BSWN Advocacy Events
WECA Mayor Roundtables 2025
The West of England Combined Authority is a regional authority governing the areas of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. The Metro Mayor has strategic oversight over several important sectors such as transport, housing, employment, and environmental sustainability. As part of BSWN’s dedication towards knowledge facilitation and democratic participation, we were keen to platform candidates to the role of Metro Mayor in the upcoming WECA Mayoral Elections. We had the pleasure of hosting the following candidates for Metro Mayor: Mary Page (Green Party), Oli Henman (Liberal Democrats), Steve Smith (Conservative Party), Helen Godwin (Labour), and Ian Scott (Independent). These candidates were questioned on their intentions surrounding topics of transport, employment, green economies, housing, and innovation through contributions by members of Black South West Network’s wider membership.
BSWN also played a role in organising the VOSCUR WECA Mayoral Hustings which provided VCSE organisations in the Combined Authority region to meet with, and question, candidates Mary Page, Oli Henman, Steve Smith, and Helen Godwin.
The Race Riots Solidarity Space and Community Co-Production Roundtable on Healthcare and Education
Following the Far-right Racist Riots during the Summer of 2024, Black and Racially Minoritised community members throughout the United Kingdom grew anxious as racist sentiments became more openly vocalised in public. For the safety of our staff and community members, BSWN’s Community Roundtable was postponed as it coincided with the arrival of far-right rioters in the city of Bristol. In response to this, BSWN held a much-needed Solidarity Space wherein individuals could vent their frustrations, worries, and anxieties about the rise of racist sentiments. Facilitated by Dr Barbara Brown, this Space directly informed the Conference Action Plan’s demand for spaces for discussion and solidarity.
BSWN also held a Community Roundtable as a means of presenting our plans for the Access to Justice Pilot Phase to community members, advocates, and key stakeholders to the outcomes of our work. Facilitated by Dr Barbara Brown, BSWN presented key secondary research on healthcare and educational race disparities in the regional and local contexts.
We also invited Margaret Simmons-Bird MBE to present her findings on attainment disparities and the intersectional discrimination faced by Black and Minoritised SEND students, as well as Dr Patrick Williams to share his comprehensive research on race disparities, disproportionalities, and differential treatment in the criminal justice system. To finish, BSWN worked with Miranda Grell to co-produce further ideas for the upcoming pilot phases of the Access to Justice project, including issues surrounding SEND disparities, definitions of ‘systemic racism’, and the loopholes prevalent within existing equality legislations (i.e. Equality Act 2010).
Policy Roundtable on Education and Race at Bristol City Hall
On 28 March 2025, the Black South West Network (BSWN) held a Policy Roundtable in Bristol focusing on education and race. This event marked the culmination of BSWN’s pilot Access to Justice project, which prioritised addressing educational inequalities affecting Black and racially minoritised communities. The roundtable brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including head teachers, educators, community workers, and parents, to strategise against systemic racism in the education system. 
The event featured presentations from several key individuals:
Dr. Annabel Wilson from Repair-Ed shared findings from focus groups with Black parents and their children, highlighting the challenges they face in Bristol’s schools.
Margaret Simmons-Bird MBE presented statistical research on racial disparities in education, drawing from her extensive experience in advocating for racial equity.
Hannah Woodhouse, Executive Director of Children’s Services, provided insights into the current state of education from the Council’s perspective.
Lana Crosby of No More Exclusions discussed the efforts of the Bristol chapter in effecting changes to school exclusion policies.
Additionally, parents Lavinia King and Jasmine Tippett courageously shared their personal experiences, adding depth to the discussions.
