work and their ideas. These blog posts are drawn from those speeches…

Discussions at our ‘Community Spirit: Community Power’ event.

From speech by Vikas Kumar:

I’m Vikas Kumar, Director of GemArts, an arts charity based in Gateshead. I’m also part of the Gateshead Bridgebuilders Team and GemArts is a host organisation for our Bridgebuilder, Zahra.

Those who know me will tell you I’m absolutely passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion and equity; and championing a diverse workforce across all levels and especially at decision making level.

Early on in this work it soon became apparent that those round the table were not truly representative of our diverse communities in Gateshead.  We initiated a recruitment process which was accessible, looking to identify people who were already embedded in different communities in Gateshead and who had a track record of being able to ‘make things happen’ - they were already active in their community and the Bridgebuilder role was a way of catalysing their activity rather than replacing it.

The importance of having a diverse Bridgebuilder workforce with lived experience in Gateshead cannot be overstated. This diverse workforce brings a wealth of perspectives, insights, and skills that are essential for effective community work and empowerment.

First and foremost, diversity in the workforce ensures that the needs and concerns of all community members are heard and addressed. When the team includes individuals with lived experience from various backgrounds, they are better equipped to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that different communities face. This understanding leads to more inclusive and equitable approaches to community development.

Representation matters. A diverse workforce fosters greater trust and engagement within communities. When community members see people who look like them and have shared experiences, they are more likely to participate and collaborate. This, in turn, leads to more successful and sustainable initiatives, as community members are more invested in the outcomes.

Diversity also sparks innovation and creativity. Different perspectives and backgrounds lead to fresh ideas and culturally relevant solutions to community problems. When a workforce includes individuals from across protected characteristics, ethnic, socioeconomic, disability, and cultural backgrounds, it enriches the pool of potential strategies and approaches, resulting in more effective and adaptable community initiatives by and with those same communities.

Furthermore, a diverse Bridgebuilder and community development workforce can serve as role models and mentors for others in the community. When individuals from underrepresented groups succeed and take leadership roles, they inspire others to do the same. This has a ripple effect, encouraging more people to get involved in community development and empowering them to make positive changes in their communities.  It is also critically important to offer pipelines, progression routes and professional development so that those working in the sector are afforded the equality of opportunity to raise aspiration and achieve their full protentional.

In Gateshead, where the voluntary and public sector plays a vital role in addressing societal issues and fostering social cohesion, having a diverse workforce is imperative. It ensures that the sector remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of a multicultural and multi-layered society. It also aligns with the principles of social justice, equality, diversity, inclusion and equity which is at the core of everything we do.

The work of the Bridgebuilders is about creating healthier and inclusive systems, and is a collaborative process, based on deep and meaningful engagement and partnerships with people from our communities, organisations and allies so that we can collectively break down barriers and transform systems that perpetuate disadvantage, marginalisation, and exclusion. By embracing diversity, the sector can better serve the needs of all communities, foster trust and engagement, drive innovation, and inspire positive change, ultimately leading to a more vibrant and cohesive society.