Case study: Building alliances to secure space together
This case study is aimed at cultural and community organisations looking for space.
Summary
The African Educational Cultural Health Organisation (AECHO), formed in 2003, is a charitable organisation based in Merton. It aims to assist people of African descent, and other minority ethnic communities, offering training in basic skills, citizenship, identity, diversity, enterprise, parenting and counselling. It also runs projects promoting community cohesion. AECHO wishes to manage its own space in future, with greater tenure security. Recognising significant space competition, AECHO has formed an alliance with other likeminded organisations, advocating for space while potentially finding shared space for alliance members.
Challenge
There is high demand for affordable space for voluntary sector organisations to deliver their services - many organisations are competing for the same space. Smaller organisations may find it more difficult to secure space, as their size can mean less capacity to build networks with decision makers, including those introducing them to property owners/managers. Smaller organisations may also have more limited budgets, therefore losing out to larger voluntary sector organisations in a competitive market.
AECHO currently operates from several spaces: one for its office base, and others for service delivery. None of these spaces are directly managed or controlled by AECHO, and one of the space's tenure security is limited.
Aim
AECHO wanted to:
- find premises with greater tenure security
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take decisions with greater autonomy around spaces operated from
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achieve greater recognition for its own work, as well as the work of other organisations led by (or serving) Black and racially minoritised communities
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have the same space access as other voluntary sector organisations.
Action
AECHO has identified two factors making it more challenging to secure affordable space with long-term tenure security. These are:
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a competitive property market
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limited visibility and recognition (among decision makers) of AECHO’s work, and work by organisations led by (or serving) Black and racially minoritised communities.
AECHO partnered with The Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Voice (BAME Voice), a coalition of 12 Black and racially minoritised organisations in Merton. It aims to provide capacity-building support, increasing influence, representation and active engagement of Black and racially minoritised organisations, as well as their communities in the area.
Impact
BAME Voice advocated for Merton Council to commission it, to conduct research on COVID-19’s impact on local communities. This research was ground-breaking, due to being carried out and led by Black and racially minoritised organisations. The research increased awareness within the council and clinical commissioning group, of the organisations and their contributions. It also provided a platform for future commissioning and collaboration.
The approach brought alliance members together around a common aspiration - securing a dedicated, shared building for Black and racially minoritised organisations, owned and managed by them.
Next steps for you
Consider building alliances with other organisations in similar positions, building collective capacity to secure spaces while increasing visibility of the important work you all deliver.
To find out more, email [email protected].
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