Minority groups' needs 'not met'

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A three-year research project has found that "a lack of understanding" of minority groups exists in organisations and services in areas of north Wales.

The Cynnwys project found "oppressive attitudes, practices" and "individual and structural discrimination" in services in Gwynedd and Anglesey.

The police, councils and the NHS were among the organisations who could improve services, the report said.

The project was set up and supported by several of the groups it criticised.

Disabled, black and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay and bisexual people living in Gwynedd and Anglesey were surveyed for the report.

The research involved identifying the barriers faced by the minority groups when trying to access services.

It was found that there was a lack of understanding of minority groups by staff in many organisations and that as a result, many did not feel confident to approach services for help.

In many instances we were told that they felt 'forgotten' Project worker Jen Rowlands

The report also found there was a lack of support groups and networks for the minority groups and recommended the creation of a multi-culture community centre in Bangor.

More flexible Welsh and English language courses for ethnic minority people living in the areas were also called for.

Access to buildings and the lack of bus services in rural areas were identified as among the barriers to inclusion for disabled people.

Project worker Jen Rowlands said: "Our research has found sometimes oppressive attitudes, practices as well as individual, institutional and structural discrimination in the area.

"In many instances we were told that they felt 'forgotten', and that the services were not interested in hearing their opinions," she added.

It was hoped the report would highlight the inadequacies of the situation in Gwynedd and Anglesey and lead to a fairer, more inclusive community, she said.

Health advice

Some minority groups have already benefited from the research.

Following consultation with the Chinese community in their area, Gwynedd Council set up a event featuring 80 service providers all offering health advice and using Chinese translators to communicate with people with little English or Welsh.

"It was a very useful exercise because the service providers were able to tell the older Chinese community about their entitlements, including the free bus pass, that they would not have known about otherwise," said Ms Rowlands.

Responding to the report, Chief Supt Gareth Pritchard of North Wales Police said the force had sought to improve their conduct with minority and vulnerable groups.

"We have greatly increased the detection rates in terms of race and hate crimes," he said.

"We will continue to develop our conduct with minority groups and welcome discussion with their representatives to further improve the service we can deliver to these groups."