The project’s core focus is on building trust with black residents, encompassing individuals of African, Caribbean, and other diverse backgrounds. Unlike broader terms such as ethnic minorities or BAME, this project takes a precise approach, prioritizing the unique experiences and challenges faced by black residents. This approach also ensures that their concerns are at the forefront of the project’s efforts.

Moussa Amine Sylla played a pivotal role in the Building Trust Project, offering his expertise in facilitating, listening skills, and providing guidance to community leaders. Together, they have set out to organise thirteen listening events across the borough, representing the first crucial steps in this groundbreaking endeavour. These events were carefully designed to explore the profound impact of unresolved issues related to race, racism, and inequity on black residents’ interactions with health and care services.

Guiding Principles for Transformative Change Co Production:

The Building Trust Project is built on a set of guiding principles that steer it toward transformative change. These principles embrace diversity in all its dimensions, actively seek voices from diverse backgrounds, and recognise the evolving definitions of diversity and representation. Furthermore, the project places strong emphasis on cultural competence and support, employing trauma-trained facilitators (Led by Apricot Wellbeing ) to ensure that participants can share their experiences sensitively.

These principles serve as the foundation for project evaluation and guide all professionals involved, fostering understanding and a shared purpose among all stakeholders.

Creating a Secure and Open Dialogue Space

Creating a secure and open space for dialogues is paramount, fostering relationships among residents, community groups, voluntary organisations, NHS, and the Council, with an unwavering commitment to overcoming fear that might hinder essential conversations as been key in the project.

The project places a strong emphasis on the use of intentional language to navigate the diverse cultural, global, and legal meanings when addressing sensitive topics. It boldly confronts discriminatory behaviours, prioritizes education to enhance health and care outcomes for black residents, and is committed to driving long-term change in service delivery.

Collaboration and Sustainability

Collaboration is at the core of the project, emphasising immediate actions over long-term planning. The processes are designed for sustainability, aiming to outlast individuals and the project itself. The project is committed to reducing health inequalities through short-term trust-building.

Moussa Amine Sylla, in his role as Senior Associate, has delivered nine training sessions as part of the project. These sessions have engaged a total of 62 participants, including 48 individuals from various black Voluntary and Community Led Organisations. Notably, the training included the participation of 12 Senior Managers from NHS and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Participants also acquire the knowledge to create secure listening environments, manage group listening sessions, and develop skills for effective community organizing. The curriculum underscores self-awareness, relationship building, and leadership identification, all while equipping individuals to plan and execute impactful listening campaigns and expertly facilitate group discussions, fostering open and meaningful dialogues.

The ultimate goal of the project is to drive lasting changes in health and care services, with a specific focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by black residents, promoting inclusivity, trust, and improved health outcomes.