We seek to explore what is known about discrimination and disadvantage, and to use this evidence to develop interventions that overcome barriers and promote race equality in health, housing and social care.

Issue 52, June 2017

Content: Our Work I Health I Housing I Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities I Community  I 

First Steps project: Health network to look at inequalities strategy and maternity services 

The Health Network meeting on Health Inequalities in late September will provide an opportunity to hear about and respond to the GLA Health Inequalities Strategy. 

In October/November the Health Network will look at BME families' experience of choice and engagement in the new maternity system.

If you are interested in being involved in either of these events, contact Tracey Bignall on Tracey@racefound.org.uk or 020 7428 1884.

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Scotland to introduce soft opt-out system for organ donation

The Scottish Government has announced it will introduce a 'soft-opt out' system for organ donation. This follows a similar change in Wales that has led to a significant rise in donations. The approach assumes consent for organ donation, unless the family strongly objects. Black and minority ethnic people are more likely to need an organ transplant, and are less likely to donate organs, which means the average wait for a kidney is a year longer than for a White British person. The Foundation has been working though the National BAME Transplant Alliance (NBTA) to improve rates of donation. 

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Briefing on homelessness, health and equality 

The National Housing Federation has published a briefing on homelessness, health and equality. The Foundation contributed to the briefing, which covers mental health, race, criminal justice, age, gender and LGB&T communities. 

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The Foundation deploys the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities programme throughout the UK and internationally. There are upcoming training dates in London:

• SFSC facilitator training, London, 14 - 22 September 2017
• SFSC facilitator training, London, 13 - 17 November 2017

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Cascading Leadership programme launched

The King’s Fund, Comic Relief, and the Big Lottery Fund have now opened applications for Cascading Leadership. This is a free support programme for charity leaders to help each other by sharing expertise and developing skills. The  deadline for Expressions of interest is 20th July. 

New research on stop and search 

Research from the Criminal Justice Alliance has found three in four young black and minority ethnic people believe they are still targeted unfairly by stop and search. This is despite a general fall in number of stop and searches. Black people are six times more likely to be stopped and black and minority ethnic people more broadly are three times more likely.  

Rise in religious and race hate crime since Brexit

Race and religious hate crimes have risen by 23 per cent since the Brexit, according to police statistics. The rises were highest in Gwent, Kent, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. Faith and civil society groups have called on the government to take action action on how they are approaching hate crime. 

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