Your participation will help EYST to:
- build a more accurate picture of the concerns and impact of the pandemic during, and as lock down measures begin to ease;
- capture the ways in which BAME community groups and organisations are working innovatively, and seeking to provide services and support to Wales’ BAME residents during this period of crisis;
- inform key funders and policy-makers on how they respond to the crisis with respect to the impact on BAME communities and organisations.
Dr Roiyah Saltus, University of South Wales, who is an Adviser for the study, stated: “In the present climate in particular, it is vitally important to capture stories of innovation and excellence, as well as stories that could provide insight into the struggles and challenges faced by community groups and organisation that are led, or work on behalf of BAME population groups. Our aim is for the stories to provide the basis of a powerful evidence base”.
The survey is being supported by and disseminated via Race Alliance Wales, a coalition of individuals and organisations working towards Race Equality in Wales. Speaking on behalf of Butetown Community Association, Gaynor Legall said “This survey will provide a unique opportunity to showcase the important work that BAME community groups do in Wales and will also help to identify what support is needed to help us grow and develop. I encourage all BAME groups in Wales to take part.”
The initiative is also being welcomed by WCVA as it will provide a strong and up to date evidence base about the needs of the sector, which can inform and shape the response from policy makers and funders n Wales. Anna Nicholl, Director of Strategy at WCVA said, “We know that BAME voluntary organisations are playing a vital role in supporting communities during COVID-19; but also, that they are managing a huge increase in demand whilst being one of the least resilient parts of our sector. We welcome this evidence base so that we can all target resource more effectively to enable these groups.”