Croydon BME Forum

Who we are

Croydon BME Forum is the umbrella organisation for Croydon’s Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector; engaging people, building capacity, and promoting equality and cohesion. We are a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.

The Forum was established to maximise the engagement of BME communities in all aspects of living and working in Croydon.

We make representations on behalf of Croydon’s black and minority ethnic communities to public sector agencies and other statutory and non-statutory organisations.

Our culture and values

Our Culture

At Croydon BME Forum, we foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and empowerment. We value open dialogue and actively listen to the communities we serve, creating an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to contribute. Our team works collaboratively across sectors and communities, prioritising partnership, transparency, and accountability in all we do.

Our Values

1. Equality and Diversity – We champion the rights and voices of all BME communities, promoting fairness and inclusion in every initiative.

2. Community Engagement – We actively involve communities in decision-making, ensuring their needs, experiences, and perspectives shape our work.

3. Empowerment – We provide tools, support, and opportunities for communities to strengthen capacity and achieve their goals.

4. Collaboration – We build strong partnerships with public, private, and voluntary sectors to create meaningful impact.

5. Integrity and Accountability – We act ethically, responsibly, and transparently, ensuring trust with the communities and partners we serve.

6. Innovation and Learning – We embrace new ideas and approaches to improve services and tackle inequalities effectively.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Croydon BME Forum ensures fairness and opposes discrimination across the workforce by embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of employment and organisational practice.

We provide equal opportunities in recruitment, promotion, training, and day-to-day work, ensuring that no individual is treated less favourably on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected characteristic. Discrimination, harassment, and victimisation are not tolerated.

Our approach includes:

• Clear policies and responsibilities: All staff, volunteers, management, and partners are expected to uphold EDI principles. The Board and management actively embed these principles in governance and operational decisions.

• Training and awareness: Staff and volunteers receive regular training to understand and apply EDI principles in their roles.

• Accessible reporting mechanisms: Concerns about unfair treatment or discrimination are reported confidentially to designated officers or senior management, with complaints handled according to grievance procedures.

• Monitoring and review: Policies and practices are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with legal requirements and best practice, with stakeholder feedback incorporated to strengthen fairness and inclusion.

Through these measures, Croydon BME Forum fosters a workplace culture where all employees and volunteers are treated fairly, respected, and able to achieve their full potential.