Community Champions shape and deliver the activities in response to the needs of local people. Residents set up their own social activities with objectives of reducing social isolation and empowering people to be active in their local community.
Who
Race Equality First set up this project for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in the local area who are experiencing social isolation.
What
Three weekly user-led groups providing social activities for local people who already attend weekly ESOL and IT sessions run by the organisation.
Where
Newport
When
2020-2022
Race Equality First (REF) was established in 1976 the same year that new legislation under the Race Relations Act was introduced. The organisation spearheaded campaigns to tackle racial discrimination and support people who had been discriminated against across Wales.
The community group provides health and wellbeing advice, support services, ESOL classes, and campaigns on local and national issues. This Trust funded project is focussed on the needs of the local community and tackles several health inequalities through activity based initiatives.
One activity set up by men from different faith groups and ethnic minority backgrounds in the community was a badminton group. The badminton sessions provided an opportunity for people in the local area to form social connections. As social connections were built, project participants felt empowered to share their experiences of racial discrimination and seek advice from REF on tackling discrimination they had faced.
We have been raising awareness of the deep rooted inequalities that exist in Wales for over 40 years and we hope that this will be a wake up call to governments and policy makers. Now more than ever communities need to be empowered and given the resources to tackle discrimination and systemic inequalities.
Sy Joshua
Advice Service Manager
