BSWN's response to call to 'ramp up' use of stop and search powers

BSWN's response to call to 'ramp up' use of stop and search powers

On the 19th of June, 2023, Home Secretary Suella Braverman informed all police forces in England and Wales to “ramp up” the use of stop and search powers in efforts to stop knife crime and the “dangerous culture” of carrying weapons. This is a concerning development from the Home Secretary, when the disproportionate use of Stop and Search on minoritised communities has been well documented. Photograph: Steve Phillips/Alamy

BSWN’s response to Avon & Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crew’s Statement on ‘Institutional Racism’

BSWN’s response to Avon & Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crew’s Statement on ‘Institutional Racism’

On the 16th of June, 2023, Chief Constable Sarah Crew of the Avon & Somerset Police characterised the Avon & Somerset Police as “institutionally racist.” (Avon & Somerset Police, 2023) This conclusion was reached through tests and definitions established through decades of advocacy against racial discrimination in policing. This statement, having come from such a senior position, is a welcome addition to the fight against systemic racial injustice in the United Kingdom

My experience of the Telling Stories Event as an Attendee

My experience of the Telling Stories Event as an Attendee

The Telling Stories event on 22nd November 2022, was a powerful, social and introspective conversation about the art of storytelling. I know this because I was there. It asked critical questions that were extremely thought-provoking about how the UnMuseum project (as it stands today with this name) will tell stories. But it was also a general conversation for storytellers in all modes and forms, as well as an educational one.

In the Region: Gloucester's Cost of Living & Health Inequalities Issues

In the Region: Gloucester's Cost of Living & Health Inequalities Issues

The Cost-of-Living Crisis in Gloucester and the South West of England has had a severe impact on residents' health, access to healthcare, and overall quality of life. The research conducted by Money Expert and BSWN highlights the stark reality of the issue, with rent increases, salary decreases, and reliance on food banks becoming commonplace. The rising costs of living and inequalities in healthcare access have led to major health disparities, particularly for Black and Minoritised communities.

Black Inclusion Week 2023

Black Inclusion Week 2023

In this week of representation, inclusion, and workplace equality, remember to uplift Black voices, Black minds, and Black excellence in all its forms; advocate for a fair and just society for all, and remember that this work doesn’t stop at the end of the Week. BSWN is proud to spotlight Black leaders and share their perspectives on what inclusion truly means. Join us in this important mission and help create a more equitable world, not just for today or this week, but for the future.

I Am Witness: The Role of Testimony in the Reparatory Justice Process

 I Am Witness: The Role of Testimony in the Reparatory Justice Process

On Wednesday 7th December, we held the fourth and final event in our UnMuseum Culture & Heritage Programme autumn events. I Am Witness: The Role of Testimony in the Reparatory Justice Process. A highly reflexive, conscious dialogue between panellists and the audience, the role of testimony and truth in cultural reparations was elucidated.