Engaging Ethnically Diverse Communities

Engagement with ethnically diverse communities and tenants is crucial to understanding their housing experiences and needs. All too often, ethnically diverse communities are considered ‘hard-to-reach’. This page provides advice on how to overcome perceived engagement barriers.

How does this link to Anti-racist Wales Action Plan?

ARWAP asks housing providers to:

• Improve communication and engagement with ethnic minority people
• Demonstrate how they will ensure that anti-racism and race equality are embedded within their services. This includes housing needs and conditions.
• Housing associations need to comply with regulatory standards: RS1 c) evidence based commitments including anti-racism & RS3 b) deliver services which meet diverse needs
• Use new LHMA process and guidance focused on better understanding housing needs of ethnic minority people.

What you need to know

• There are no ‘hard-to-reach’ communities. The term implies blame on communities themselves rather than questioning lack of accessibility. Read more about it here.
• Local authorities and other public authorities in Wales have a legal duty to engage with diverse people. See guidance from ERHC. 

What you can do 

Engaging with ethnically diverse communities requires thoughtful consideration and cultural sensitivity. Here are some important considerations:

• Train your staff e.g. Asylum Seekers and Refugees Cultural Awareness, Cultural Competency , Engaging with Diverse & Underrepresented Groups 
• Commit to do no harm and ensure the process is not extractive to the people you engage e.g. recognise people’s time through payment or other appropriate benefits/means, don’t over promise, clearly explain reasons, take the lead from the people you engage, ask for feedback. See Tai Pawb Lived Experience Principles.
• Consider the need for translation or interpreting (BAWSO service, WITS Service, The Big Word)
• Avoid religious and cultural dates and choose the right time, e.g. Friday afternoons will not be good for practising Muslims (Tai Pawb Inclusion Calendar) 
• Use inclusive language (Tai Pawb Inclusive Language Guide)
• Literacy levels in English/mother tongue in some communities may be lower. In these cases printed materials may not be helpful. Use plain English, or Welsh and other strategies. 
• Educate yourself about the cultures, traditions, customs, and histories of the communities you wish to engage with e.g. see this guide to different countries, South Asian cultures, Somali culture, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Cultures, Black history in Wales etc. 
• Choose the right location and method: if people gather in certain places, take their lead and go to their preferred locations.
• Establish partnerships with community organisations and people with networks in the community. Build long term relationships rather than only contacting them when needed.
• Invest in ethnic minority community groups: these are often small organisations. Consider funding, capacity building, coaching or access to your organisation’s resources, assets etc.

Organisations that can provide further information:

• See this directory of ethnic minority organisations from Shelter Cymru 
• Refugee Community Organisations Directory
• Ethnic Youth Support Team
• Travelling Ahead
• All Wales People First
• Hindu Cultural Association (Wales)
• Race Equality First
• Co-production Network Wales

• North Wales Race Equality Network
• Race Council Cymru
• BAWSO
• Welsh Refugee Council
• Oasis Centre
• Trinity Centre Cardiff
• Displaced People in Action
• African Community Centre
• Gypsies & Travellers Wales
• Swansea Chinese Community Co-op Centre
• Romani Cultural and Arts Company
• Show Racism the Red Card