Category: Events

  • The 2025 Annual LARCH Learning and Engagement Conference

    The 2025 Annual LARCH Learning and Engagement Conference

    On Friday 7th March 2025, the London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) convened leading health and care professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to explore challenges and opportunities to drive systemic change in tackling health inequalities in the London regions. Delivered in partnership with the Race Equality Foundation and Health Innovation Network South London, the conference provided a platform for collaborative discussions on embedding anti-racist practice in health and social care. 

    From these discussions key themes emerged throughout the day, underlining the priority areas for action:

    •  Delivering impactful EDI initiatives in a globally challenging environment. Using high-quality data and real-world evidence to demonstrate progress and value for our work is more critical than ever. 
    • There has been clear progress in the development of inclusive public health programmes, workforce initiatives, and the development of best practice frameworks like PCREF and REMI. The next challenge is scaling to a whole-system approach and ensuring all our population benefits from best practice.
    •  We must co-produce solutions with communities, embedding care and services in spaces and places people already use and trust.

    The conference was chaired by Dame Marie Gabriel CBE, Independent Chair at the NHS Race and Health Observatory. Delegates were welcomed with a powerful opening remark by Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, reasserting how LARCH is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for action, championing anti-racism as both a moral imperative and necessary act of leadership in the face of global threats to equity and inclusion. 

    Professor Peter Goldblatt, Senior Adviser at Institute for Health Equity, examined structural racism in healthcare and disparities in ethnicity data, emphasising how intersectionality, migrations patterns, and systemic inequalities shape health outcomes.  Building on the discussion, Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Public Health Director at NHS London, underlined the need for data-driven, systemic approaches that embed anti-racism in leadership, workforce diversity, and community engagement in his keynote address.  He acknowledged the challenges of this work but offered an important reminder “We are undoing ways of thinking, ways of being, and ways of interacting with each other, it will take time, but we must stay committed.” 

    Jabeer Butt OBE, Chief Executive at the Race Equality Foundation, chaired the panel discussion on anti-racism strategies. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger relations and collaboration across sectors, including police and education, to address broader social determinants of health. Key themes included leveraging available data to inform decision-making, building trust through community outreach, and using personal privilege, leadership and existing resources to challenge systemic inequalities. 

    The afternoon session drew a full house and maintained the positive atmosphere and engagement from the morning. With a focus on practical applications, delegates explored best practices through six in-depth workshops and real-world case studies. Reflecting on the event, Janine La Rosa, Chief People Officer NHS reinforced the collective responsibility to turn insights into practice. Dame Marie Gabriel CBE closed the conference by delivering a call to keep “moving purposely forward, in unity and even greater determination”.

    Resources:

    Speaker presentations:

    Structural Racism, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities in London – Peter Goldblatt

    From Theory to Action – Professor Kevin Fenton

    Workshop Presentations:

    What, why and how the of the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI) – Amanda Simon

    Building Trust & Effective Engagement – Strategies for meaningful community partnerships. – Adeola Agbebiyi  & John Licorish

    Towards mental health equity: insights from policy and practice – Kadra Abdinasir

    Addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality – Nandi Simpson and Helen Sheldon

    HIN’s Anti-Racism Journey – Catherine Dale

    View photos from the day

    View photo gallery

  • Advancing anti–racism in health and care: introduction to the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI)

    Advancing anti–racism in health and care: introduction to the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI)

    It is well evidenced that racism has a detrimental effect on individuals physical and mental health. This experience is further compounded where systemic or institutional racism occurs resulting in discrimination through societal systems, practices, and policies which produce and perpetuate inequities for racial minorities. How can we mobilise anti-racist practice to reduce racial health inequalities in the health and care sector?

    Race Equity Maturity Index

    The Race Equity Maturity Index is a tool developed by London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) to support organisations in progressing race equity by enabling the tracking and improvement of race maturity levels. The index supports organisations in the actions they take to embed anti-racist practice. The REMI therefore complements the current equality, diversity and inclusion assessments and initiatives that health and care organisations are committed to.

    Session details

    In November 2024, representatives from across the health and care sector joined us for a two-hour learning and engagement event to learn how to assess and manage change to address racial inequities within and beyond your organisation.

    This interactive event included:
    ● A discussion of the organisational benefits of race equity practice
    ● An outline of how the co-produced index was developed
    ● An overview of the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI) stages of implementation
    ● An outline of the support available to organisations whilst implementing the REMI
    ● A Q&A panel with cross sector representation

    View the session recording:

    Audience Questions and Answers:

    The literature review covers a selection of papers and online articles that discuss the structure, uses and features of maturity indexes. 

    We intend to publish the review in due course.

    The REMI can apply to any size organisation, however if the organisation is very small it may be easier to team up with one or more other organisations to form some sort of support hub.  This can also encourage peer accountability and quality checking throughout the process. 

    For instance, two small organisations within the same sector may wish to partner to formulate a race equity strategy that is usable for both, or to form a race equity working group (stage 2) or they may wish to pool resources for training etc.  Having said this, each organisation must complete their own progress sheet and formulate individual and specific action points at the end of each assessment.

    The REMI can be used by a single department.  As long as there is someone within the department who can oversee the implementation of the REMI.  There are some documents required by the REMI, such as the race equality strategy, which are usually formulated at leadership level, so the department may have to request these documents. If they are not readily available the department can adopt or formulate them in collaboration with external stakeholders, as required by the REMI.

