High poverty rates
The recent Social Metrics Commission (SMC) report published the increase in deep poverty among BAME families over the last 20 years in the UK. It was found that 46% of African Caribbean families were living in poverty, which was mostly due to the impact of Covid-19 and its on-going affects.
The ACRG aims to tackle poverty by providing voluntary services to enable individuals in the community to gain new skills and prospects for employment opportunities. Through providing new skills and knowledge ACRG believes that individuals will acquire increased confidence to enter the job market.
The ACRG conducts research to explore where the most vulnerable characteristics exist in the community to bring public attention to the problems. Our aim is to seek government grants to strengthen the communities to promote long-term economic growth and benefits.
The ACRG endeavours to organise fund-raising events to highlight attention to the urgent needs of the community.
High levels of isolation
Loneliness is a dominant contributor to the decline in personal well-being, which is linked to an increase in health issues. We have isolated three potential factors that increase loneliness in the African Caribbean Communities. (1) Lack of public cultural activities. (2) disparate understanding of society and world views. (3) Poor experiences in the quantity and quality of social relationships. According to the British Red Cross research (2019) on loneliness in the BAME communities only 16% felt that they belong in the community.
ACRG conducts research to create programmes that make people feel valued and safe enough to build the confidence they need to help them join in community activities. We endeavour to reduce experience of stress and loneliness through providing spaces that brings people together to share cultural practices and attitudes. ACRG provides spaces that celebrate African Caribbean cultures.
ACRG focuses on every member of the community, however, attention is given to the older generation, who are vulnerable from the loss of a loved one or lack of family support because their children live far away. The ACRG provides information on African Caribbean culture and volunteers to support people to remain engaged and socialise in wider society.
Information and voluntary help are available to assist people to strengthen their relationships within their ethnic group and the wider community. ACRG members firmly believe in breaking down social barriers and provides a space for people from every ethnicity to enjoy and engage in Caribbean cultures.
Connecting cultures
The Caribbean is a melting pot of cultures from the Carib indigenous peoples, Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, China, India and many more. The Caribbean Island, Jamaica highlights this in their motto: ‘Out of Many, One People’. At the African Caribbean Research Group, we welcome everyone to join us to celebrate the cultures of the Caribbean. Encouraging communication and collaboration with each other combats social isolation and narrow-mindedness. Exposure to an array of cultures enriches life experiences and instils self-awareness and confidence.
References
Barriers to Belonging: An exploration among people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. British Red Cross 2019 [https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/we-speak-up-for-change/barriers-to-belonging] (February 2023).
Shroud, P. (2020) Measuring Poverty 2020: A Report of the Social Metrics Commission. [https://diversityuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Measuring-Poverty-2020-1.pdf] (19 February 2023).