VONNE pledges its support to the North East Anti-Racism Coalition's Become the Bridge campaign

VONNE is proud to be an early adopter of the North East Anti Racism Coalition’s Become the Bridge campaign, an initiative that we hope will foster unity, community and strengthen collective action across the North East.  

As a membership organisation, VONNE’s mission is to support, advocate and strengthen the North East Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. We do this by listening to every voice and being supportive of all. Since the summer riots in 2024, so many of our members have told us they’ve faced racism and aggression directly, or are supporting a growing number of people who have. We need to hold the line for strong, inclusive communities across the North East where everyone feels welcome. We can’t do this without being fundamentally anti-racist, and amplifying the anti-racist voices we hear.   

We decided to sign up to the Become the Bridge campaign because it is important to support the North East Anti Racism Coalition and their mission for our region. VONNE are opposed to discrimination and systemic racism, and we strive to support equality, diversity and inclusion within our work and for our sector. Supporting this pledge shows that this is not just an individual priority but a sector and organisational one too.  

We would encourage other organisations to sign up because our region’s rich diversity and diverse history are one of its greatest strengths. This is what makes the North East a beautiful place and will help our communities to be resilient and thrive. Committing to this campaign strengthens accountability, allows sharing of good practice, and helps address systemic issues that we can’t change or face alone.  

Bringing organisations together in this shared mission will also help to create a supportive network, that is much needed in this political landscape. The campaign may also help to drive cultural change and embed positive behaviours into everyday life and organisation operations. Anti racism matters inside our organisation because we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone’s voice is heard regardless of job title, race, religion, gender etc. Addressing racial inequality strengthens our workplace and our sector ensuring we reflect and best serve the diverse communities in our region. 

We don’t proclaim to be experts or to hold answers, but we are here to listen and to learn; to support, and to build spaces where everyone belongs. By joining NEARC’s Become the Bridge campaign, we can hold fast to the vision of a positive, welcoming North East that works for all.