Black and ethnically minoritised people are already leading change across the North East VCSE sector, yet too many do so without access to mentoring that reflects their lived experience, values, and realities.
Leadership support is often designed without us, delivered to us rather than with us, and rarely rooted in long‑term relationships or community accountability.
This programme exists to change that.
About Black-Led Futures NE
Black-Led Futures NE is a new, regional mentoring programme for and by people from Black and ethnically minoritised communities working and volunteering in our north east voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. We will provide over 200 hours of social leadership mentoring.
It is led by Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre working in collaboration with Yes We Can. The first programme runs May 2026 to December 2027.
By offering free, Black‑led mentoring grounded in solidarity, co‑learning and trust, it creates space for emerging leaders to grow with confidence, clarity and connection.
Our aim is not only to support individuals, but to strengthen collective power, retain and sustain Black leadership in the sector, and build a lasting, community‑owned mentoring infrastructure that shifts who leads, how leadership is nurtured, and whose knowledge is valued in the North East.
Who is it for?
The free mentoring support is for social leaders from Black and ethnically minoritised communities working and volunteering in the north east VCSE sector who are in the earlier stages of their careers and/or taking on leadership responsibility for the first time.
This includes individuals setting up, leading and managing charities and social enterprises; those working independently for positive social change in our region; and volunteers, including charity trustees.
What’s on offer?
Each mentee will receive around nine hours of mentoring from a trained and supported mentor. Each mentor will work to a mentoring framework and the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) foundation level mentoring competencies.
For mentors
Could you be a mentor?
We are looking for 25 people from Black and ethnically minoritised communities across the north east with experience of social leadership and a commitment to mentoring emerging social leaders from Black and ethnically minoritised communities. You don’t need to have mentored before.
This is an opportunity to learn, develop and grow through supporting others as a mentor. It is a volunteer role. We think giving a little of your time will make a big difference to others. And to you through developing your skills, resilience and confidence.
What will you receive as a mentor?
You will receive training to achieve the EMCC foundation level mentoring competencies, programme handbook and paperwork, support, reflection sessions with your fellow mentors, and out of pocket expenses. The training sessions are in September and November.
We will end the programme with a celebration event for mentors and mentees.
Want to take part and become a mentor? Join us!
If you’d like to become a Black-Led Futures NE mentor, we’d love to hear from you. Your first step is to fill in our short form and we’ll be in touch.
For mentees
Are you looking for a mentor?
The programme will open for people looking for mentoring later in the summer. You can fill in our short expression of interest form if you’d like us to tell you when it opens.
About Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre
Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre (SBIC) supports racially minoritised and racially marginalised communities. We promote racial and social justice through initiatives in health, employability, enterprise and education. Our work positively influences disadvantaged individuals, their families, and communities, while also contributing to economic and societal progress.