5: Are we there yet? Co-production and Black Thrive’s journey towards race equity in mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement have mobilised a global community to engage with Black people’s experiences of exclusion, detention, violence, and neglect at the hands of the state and within wider society. This awakening has been a welcomed catalyst for change; placing pressure on organisations to demonstrate their commitment to antiracist practice. For some, the drivers for change may be economic, rather than moral. Whatever their personal or organisational position, many are embarking on new territory and seeking a quick fix to address entrenched racist structures and systems. On the surface, co-production presents the opportunity to invite lesser-known voices to take a seat at the table to design solutions for the greater good. This optimism leads many to believe it will narrow the inequalities gap.
Black Thrive Lambeth, a system’s change initiative was established in 2014. This cross-sector partnership addresses systemic racism that creates and sustains inequalities for Black African and African-Caribbean communities. Guided by FSG’s Collective Impact Model (Kania & Kramer, 2011), the partnership is supported by a Black-led backbone team who provide strategic oversight, mobilise resources, and undertake a convening role to centre the voices of Black communities in decision-making. Co-production is one of several methodologies used to influence policy, commissioning, the design of services and practice. This chapter draws on our reflections as the backbone team. We illustrate the tensions that arise when applying this methodology, critically explore the extent to which co-production offers the potential for societal transformation, and highlight how a well-intentioned approach may inadvertently marginalise communities.
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