The unfortunate recurring events in America of police brutality have led to the re-discussion of diversity on our own shores, which is welcomed. Whilst I chose not to march at the weekend, due to my own individual concerns of Coronavirus spreading, I did write to my local MP in a personal capacity about things I felt were affecting the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community nationally and locally during this pandemic.
Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19
On 2 June Public Health England published their research and analysis of disparities in the risks and outcomes of COVID-19. The research showed that the risk of dying among those diagnosed with COVID-19 included those living in the more deprived areas than those living in the least deprived; and higher in those in BAME groups than in white ethnic groups.
There has been a lot of criticism of the report.
Operation Black Vote have launched a campaign for a COVID-19 Race Equality Strategy that initially will deal with the immediacy of saving lives and thereafter resolving racial disparities in institutions. Their campaign highlights that:
- Black people are 4.2 times more likely to die from COVID-19
- 6 of every 10 COVID-19 Care worker deaths have been BAME
- More than 50% of bus drivers’ COVID-19 deaths have been BAME
- The first 20 doctors who died from COVID-19 – 90% were BAME
- 2 racist murders have been carried out by purposely infecting the virus
The Ubele Initiative is a social enterprise with a mission to contribute to the sustainability of the African Diaspora community. Their #weneedanswers campaign is calling for a government review into why BAME groups are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
As a number of VCSE organisations start to look at what the phase lifting of lockdown will mean for their organisation, you may want to consider how your COVID-19 secure processes take account of equality and diversity both from a staff/volunteer and beneficiary delivery perspective. The professional body for experts in people at work, the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD), has written a factsheet called Diversity and Inclusion in the time of Coronavirus.
Strengths of the local VCSE sector
One of the strengths of the VCSE sector is that communities can set up a charity or a social enterprise to resolve any diverse gaps in provision. This has led to the local sector having a wide variety of organisations including 11%* that are organisations led predominantly by people from BAME communities.
These include After18, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) based in Leicester that is helping Leicester’s young refugees to rebuild their lives. They are providing education support and a young women’s group online during the pandemic.
There are also local community radio stations, who are playing a vital role supporting people during the COVID-19 lockdown, especially those from diverse communities who want to know what is happening in their local neighbourhoods. Community radio acts as a trusted companion that can offer advice, information and a friendly voice for people who are shielding and adapting to the long-term impact of social distancing.
The sector is ever-evolving and if you feel there is a specific gap in provision to communities, then you might want to set up a social enterprise as part of your own plans for the recovery phase of COVID-19.
Disparities in institutions
It is important that we all continue to strive for a holistic local VCSE sector that is truly representative of the communities it serves.
In late 2017 the Charity Commission commissioned and published a national report called Taken on Trust. The research identified that men outnumber women on trustee boards by two to one. The majority (92%) of trustees are white, older and above average income and education. I utilised that research to write and deliver a local course on how to approach recruitment of trustees differently.
Nationally, a colleague from Bates Wells facilitated a roundtable for ACEVO with sector leaders to help decide a way forward. ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations. One of their actions was to form a race advisory group. Separate to this a Making Diversity Count project was launched. That project has 3 parts. First, a review of existing research on diversity in the charity sector. The second part, launched in August 2019, asked BAME charity workers to share their experiences and views through an online survey (which was open until 30 September 2019) and a small number of in-depth interviews. The third part will be an exploration of how change can be generated. This includes a report that will be launched on 17 June called Home Truths and looks at ‘race’ and racism within the charity sector and makes recommendations for creating long-term permanent change. We look forward to reading and sharing the report with you.
Making a difference
Finally you may have seen the BBC’s Making a Difference campaign. BBC Radio Leicester’s communities and inclusion editor, Marsha Ramroop, recognises that the VCSE sector is providing key support through their organisations right now and in doing so making a real difference.
Marsha is keen that you get in touch, so that they can highlight the diversity of work the sector is doing and get you on air. If they can speak to your service users too, even better! Marsha can be contacted by: email marsha.ramroop@bbc.co.uk, telephone 07912 981327 or via twitter @MarshaRamroop.
We are here to help if you want to chat through reviewing your organisational approach to equality and diversity. Just send us a message. If using the online form, select support for your organisation, in the reason for contact drop down box.
*Data from VAL’s charity log database 10 June 2020
Get support from VAL
If you are a charity or community group and you need additional support to deliver services during the pandemic, VAL is here to help.
We can offer advice on issues that affect charities, from fundraising to proper governance and managing volunteers.
You get can in touch via:
helpline@valonline.org.uk
0116 257 5050
