Five years ago, the world changed. The pandemic reshaped how we live and work, forcing businesses to embrace flexibility in ways many previously resisted. For disabled people, carers, and many others, remote work wasn’t just convenient - it was a long-overdue step towards fairness.

Then came the murder of George Floyd, bringing conversations about race and equality into the spotlight. Businesses made big DEI commitments, and while some are still pushing forward, others are cutting budgets or rolling back protections, with claims that diversity has “gone too far.”

It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change. Progress isn’t guaranteed, and just because something improves doesn’t mean it will last. The past five years have shown that when we push for change, we can reshape the world around us. But they’ve also proved why we can’t afford to slow down - something our CEO Cynthia V Davis CBE spoke about at Newcastle Building Society for Race Equality Week. More on that further down...

Oliver, Director of Marketing

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LET'S GET INTO IT 👇

LGBTQ+ youth homelessness - why is no one talking about it?

A new report by akt, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness, reveals a hidden crisis in the UK, with many forced to choose between a safe home and being themselves. Despite making up a disproportionate number of homeless youth, their experiences are often overlooked in government data and service provision.

Why are LGBTQ+ young people at higher risk?

Many LGBTQ+ young people become homeless due to family rejection, discrimination, or a lack of safe housing options. Trans and non-binary youth are especially vulnerable, with higher rates of homelessness and mental health struggles. The report highlights that ethnically diverse LGBTQ+ young people face a 50% higher risk of homelessness, while many experience hidden homelessness - sofa surfing, staying in unsafe environments, or being forced into survival strategies just to find a place to sleep.

What needs to change?

akt is calling for urgent action, including better data collection, tailored housing support, and legal protections to ensure LGBTQ+ young people aren’t left without options. The report makes it clear: this crisis won’t fix itself. Without meaningful change, too many LGBTQ+ youth will continue to be pushed into homelessness, struggling to find a place where they can truly be safe.

Could toy libraries help struggling families and the environment?

Campaigners in Wales are calling for a national network of toy libraries to help low-income families, reduce waste, and create stronger communities. While toy libraries already exist across the UK, there are only a handful in Wales - leaving many families without access to this vital resource.

Why do toy libraries matter?

Toy libraries allow families to borrow toys for a small fee, making play more accessible for children from lower-income backgrounds. They also help cut waste, keeping toys out of landfill and supporting the circular economy. Beyond financial and environmental benefits, toy libraries create spaces where families can meet, reducing social isolation - especially for parents who may struggle to access other community groups.

What needs to happen next?

Friends of the Earth Cymru, Early Years Wales, and other campaigners have called on the Welsh government to expand toy libraries across the country. They argue that this would support children’s right to play, ease financial pressure on parents, and contribute to sustainability efforts. With families facing rising costs and disposable plastic toys creating environmental concerns, expanding toy libraries could be a simple but powerful solution.

Are Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage children being failed by safeguarding?

A new report by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has found that race and racism are largely ignored in child safeguarding, leaving Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage children at greater risk of harm. Of the 53 children studied—who had died or suffered serious harm—many had been failed by a system that overlooked racial bias and the impact of culture on decision-making.

How is race being overlooked in safeguarding?

The report highlights a widespread silence on race and racism in safeguarding reviews. Many professionals hesitate to discuss racism, meaning crucial factors like racial bias in risk assessments and family dynamics are ignored. In some cases, children’s disclosures of abuse - particularly from Asian and Mixed Asian heritage girls - were dismissed or not properly investigated. Even when families raised concerns about racism, reviews often failed to meaningfully engage with these claims.

What needs to change?

The panel calls for urgent reforms, including mandatory training on racism in safeguarding, stronger accountability measures, and more open discussions about bias in child protection services. Without these changes, Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage children will continue to be overlooked, left without the protection they need and deserve. This report is a wake-up call - ensuring every child is safeguarded must include recognising and addressing the role of race and racism in the system.

Why DEI must stay a priority: Cynthia V Davis CBE at Race Equality Week

For Race Equality Week 2025, our CEO Cynthia V Davis CBE spoke at Newcastle Building Society about why DEI efforts must continue, even as some organisations cut budgets and lose focus.

Cynthia reflected on the progress made since the murder of George Floyd but warned against diversity fatigue - where businesses start seeing DEI as less important. She made it clear: DEI isn’t a trend. It should be part of how an organisation works, not just a short-term initiative.

She also highlighted mandatory government reporting on ethnicity and disability and the need for data to track pay gaps, progression, and retention. But true inclusion goes beyond numbers - it’s about making sure people feel valued and supported at work. That includes properly backing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and giving them the senior sponsorship they need to drive real change.

At a time when there’s more pushback against DEI, Cynthia’s message was clear: we can’t afford to slow down.

Watch Cynthia's full talk here. 📺

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