Ubuntu Maat Children's Trust. Community feedback & Discussion

Event Summary

We are exploring the creation of a groundbreaking new institution: Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust — an independent, Black-led children’s trust in the UK.

Guided by the African principles of Ubuntu (I am because we are) and Maat (truth, justice, balance, harmony), this initiative seeks to protect, support, and empower Black children and families. Our vision is to build a community-led alternative that:

• Challenges racism in child protection, education, and health systems.
• Provides culturally rooted care and advocacy for children and parents.
• Ensures Black children grow up represented, valued, and connected to their heritage.

We’ve drafted a Strategic Plan, now available for you to read, and we want to hear from you. This event is about community engagement and feedback — your voice will help shape whether and how Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust takes form.

Come, share your thoughts, and be part of building a movement to create balance, restore justice, and uplift the next generation.

While this event is listed as a seminar, it is highly interactive — attendees will have the opportunity to review the Strategic Plan, share feedback, and help shape the vision for Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust.

📖 Strategic Plan for Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust

Our Vision

A future where Black children in the UK grow up safe, loved, and empowered within communities that honour their culture, identity, and potential — guided by the African principles of Ubuntu(shared humanity) and Maat (truth, justice, balance, and harmony).

Our Mission

To protect, support, and empower Black children and families by creating independent, community-led systems of care, education, and advocacy that:

• Challenge racial injustice in child protection, health, and education.
• Provide culturally rooted alternatives for children and families.
• Ensure every Black child grows up with dignity, belonging, and opportunity.

Our Core Values

• Ubuntu – I am because we are: we rise together as a community.
• Maat – truth, justice, balance, harmony, reciprocity, and righteousness.
• Representation – Black children must be seen, heard, and valued in every space.
• Accountability – we create systems of oversight when mainstream institutions fail.
• Empowerment – we equip parents and children to claim their rights and shape their futures.

Our Strategic Priorities (2025–2028)

1. Child Protection & Family Advocacy

• Establish a Case Advocacy Unit to support Black parents navigating complex child protection and family systems.
• Create an Independent Oversight Panel of Black professionals, elders, and parents to review cases and provide community-grounded perspectives.
• Train community advocates to accompany parents in key meetings and processes.

2. Education & Representation

• Launch a Maat Supplementary School (Saturday/evening program) teaching African/Caribbean history, heritage, and academic skills.
• Establish an Education & School Advocacy Service to support families facing racism, exclusions, and SEN (special educational needs) challenges.
• Partner with schools to deliver anti-racist and culturally competent training for teachers.

3. Health & Wellbeing

• Build a Health & Wellbeing Assessment Hub providing holistic, culturally informed assessments for Black children (physical, neurological, and emotional).
• Partner with Black therapists, doctors, and holistic practitioners.
• Create safe spaces for children and young people to access trauma-informed care.

4. Community Empowerment & Accountability

• Form a Community Assembly of parents, carers, professionals, and young people to shape and oversee services.
• Hold bi-annual town halls to listen to community voices and report progress.
• Publish annual reports on racial inequality in child protection and education systems.

Our First-Year Roadmap (2025–2026)

• Register Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
• Recruit founding trustees and advisors (parents, professionals, elders).
• Launch pilot projects:
• Case Advocacy Unit (support at least 20 families in year one).
• • Education & School Advocacy Service (support at least 30 children in school-related cases).
  • Maat Supplementary School (pilot with 25 children, weekly sessions).
• Build partnerships with Black professional networks, schools, and community groups.
• Apply for grants (The Phoenix Way, National Lottery, BBC Children in Need, Paul Hamlyn Foundation).
• Launch a membership and donation program to sustain long-term funding.

How We Will Measure Success

• Number of families supported in education and child protection cases.
• Reduction in exclusions and improved outcomes for children supported.
• Growth of supplementary school (attendance, parental feedback, academic confidence).
• Published reports influencing local and national policy.
• Strong community engagement (attendance at town halls, membership growth).

Our Call to Action

Ubuntu Maat Children’s Trust is more than an organisation — it is a movement to protect and uplift Black children in the UK. We invite parents, professionals, funders, and community partners to join us in building independent, culturally rooted systems of care, education, and justice.

Together, guided by Ubuntu and Maat, we will create balance, restore justice, and ensure that every Black child grows up knowing: I am because we are.