The Doing Good Leeds Partnership is shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of Professor Jason Arday. Our sincere condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.

The National media attention surrounding Professor Arday’s life and subsequent death has sent shockwaves through academia and beyond, and will no doubt bring up difficult thoughts, emotions and experiences for many in the VCSE sector workforce.

Professor Jason Arday was first and foremost a human being, which affords us all inherent value and human rights. Beyond that, he was a talented Black and disabled academic, advocate and role model. His achievements, intellect and commitment to social justice inspired people within and beyond academia.

His death draws into sharp focus the reality that racism and ableism is an active force in society today. It is not right that society feels it has permission to hold people who are ‘different’ in any way by different standards. In the case of Jason Arday, he was subject to intense media and public scrutiny, and his request for “understanding, compassion and the space to begin again” went unheard.

While reflection and learning is needed to make sense of times like these, it is too little, too late. Support, compassion and kindness is what’s needed in life. The VCSE sector is often the place people turn to find those things. The humanity and person-centred nature of the VCSE sector is one of our many strengths. We must create space to have honest conversations and provide trauma-informed support, not only to people who receive support from the sector, but also for our sector’s workforce.

The Doing Good Leeds Partnership organisations, Forum Central, Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds Older People’s Forum are committed to supporting the VCSE sector, being anti-racist, and rooting out racism and ableism in all its forms from society.

There is so much more that could be said, and should be done. For now, please take care of yourselves and prioritise kindness.

For more reading, we came across this article which shares a poignant reflection “Interweave Love Into Our Society” Disability Rights UK.

Support for the VCSE Sector and ways to be involved

Listening Session

Forum Central and Synergi-Leeds have coordinated an online facilitated session on Tuesday 25 August 12pm for the Leeds VCSE workforce – this is being shared through organisations, please get in touch if you’d like to join.

Culturally Diverse Hub

Individuals can join the Culturally Diverse Hub as a Member or Rep. The Hub can also support linking individuals with the right support from Culturally diverse organisations or connect pathways for you to be more actively involved in anti-racism work in the sector.

Learning Disability Network

The Forum Central Learning Disability Network is a vibrant network of third sector learning disability organisations in Leeds. It brings organisations together for peer support and to improve services and opportunities for people with learning disabilities across Leeds.

Synergi-Leeds

Synergi-Leeds a citywide approach to tackling ethnic inequalities in mental health. Statutory and voluntary sector organisations can join the Synergi-Leeds network to support Priority 2 of the Leeds All-Age Mental Health Strategy, ‘reducing the over representation of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities admitted in crisis’. The network adopts a whole system, life course approach and uses ‘Creative Spaces events’ to centre the voices of people with lived experience.

Cultural competency training

There are many providers of cultural competency training, which is a must-do for all organisations. Primose Consultancy Yorkshire is a provider local to West Yorkshire that we’d recommend.

Mental Health Support in Leeds

There is a wide variety of support in Leeds to suit people at different stages of life and from different backgrounds. MindWell is the mental health website for adults in Leeds. MindMate is the website for children and young people. There are many resources and services that you can find on these websites.
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service and Being You Leeds may be good places to start.

Change the Narrative Campaign

This is a city-wide anti-stigma campaign working to change how mental health is understood and responded to in Leeds. The website details the ways individuals and organisations can get involved.