    The ‘being aware’ stage of the REMI does include most of what is mentioned here.  The external industry reports is the only aspect that is not required by REMI but this can be done on then organisations own initiative as an additional activity.

    The REMI toolkit currently does not include a presentation resource. However, you can download the presentation from this session here. We’re also happy to support organisations in raising awareness more broadly within their teams.

    This area has not yet been explored, but we are actively looking to expand the reach of REMI into other sectors, including education. The pace and scope of this expansion will depend on future funding opportunities.

  • Webinars: Support with implementing the REMI

    Webinars: Support with implementing the REMI

    What is the session about?

    Are you looking for guidance on implementing the Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI) in your organisation? Join one of our upcoming drop-in workshop sessions, designed to address your questions and challenges in embedding anti-racist practices.

    These informal, online sessions provide an opportunity to:

    • Gain clarity on using REMI to assess and progress your organisation’s race equity maturity.
    • Discuss implementation challenges with peers.
    • Access tailored advice to support your organisation’s journey toward race equity.

    Race Equity Maturity Index

    The Race Equity Maturity Index is a tool developed by London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) to support organisations in progressing race equity by enabling the tracking and improvement of race maturity levels. The index supports organisations in the actions they take to embed anti-racist practice.

    The REMI therefore complements the current equality, diversity and inclusion assessments and initiatives that health and care organisations are committed to.

    You can download the Race Equity Maturity Index via a form.

    There are also additional resources on the website to aid in implementing the tool within your organisation.

    View the session recording:

  • LARCH Learning Event: Data, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities

    LARCH Learning Event: Data, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities

    Data is a powerful tool in tackling health inequalities and shaping interventions that improve people’s lives. Despite challenges with the quality of ethnicity data, it remains essential for understanding and addressing disparities in health. This event focuses on how we can use ethnicity data more effectively to create targeted solutions and drive better health outcomes for Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic Londoners.

    Who is this event for?

    This event is for those in the health and social care sector, and working on health and wellbeing issues: including integrated care systems, public health, and especially middle management and leaders.

    Key Contributors

    • Race Equality Foundation: Ethnicity data quality and consistency
    • City University: Understanding data to improve outcomes for ethnic health inequalities
    • Royal Free London NHS Hospital Trust & North Middlesex University Hospital: Data-led approaches to reducing health race inequalities.
    • NHS England: Exploring the Inequalities Dashboard

    The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH)

    This event is an activity of the LARCH programme. LARCH aims to empower health and care organisations to embed antiracist approaches and tackle health inequalities faced by Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic Londoners. Supported by the Greater London Authority and partners, the programme runs from April 2024 to March 2025, led by the Race Equality Foundation and Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London.

    Watch an overview of ethnicity data in health from the session here:

    Audience Questions & Answers

    Whilst our recent Wellcome funded study did not include care workers, there is little evidence that social care records the is information better.  Some work I did in the 1990s painted a similar picture, that there was a variability in recording, with frontline staff being unclear why this information was needed and what was going to be done with it (Jabeer Butt, CEO Race Equality Foundation). 

    • Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
    • Arthritis or long-term joint problems
    • Asthma or long-term chest problems
    • Blindness or severe visual impairment
    • Cancer in the last five years
    • Diabetes
    • Deafness or severe hearing impairment
    • Epilepsy
    • High Blood Pressure
    • Kidney or liver disease
    • Long-term back problem
    • Long-term mental health problem
    • Long-term neurological problem 

  • LARCH Learning Event: Hearing Community Voices: Effective Engagement to Reduce Health Inequality

    LARCH Learning Event: Hearing Community Voices: Effective Engagement to Reduce Health Inequality

    Hearing Community Voices: Effective Engagement to Reduce Health Inequality

    Listening to the voices of those for whom services are designed and delivered is not just good practice—it’s essential. True progress requires meaningful engagement with service users, placing co-production approaches at the forefront. This event will equip organisations to move beyond the barriers of engagement, offering actionable solutions for effectively involving Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic communities in the fight against health inequalities.

    Who is this event for?

    This event is for London based organisations working across health and care, including NHS trusts, CCGs, ICSs, local authorities, adult social care providers, public health teams, community services, charities, and voluntary groups. Whether you work in service design, delivery, or policy, it offers practical strategies to enhance co-production and ensure services meet the needs of Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic communities.

    What is LARCH?

    The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) is a programme of activities to help the health and care sector embed an anti-racist approach to take action to address the inequalities in health that Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic Londoners experience.

    Learn more about the LARCH here: https://anti-racism.london/

    This event is taking place on January 22 at 10.30-12.30 and is the third in a series of events to provide the opportunity for organisations in health and care to explore evidence, share learning, and practice to address health inequalities. Through these events, we aim to foster a network of engaged organisations and individuals and facilitate the collective commitment to embedding anti-racist practices.

    Watch the speaker sessions from the event:

    Community participation and engagement: our current approach and a vision for the future – Rini Jones (NHS Race & Health Observatory)

    From Strategy to Reality: Co-Production for Equality – Keymn Whervin (Directors of Adass Adult Social Services)

    Anti-racism and co-production with communities – Safia Marcano (ADPH London)

    Co-production and allyship with the London Bangladeshi Community – Riyadul Karim (NHS England London)

    Trust: a centrepiece of community engagement – Lucy Morgan (The Health Policy Partnership)