Have We Lost Trust in The Westway Trust?

Westway Trust Historical Context

 The Westway Trust, established in 1971, was founded with the noble intention of fostering economic and cultural development in North Kensington by giving residents a voice and control over the land beneath the elevated A40. However, as gentrification intensified, the Trust increasingly prioritised lucrative development deals over community empowerment.

 Over the decades, the Trust has faced serious allegations of institutional racism and neglect towards its predominantly migrant communities. The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 brought renewed scrutiny, particularly over the Trust’s treatment of the local Muslim community and other marginalised groups.

 The fallout from the Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives, many from migrant backgrounds, exposed the inequalities in housing and safety in the area. The Muslim community, in particular, felt the impact of the inadequate response to the tragedy, leading to demands for accountability from institutions like the Westway Trust.

 This article is part of a series examining whether the Westway Trust and other local organisations have genuinely transformed their approach to community engagement or if their efforts are merely superficial.

 The Tutu Foundation Review

 In 2018, in response to ongoing allegations of institutional racism, the Westway Trust commissioned the Tutu Foundation UK to conduct an independent review. Led by Dr Nadia Habashi, the review uncovered a “legacy of institutional racism” and revealed that the Trust had consistently failed to adequately represent and engage with local Black and ethnic minority communities. It also highlighted a “culture of exclusion,” where community voices were often marginalised and decisions were made without meaningful consultation.

 In response to ongoing allegations of institutional racism, the Westway Trust commissioned the Tutu Foundation UK to conduct a review. The review found the Trust had lost sight of its original purpose, and its leadership lacked diversity. The report called for a formal apology, a commitment to reparative justice, and significant governance changes to ensure that local communities had a genuine say in the Trust’s operations.

 Community Involvement in the Review Process

 To gather insights into the community’s experiences and perspectives, Dr Nadia Habashi engaged with various groups, including local community organisations, Muslim community representatives—particularly in light of the significant impact the Grenfell Tower fire had on the local Muslim population—Black and ethnic minority groups, activists and community leaders, and survivors and families affected by Grenfell. This engagement sought to understand their specific concerns and experiences, as well as how the Trust’s actions (or inactions) had affected their daily lives.

 The review process stood out for its emphasis on community involvement. A Community Advisory Group (CAG) was established to ensure that local voices were heard and included in the discussions. Dr Habashi conducted 93 interviews with community members, focusing on those from Black, Muslim, and ethnic minority backgrounds. This participatory approach was designed to build trust and confidence in the review process, providing the community with a platform to openly express their grievances and aspirations.

 The findings of the review resonated deeply with local the community, who had long felt alienated from the Trust. The report underscored the need for the Trust to adopt a reparatory justice approach, focusing on restitution, rehabilitation, and genuine engagement with the North Kensington community.

The Westway Trust’s Response

Following the release of the Tutu Foundation report, the Westway Trust publicly acknowledged its long-term culture of institutional racism. The Trust’s leadership expressed a commitment to change, stating that the review provided an opportunity to examine its culture and practices. They pledged to implement the recommendations, including increasing diversity within the Trust’s governance structures and prioritising community engagement in decision-making processes.

 In 2021, Venu Dhupa, a cultural leader with a background in international development, was recruited to the CEO position in the Trust. Her tenure began during a particularly difficult period for the Trust, with the organisation still grappling with the fallout from the Tutu Foundation report and longstanding accusations of institutional racism and mismanagement.

 Dhupa’s leadership has been marked by efforts to implement reforms and address these deep-seated issues. She has publicly emphasised her commitment to inclusivity and transparency, positioning herself as a bridge between the Trust and the local community. In line with the recommendations from the Tutu Foundation report, Dhupa has pushed for increased diversity within the Trust’s governance structures and has sought to prioritise community engagement in decision-making processes.

 However, the community’s response has been mixed. While some welcomed the Trust’s acknowledgement of its past failures, many remain sceptical about the sincerity and effectiveness of the proposed reforms. Community activists argue that the changes thus far have been largely superficial, with deep-rooted issues of exclusion and mistrust persisting.

 The Treatment of the Muslim Community Post-Grenfell

 The Grenfell Tower fire highlighted the vulnerabilities of the local Muslim community among others, many of whom were directly affected by the tragedy. In the aftermath, these individuals felt side-lined in the recovery efforts and inadequately supported by institutions, including the Westway Trust. The Tutu Foundation report noted that the Trust’s historical neglect contributed to a lack of trust in the community, exacerbating feelings of alienation.

 Local leaders and activists have called for the Trust to take concrete actions to rebuild relationships with the Muslim community. They argue that true change requires not only acknowledging past mistakes but also actively working to address the ongoing needs and concerns of all community groups.

 Evidence of Change or Superficial Reform?

 In recent years, the Westway Trust has launched initiatives to foster community engagement, such as the Transformation Grants programme, which focuses on social justice and equity. The Trust has committed £450,000 over four years to support community-led projects that address systemic injustices. Venu Dhupa, the Trust’s CEO, has emphasised the importance of enabling organisations to make a meaningful impact on the challenges faced by local communities.

 These initiatives, while promising, may not be sufficient to overcome the deep-seated mistrust that has developed over decades. Many community members remain cautious, insisting that the Trust demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusivity and accountability through sustained action rather than one-off grants or superficial changes.

While it has taken steps to acknowledge its past failures and engage with the community, the question remains: has it genuinely changed, or are these reforms merely superficial?

For the Trust to rebuild trust and truly serve the diverse communities of North Kensington, it must embrace a culture of transparency, accountability, Inclusion and meaningful engagement. Only then can it transform from an organisation marked by a legacy of institutional racism into a genuine partner for the communities it was established to serve.

Disclaimer: Some research for this article was conducted using AI