Ethnicity, social networks, poverty and inclusion
TSRC Below the Radar conference 5th July 2013
Jenny Phillimore & Alison Gilchrist
Local-Level.org.uk
Overview of presentation
• Some working definitions and concepts• Description of two research projects - scope
and methods– Refugees integration - Jenny– Social networks, poverty and ethnicity – Alison
• Q and As• Key findings and implications• Discussion
Definitions• Poverty: when your income doesn’t allow you to obtain
the things you need• Ethnicity: broadly defined – race, culture, faith,
origin/nationality, heritage and homeland• Refugee – the Home Office defined• Integration – Ager & Strang’s integration indicators• Social networks: connections with others, based on trust
and participation/exchanges • Social capital: web of associations comprising inter-
personal networks, norms and trust• Networking – establishing, maintaining and using these
links and relationships
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Research Questions
• What are refugees’ integration priorities?• What types of social network and social
capital do refugees possess?• What is the relationship between different
types of network and capital and other indicators of integration?
• What types of social network and social capital are most beneficial for refugee integration?
Methods and profile
• Re-analysis of SNR – 5600 refugees 2005-2008• E-survey of integration priorities to support index
development• Refugees from >100 countries • 49% Muslim, 40% Christian• The majority of refugees were under the age of 35
(70%).• 31% in UK less than 6 months, 22% over 5 years• 21% living with spouse
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Integration PrioritiesMeans and
MarkersEmployment
8.61Housing
9.29Health
Emotional 8.85 Physical 8.42
Social Networks
Friends 8.42 Family 8.16Co-national or ethnic groups 7.49
Religious groups 7.74Other organisational out-groups 7.61
Facilitators English SkillsSpeaking 9.11 Reading/writing
8.69
Safety and stabilityAbsence of verbal or
physical attack 9.5
Foundation Rights to family reunion 8.75 Citizenship 8.21 Volunteering 7.092
Purpose of JRF research projectTo investigate the links between social networks,
ethnicity and poverty• How are networks established and maintained?• How do they help people cope with poverty? • How do people use networks to move out of
poverty ?• What other factors come into play? – education, affordable credit, housing, cultures and racial
discrimination?
Research methods• Birmingham, Liverpool and Cumbria• Recruitment and training of 8
community researchers• 91 interviews with community
members• 30 counties of origin: ‘established
communities’ • 28 agency interviews• 4 scoping meetings with communities• 3 social media workshops• Observation sessions and visits• 3 community feedback workshops and
1 policy seminar
How people benefit from networks
GETTING BY• Emergency help• Finding work• Getting accommodation• Sharing children’s clothes,
toys• Access to affordable food • Short-term informal lending• Skills exchange – brokering
and bartering • Emotional support/comfort• Help with interpretation of
official documents
GETTING ON• Recruiting staff• Business promotion• Supply chains and potential
markets• Access to expert advice and
trades people (cheap or free)• Savings and loans systems
for investment• Role models and mentoring• Training and learning
opportunities
Barriers and limitations• Language – vitality of English – and legal status• Racism – prejudices and discrimination• Xenophobia – feeling rebuffed or uncomfortable• Cost of networking (travel, presents, socialising)• Lack of time and energy – shifts, childcare, etc.• Lack of confidence, self esteem• Tendency to stay within own community –> lack of
access to well-paid jobs and good opportunities • Peer and family pressures, duties and businesses• Family ties cost money – dowries, remittances, visits
Networking motivation and methods
• Strategies for finding the ‘right’ (useful) people• Maintain cultural identity and conventions• Being pro-active in keeping networks open and
growing• Maintaining profile and credibility• Getting and checking reliable information • Providing a comfort zone, a ‘safe place’• Enjoyment and affection
Individual characteristics• Ambition• Hope and positive attitudes• Character/ethos/orientation – joy of giving and helping others– Commitment to family/community
• Spirit of independence• Confidence and friendliness• Stepping ‘outside immediate comfort zones’• Personal resources (time, money, skills)
Any questions ?
• About what we did rather than what we found out• Findings and implications come
next
Shared Findings 1• Importance of family and friends• Importance of voluntary, community and faith groups• Agencies are not networking as effectively as they could be to
reach/serve minority ethnic communities• The complexity of negotiating systems and the culture of
those systems• Links between networks and informal employment processes
– Equalities issues
• Inclusive and exclusive aspects of networks• Levels of trust and reciprocity shape how networks operate
and how accessible they are for different individuals and communities
Shared Findings 2• Importance of ESOL: language and ‘space to
network’• Lack of social networks associated with poor
health• Bonding capital for emotional support and
survival• Bridging and linking capital/’weak ties’ for
‘getting ahead’• Level of education in country of origin: linked to
nature and range of networks
Shared Findings 3• Stereotypes of communities were misleading – many
exceptions, but shared values and traditions were important
• Impact of ‘network disruption’: divorce, loss of long term employment/workplace; moving home
• Cultural characteristics of networks: reflect social identities - ethnic, class or gender differences, personal interests and family histories
• Networks are not the only (or most important?) factor in moving out of poverty or enabling integration
• Other factors – access to funds and assets, education, language skills, discrimination, fiscal policy, impact of welfare reform
Key Differences 1
• Refugees do not prioritise networks although evidence suggests they are essential
• Few gender differences in networks but differences in outcomes
• Safety and security and impact of harassment “negative networks” greatest impact on integration
• Clear negative impact of dispersal on integration and types of network
• Living with children associated with poorer health
Key Differences 2
• Social Media Focus: ethnic difference in social media (QQ/ Nasra Klasa):E-bay and online trading – Made in Cumbria, R&J store – Filipino goods
• Age, class and network awareness• Digital disadvantage (rather than a clear ‘digital divide’) • Rural focus: Scattered BME populations: isolation, stress:
lack of ‘critical mass’ for organising ethnic specific community activities
• Agency focus: macro-policy issues more important than networks in addressing poverty (impact of cuts, welfare reform etc)
Recommendations • Improve access to quality language training• Encourage development of all kinds of networks• Support NGOs to work with refugees• Protect from anti-integrative attacks• Look at mechanisms to place asylum seekers near
friends and family• Prioritise support for women and Muslims• Support family reunion
Recommendations • Access to face to face advice• ESOL: addressing language barriers and ensuring
space for inter-cultural networking• Promote digital fluency and access to internet• Volunteer opportunities as a way into employment• Mentoring and peer support• Role of community based organisations:
commissioning for ‘social value’• Access to ‘vertical’ connections via agencies’
networks
Discussion
• Do these findings and recommendations seem right?
• What are the implications for policy and practice?
• What more do we need to know?• What is happening already to implement
some of these ideas?• How can the issues raised be addressed?
Acknowledgement
• Research by: Sin Yi Cheung and Jenny Phillimore• Supported by Nuffield Foundation• Further information: [email protected] • Advisory Group:– Chris Atwood, Home Office– Helen Connolly, CLG – Lisa Doyle, The Refugee Council – Ludi Simpson, University of Manchester
THANK YOU!For further information or
discussion please contact Angus McCabe
• [email protected] • 0121 415 8561
Research Team• Angus McCabe
Third Sector Research Centre
• Alison GilchristIndependent Consultant
• Asif AfridiBRAP
• Paul KyprianouPraxis CIC
• Kevin HarrisLocal Level