Reporting Inequality, Amplifying Voices in Brent
This blog was written by guest writer Riham Lotfi as part of our place-based organising work and community reporting project in Brent.
Becoming a Brent Community Reporter has been more than just a role — it’s been a personal mission. As a mother, an educator, and a resident of Brent, I’ve always cared about social justice. But this opportunity allowed me to do something I’d never done before: listen deeply, report honestly, and amplify stories that are often ignored.
The project, supported by The Equality Trust, trained a group of us to document the real experiences of people across Brent. It was about more than reporting — it was about connection. We weren’t outsiders looking in; we were part of the communities we covered.
In my reporting, I’ve met parents managing impossible housing conditions, young people eager for change but unsure where to begin, and carers — like myself — balancing invisible labour with everyday life. Through these stories, one thing is clear: inequality in Brent is not abstract — it’s lived, daily, and deeply felt.
What made this project different & dear to me is that it wasn’t just for researchers or policymakers. It was for us. We were trusted to represent our communities with care, context, and courage. As someone who works closely with families, women, and those with special educational needs, I found that this project gave me a new way to advocate — not just privately, but publicly.
In addition to being a Community Reporter, I also serve as the Good Food Box Promoter and Community Outreach Lead at Granville Community Kitchen — an organisation deeply rooted in Brent’s food justice movement. Through this work, I’ve witnessed how access to fresh, affordable food transforms lives, especially in underserved neighbourhoods.
Several people I interviewed spoke passionately about the lack of accessible green spaces in Brent. I was honoured to have the entire team visit Granville Recreation Ground and have one afternoon meeting there to see and experience this rare haven — a peaceful, beautiful garden that has become a lifeline for community wellbeing. Preserving and protecting such spaces is crucial.
It’s been empowering. I’ve gained new skills, confidence, and a stronger understanding of the links between local challenges and national structures. Being a Community Reporter means stepping into a space of responsibility — to tell the truth, to centre lived experience, and to speak up when others can’t.
As we approach the release of the project’s film, I’m hopeful. Hopeful that more people will hear these stories. Hopeful that they’ll understand that change starts with listening — really listening. And hopeful that this model of community-led reporting can be replicated in other boroughs, giving even more people the tools to document, challenge, and change the systems that affect them.
Brent Community Reporters and The Equality Trust team during a meeting at Granville Recreation Ground – a vital green space for local wellbeing.
