This 60-minute interactive online webinar shares theoretical and research informed knowledge in relation to racism and the notion of becoming anti-racist allies, from a number of perspectives, using a range of materials. It is aimed to invite participants to think about anti-racism within their individual role, organisation and team context. Our approach holds relationship-based, anti-racist practice at its heart and is based on a model for achieving emotionally intelligent, critically reflective, curious conversations, in a safe space.
Learning outcomes
Participants were invited to:
- Explore the individual, institutional, societal and global levels of complexity and structural inequality which creates a culture of racism, oppression and discrimination.
- Take ownership of their unique positions of power and privilege and how this is informed by other intersecting factors which shape our identity and agency for change
- Consider how to contribute to a revolution of allyship, which embraces the notion of actively becoming anti-racist in everything we feel, think and do.
Facilitator Biographies
Dr Sylvia B Smith is an independent social work consultant and Course Lead at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. Sylvia has research interests in compassionate leadership approaches with particular interests in anti-racist practice and leadership. She is a coaching practitioner for health and social care professionals and hosts her popular podcast ‘Social Workers Matter’.
Jo Williams is an independent social work consultant and Deputy Head of the Interprofessional Portfolio at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. She is also a PhD student with the University of Sussex and visiting lecturer with the University of Bedfordshire. Jo has a personal and professional interest in anti-racist leadership and practice and is part of an Anti-Racist Activism group for social workers. She provides reflective coaching, learning and teaching spaces to individuals and groups from a range of disciplines within health, education and social care.
Participant testimonies:
“The facilitators had such a friendly approach to such a serious topic, although they were speaking in a light-hearted manner, they managed to tackle some hard topics and made it easier to have those difficult conversations”
“Totally enjoyed it and has made me reflect on changes that I can make personally and to share the message and change others’ views and opinions in my personal and work life”
