Preston commissions programme to help BAME groups

Preston City Council has commissioned Stir to Action to deliver a new community wealth building programme to support local BAME organisations.

The project – Community Anchors: A Co-operative Recovery – is designed to develop lasting economic security through democratic business ownership.

It will be co-produced with the groups that will benefit, including BAPS Hindu Mandir, Preston United Youth Development Programme, and Preston Windrush Generation and Descendants UK.

The programme will support local organisations to become ‘community anchors’ that can promote the cultural relevance and benefits of co-operatives through awareness-raising activities, and also signpost their members and users to the latest funding opportunities and business support.

The six-week programme of webinars and learning circles starts at the beginning of November and ends in early December with plans for next steps and post–programme support.

Community wealth building is where local authorities redirect their spending towards local-owned businesses in order to increase local wealth.

Preston City Council has been recognised as one of the pioneers of this approach in the UK.

‘Developing democratic ownership in all communities is a key part of creating a better future economy, but we need to ensure that everyone is exposed to the opportunities to participate,’ said Stir to Action’s managing director, Jonny Gordon Farleigh.

‘We’re excited to be working with Preston City Council on this project and move the sector beyond the leafy suburbs.’

Preston City Council’s cabinet member for communities and social justice, Cllr Nweeda Khan, added: ‘The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on BAME communities who are often among the most vulnerable people in our society.

‘I am proud to be part of this ground-breaking project giving minority communities training and opportunities in business that may have previously been out of reach.

‘I am excited to see ideas and passions from all parts of our community come together to bring opportunity to minority communities in a way that benefits everyone.’

Photo Credit – Nattanan23 (Pixabay)