New report from Bristol Somali Youth Voice: "The impact of the increasing cost of living on the minority ethnic community in Bristol"
Bristol's minority ethnic communities are among the groups disproportionally affected by the challenges of deprivation, poverty, and inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic.
Survey data was combined with testimony from participants to provide an understanding of how the cost of living and increasing energy bills are affecting. Respondents were from various ethnic minorities and of different ages, genders, and professions.
The study found:
- 67% of participants felt that the cost of living crisis was having a detrimental effect on their mental health and wellbeing. Participants said they were worried and anxious about their ability to meet costs.
- Persistent worries and anxiety caused by the crisis were felt to make people more susceptible to physical illnesses like the flu, especially coupled with food insecurity.
- While some reported missing meals, many said that their ability to buy quality food and eating healthy was significantly impacted.
- Children and young people are missing out on sport activities, social events, and educational opportunities like school trips and tutoring.
I have family of 5. I work full time. The increasing cost of living has caused hardship and struggle to my life; energy bills, food prices have all increased. This has expanded my household expenditures and my wages are stagnant. Budgeting pressures have affected the quality of food we buy. Fuel prices are also on the rise. The crisis has impacted all my family: they can’t make choices, influencing on the quality food, clothes we buy, the crisis has affected my day-to-day life.
Mohamed A Sayaqle, researcher and chair of Bristol Somali Youth Voice said: "Our research targets minority ethnic communities who were disproportionally affected by challenges of poverty, deprivations, and inequalities.
"Unfortunately, again, the increasing cost of living also hit hard on them. Both the current crisis and COVID-19 have parallel spiral effect on disadvantaged community groups, and there is urgent need to develop culturally responsive services to support the community during this difficult time."
Said Burale, Vice Chair of Bristol Somali Forum said: "inequality has been an issue for the minority ethnic communities in Bristol, and we want this study to help the city leaders to understand the depth of the challenges that crisis caused on disadvantaged community groups, and we hope they reflect its recommendations”.
For more information, you can contact Bristol Somali Youth Voice by emailing bristolsomaliyouthvoice@hotmail.com or calling 07533 736767.
Recommendations
- There is an urgent need to develop effective measures and initiatives to tackle down the impact of the crisis on disadvantaged community groups.
- Policy makers and service providers should develop targeted support to tackle mental health inequality which has been an issue for the minority ethnic community, exacerbated by this crisis.
- There is a need for the targeted youth support to provide culturally responsive youth provisions to tackle down on youth crimes, child exploitations and participation in county lines.
- There is a need to develop community led programs to reduce isolation, loneliness, and promote positive socialisations such as social prescribing projects, connecting people to nature and green space, walking groups, community clubs etc.
- There is a need to develop programs to promote physical and mental wellbeing of disadvantaged community groups.
- There is a need to improve accessibility of mental health services for minority ethnic communities.
- Many minority ethnic communities do not speak English as their first language, elders are amongst the most vulnerable groups. Lack of language proficiency, limited knowledge of the system, and the lack of digital skills are also affecting any support that target groups can access. Designing inclusive and culturally appropriate services. Frequent reviews and assessing loopholes could help to compile positive change.
- There is need to review and improve social security to reduce poverty and inequalities exacerbated by the crisis.
- The study illustrates concerns towards increasing number of young people involving youth crimes, especially young people from Somali heritage, Somali community is largest minority ethnic community in Bristol, and among the groups disproportionally affected by COVID-19. There is a need to develop target support for young Somalis to tackle down the youth crimes in deprived areas.
- Young people and adults from minority ethnic background are among underrepresented groups in using public transport and climate change dialogue. There is a need to promote active transport (walk, cycle, bus/train) and educate people about climate change to mitigate its impact at grass root level.
