Contents

Acknowledgements

List of Tables

Executive Summary

Part one: Introduction and context of the research

Introduction

Research aims and objectives

Recent research on rural racism

Community profile of the Norton Radstock area

Black and other minority ethnic population

Data on reported racist incidents

Summary and conclusions

Part Two: Research design

Introduction

The management of the research

Fulfilling the research objectives

Using local researchers

Accessing Black and OME interviewees

Sample achieved

Carrying out the interviews

Analysing the results

Problems, constraints and opportunities arising

Research assistants: experience of the project

Summary and conclusions

Part Three: Research findings: service providers

Introduction and overview

Race equality schemes, statements and policies

Perceptions of the Norton Radstock area

The size of the black and OME population

Awareness of the needs and experiences of the local black and OME community

• Racism in rural areas

• Complacent attitudes

• The use of services by black and OME people

Needs identified

• Discrimination

• Health needs

• Language issues

• Dual heritage identity

• Cultural sensitivity in service provision

Lack of awareness of needs

• Absence of systematic ethnic monitoring

• Lack of outreach work

• A ‘colour blind’ approach

Examples of good practice

Racist incidents and racial harassment

• Confusion over ‘racist incidents’

Staffing

• Staff awareness levels and training needs

Longer term ideas

Summary and conclusions

Part Four: Interviewees experiences of the Norton Radstock area

Introduction and overview

The sample (gender, age, ethnicity)

• Place of residence

• Length of residence

• Reasons for moving to the area

• Extended family in the area

Experiences of living in the Norton Radstock area

• Positive experiences

• Isolation

• ‘Fitting in’

• Standing out and being stared at

• Racist remarks and assumptions

• Impact upon identity

Experiences of hostility

Racism within schools

• Racist incidents

• Name-calling

• Treatment of black and OME children

• The school curriculum and ethos

• Cultural differences and needs

• Positive experiences

Racism at home

• Racism in the family

• Racism in the neighbourhood

• Coping strategies

• Police involvement

Racism at work

• Racism from service users/customers

• Racism from employers and colleagues

• Not being valued

Politics

Racism during leisure time

• In local pubs

• Outings with children

• Shopping

• Public transport

Difficulties in using voluntary and statutory sector services

What would make Norton Radstock a better place to live?

• Changing attitudes

• More Black and OME people

• The role of schools

• Community resources

Summary and conclusions

Part Five: Conclusions and recommendations

Introduction and overview

Experiences of isolation and racism

Problems and barriers in accessing local services

Recommendations

Appendices

References

 

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the two research assistants, Pippa Walkes and Lisa Wall for the substantial contribution they have made to this research project. They have both provided invaluable assistance by helping to shape the researchand making links within the community. Their perseverance and commitment to the issues has encouraged local people to engage with the project. It has been a pleasure to work with two such dedicated and thoughtful people.

Thanks to all the staff from voluntary and statutory sector organisations whotook part in the research. I appreciate the time people have given to take part,and I look forward to hearing their views and comments on the researchfindings and recommendations when they are circulated. Thanks also to those of you who helped access potential interviewees through your networks.

I am grateful to staff at B&NES REC for their support and guidance. Ruksana Ghoas helped to get the research project started before she left her post as Director, and since then Beryl Dixon and Jason Pegg have been supportiveand encouraging in their management of the project. Thanks also to Julie Brown, Glyn Roberts and the rest of the team at B&NES Racial Equality Council for their administrative support and for making me feel so welcome on my visits to the REC offices. Also, special thanks to Glyn for his help with the charts and tables.

The PRIDE (Partnership for Racial Identity of Diverse Ethnicities) steering group members have made an important contribution to the project direction. Carl Saunders was instrumental in securing funding so that this piece of work could go ahead. I would also like to thank Mel Clinton (B&NES Local Partnerships Manager) along with Annette Ford, for being focused on the future so that there will hopefully be mechanisms in place to take this work forward.

Rashad Azami, Imam at the Bath Islamic Centre, gave me some useful contacts in the Norton Radstock area, and Shobha Das at SARI agreed to pass on information about the project, which helped access participants. hanks to you both.

Finally, I would like to thank the 35 people who took part in the research, and talked so openly about what were often difficult and painful experiences to recount. Your collective experiences and views form the backbone of this report: the strength and level of difficulties you have expressed will mean that racism in Norton Radstock is no longer hidden. I hope your contributions will act as a lever for change in the future.

 

List of Tables

Table 1: Gender Breakdown of the Sample

Table 2: Age Breakdown of the Sample

Table 3: Ethnic Breakdown of the Sample

Table 4: Places of Residence within the Norton Radstock Area

Table 5: Length of Residence in the Area

Table 6: Levels of Hostility

 

 

 

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