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Understanding the impact
of Covid-19 on BAME people
in Sussex
In the summer we asked you to share your experiences of Covid-19 with us, so we could gather information and opinions on why it has had a worse effect on people who are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background. The research was carried out in the Crawley area.
We carried out this research so that we, with the NHS and others, could make recommendations to help improve things as Covid-19 continues to affect our communities.
Thank you to everyone who took part in our research and shared their stories with us.
We’re pleased to share the report with you and to highlight just a few of the issues raised. We also want to let you know that we’re working on new projects and services to help address some of the inequalities and problems that our research showed.
Since the summer we have created a new project, Mid Sussex Community Champions where we are creating a network of volunteer community champions from EU, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, and empowering them with up-to-date information about Covid-19 to share with their communities. Click here to find out more.
The Coronavirus crisis has affected everyone in all communities. However there is evidence that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people may have been worse affected than others.
Some things we’re working on to make a difference:
Citizens Advice is one of the organisations which can help to improve some of the problems highlighted in our report.
Money and debt issues:
We’re working on launching new money and debt advice services in Crawley and Mid Sussex, for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and communities.
We know that money worries can lead to mental health problems, depression and anxiety, and we want to help stop problems from getting bigger. Watch this space and we’ll let you know more as soon as we can.
Communication is key:
Many people told us that communication needs to be improved:
– clearer language
– translation into more languages
– more accessible
We’re going to be working with local community groups, to let people know about our service and help to share information. We’re recruiting for a Community Engagement Officer to help us with this work and to make sure it is ongoing.
Working together to help improve things:
It is vital that we work together to make things better and make change happen: to have honest discussions about problems and things that aren’t working, to work with our communities, to listen, and to ask people for their feedback and suggestions.
We’re in regular touch with our partners and funders, and we’re making new contacts so that we can start to get things done.
There is much more within the report; please take a look and let us know if you have any questions. You can email us at communications@westsussexcab.org.uk and we’ll come back to you as soon as we can.
If you are part of a local community group and you’d like us to get in touch with you please let us know – send us an email at communications@westsussexcab.org.uk.
This project was funded by Sussex NHS Partnerships. All surveys and interviews were treated anonymously and have been kept securely by Citizens Advice in West Sussex (North, South, East) in line with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation 2018).
If you’d like more information about this project, please get in touch with us: communications@westsussexcab.org.uk.
Who are we?
We are a registered charity based in West Sussex giving free, independent and confidential advice and information to help people with problems they may be facing and their rights.
In recent months we have been advising lots of people on issues to do with Coronavirus, including the furlough scheme, applying for benefits and discrimination.
We use the insight into the problems our community faces to make changes to the system, and to make things fairer and better for everyone.
Do you need advice?
You can chat with our team about any problems, such as:
- benefits
- employment
- housing
- debt
- discrimination
- and much more.
Call our Adviceline: 0808 278 7969 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm)
Please click here for web chat or email advice.