The research draws on Bradford's South Asian community to explore how identity affects people's ability to voice their concerns, both within their own communities and to statutory agencies.

It focuses on sexuality, mental health, disability, and place of origin, and includes a review of existing participatory structures in the city.

It concludes that while efforts are made to hear from different communities, minority voices from within them can easily go unheard.

It suggests that a greater understanding of these communities, their needs, views and aspirations would help statutory organisations build more genuinely inclusive participatory processes.

Minority groups can be vulnerable as they find it difficult to voice their views. They are also most in need of the statutory organisations listening to and addressing their needs. A greater understanding of these minority communities may help statutory organisations to build more genuinely inclusive participatory processes.

Four community researchers worked alongside a team of seven academics to carry out research in their own communities. The researchers and academics were supported by a stakeholder group made up of staff from statutory and voluntary organisations. The research data was gathered through both participant observation and interviews.

The cultural and social hierarchies of Bradford’s South Asian community impact significantly on participation and which voices within the community are heard.

Minorities within the community, in particular:

Mosques play a key role in participation, but those who do not find the mosque an enabling place because of their sexuality or their caste, cannot make their views known.

Resource, capacity and leadership barriers within statutory organisations can limit the ability of individuals within them to address the needs of minorities within minorities. Community organisations catering for particular identity groups are crucial for supporting them and acting as channels for their views.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Phone: +44 1904 629241
info@jrf.org.uk

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//2006

Heather Blakey, Jenny Pearce, Graeme Chesters

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Ethnic minorities