Working with BME Communites

Community Development

BVSNW’s approach to working with Black Minority Ethnic (BME) groups is quite unique. We aim to:

  • Support the creation of grassroots community groups.
  • Developing the capacity of these groups.
  • Working with established BME voluntary organisations.
  • Through effective networking and partnership development, encourage dialogue and activity between the grassroots voluntary sector and the public mainstream sector.

The above work over the long term is working towards the growth of a vibrant, professional and representative black voluntary sector in Wales.

In community development the how, why, practice and process are key to the work. Community work for social change needs reflection, a strong value base and the ability to work 'with people' to bring about this change. Community development work is underpinned by six basic values:

  • Social Justice – eg. challenging oppressive and discriminatory actions and attitudes.
  • Self determination – eg. valuing the concerns or issues that communities identify as their needs or starting points.
  • Working and Learning together – eg. supporting and developing individuals to contribute effectively to their communities.
  • Sustainable Communities – eg. promoting and supporting the empowerment of communities to develop their skills to take action.
  • Participation – eg. recognising and challenging barriers to engagement and supporting communities to participate.
  • Reflective Practice – eg. creating spaces for communities to thing about their previous work and to learn and plan better for the future

Ref: Federation for Community Development Learning – Good Practice Standards for Community Development Work

Please click here for useful community development jargon & terminology information.

Community Development from a Race Equality Perspective in Wales

According to the 2001 Population Census from the Office of National Statistics, out of some 2.9 million people resident in Wales 61,580 registered themselves as being from a black and minority ethnic group. These being largely concentrated in urban areas such as Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, whereas across the rest of Wales there are smaller numbers and in some cases isolated families and individuals living in rural and semi-rural settings – these being mainly in Mid, West and North Wales.

Some examples of work from a race equality perspective can be:

  • Developing structures, which enable the active involvement of people from disadvantaged groups to participate on an equal level.
  • Developing strategies for change that are sustainable and that enable individuals and communities to make a lasting positive impact on their lives. (ref Communties First Race Equality Guidelines 2006)

In response to the needs of BME communities in Wales as mentioned above, there is a thriving and active BME voluntary and community sector (consisting of a few hundred organisations and groups), which provides opportunities and direct services to a broad range of communities. These include work around the following areas:

Refugees & Asylum Seekers Disabilities & Chronic Ilnesses
Mental Health Political representation & Policy development
Sports development The Environment
Housing Arts & Heritage
Domestic Violence Capacity & Training
Young/Older People Drugs & Substance Misuse
Women & Children Faith Groups
Information, Advice & Legal matters Business & Enterprise Support

Some of BVSNW’s current Community Development Work

  • Capacity Building and funding application to the Big Lottery for the Chinese community services in Cardiff.
  • Working with Butetown Residents Action Group on obtaining funding for the building expansion of a local community centre.
  • Developing a number of networks to incorporate the needs, issues and concerns of BME communities to be raised at Ministerial, strategic and policy level.
  • Reviewing and developing the work of a local Bangladeshi community group in Newport.
  • Providing a national information service including quarterly newsletters, e-bulletin and general updates.

For further information, please contact Andree Morgan Andrews at BVSNW on 029 20440189 or by email to a.morganandrews@bvsnw.org.uk