NETWORKING DAY 11 November 2015
We have compiled the workshop notes from the Networking Day scribes. The “workshops” were all volunteer-led conversations. Some of the points may be more relevant to some groups more than others.
The main points of the day were to have an open-mind, try to do some research when working with different communities, be respectful of cultures different than your own, and be flexible.
Workshop 1
What are challenges of working with BAME communities?
Nadia’s notes:
-How to attract men to groups. One group said their members were predominately white female
-Evenings could be dangerous especially in winter with travelling home
Laurence’s notes:
-Stigma
-Gender issues (local group is run by an all-female committee)
-Language issues (content/materials not in required language/s)
-Computer literacy may lower in certain age/ethnicity groups
-Hard to identify the different communities in a particular area
-Can’t rely on ‘standard’ group meetings, need to try/do other things
Tim’s notes (names the issue, comments, and additional notes):
Cultural Issues
-Criticism
- Person must not take comment or help negatively by implied criticism
-1:1 Approach
- Some cultures do work well in group meetings
- Cannot please everybody
-Food
- Constant issue and some cultural foods high carbohydrate values.
- Ramadan
-Gender – Flexible approach
- In some cultures women speak easily and men do not. M/F difference in religious places and blending in.
-“Diabetes” Name rejection
- Do not wish to be seen talking about diabetes (too public) and need a discrete approach
-Language
- Barrier when talking, but most people take English publications as reading skills below modern standards and their family/friends interpret. Surprising result.
-Stigma of living with diabetes
- Food important means of meeting and do not want to appear not able to do/cultural stigma
-Denial of living with diabetes
- Similar to above and long life to change style
Materials
-Sometimes inadequate
- More & better information
-Languages
- Many ethnic cultures in London
-Videos and pictures
- Easy to make people understand
-“Why Me” on You Tube
- Good material not known about therefore not used by people
Access to Information
-Food labelling
- Confusing with wrong information on front (i.e. sugars) but then need to calculate food by reference to 100g – not easy depending on individual
-Internet access
- Cost and age – people > 70yrs on average do not have this and some 20% of people living with diabetes do not have access- need hand-outs of materials
-People have to be comfortable
- When meeting people this is key
-Points of access & sources of information
- Local authorities, GP’s & CCG‘s may have lists of groups to contact: the same withPatient Liaison Groups, Diabetes UK Community Champions: Listen to information supplied. CCG should name and shame GPs who are not providing a quality diabetes service.
-Always have printed and other materials at public events available
- See comment about availability of internet access
-Do not embarrass people at events
Preconceived ideas
-Myths & superstitions about living with diabetes
- Keep trying to eliminate these with education
-Ask people their issues
- Relevant to them
-Holistic Approach
- Deal with the whole issues – sometimes us humour to defuse situation
-Flexibility of approach
- Everyone is different
-GP diagnosis poor
- Shock and terror when diagnosed, fear of amputation, do not understand leads to refusal/failure to accept situation
-Provide information and a challenge
- Our work and ambition is to challenge these preconceived ideas
-Young People
- Are the future by access to schools to teach young children the right way
-Community Champions
- Are a means into communities(later information supported by Krishna Sarda and his Diabetes UK team who have a target of 5,000 champions in 5 years’ time)
-Provide emotional support
- This is important
Workshop 2
How can we make our groups a more welcoming environment?
Laura’s notes:
-Hospital Awareness stands
-Internet to recruit
-Welcome new people personally
-Horse-shoe seating
-Raise hand to include questions to speaker
-Tea/coffee first thing
-Raffle each month (donated)
-Welcome pack for T1/T2
-If people ‘vanish’ they get a newsletter – better via email
-Diabetes Specialist nurse discuss issues with new members
-Gather feedback/comments regarding ownership of group by group, not committee
-Add social element to group, i.e. pottery/National Trust
-Get email to keep in touch – send a reminder before
-GP Advertise – circulate to CCG, libraries, councils, other organisations
-Meet and greet team and sign in
-Outdoor activities (sponsored walk)
Nadia’s notes:
-Be warm and welcoming
-Welcome packs
-Vary timing of groups (Book meetings in advance)
-Outdoor activities may attract an older age range
-Open discussions from team members
-Follow up with members after attendance
-Be aware of “African timing”
-Newsletters (email saves on postage)
-Calendar of festivals
-Stands should take place outside holy places
-CDS in other languages
Workshop 3
What are your success stories of working with diverse communities?
Laurence’s notes:
-By putting on an evening meeting (as opposed to just the existing daytime ones) the group was able to attract a more diverse membership including people form BAME groups
-One speaker volunteer found that by being proactive and approaching people from BAME communities they were able to get their messages and information across
-Having leaflets in multiple languages. This is good for PR even if people actually tend to take the English ones anyway.
-One group has a committee members who mans a stand at community centre twice a week in Croydon where they are able to meet lots of people from BAME groups.
-One group has been able to get financial support from their CCG as they are able to support the CCGs objectives around engaging with BAME communities
-Success was seen through the number of ‘bums on seats’ at meetings
-Success was felt in the buzz during/after a successful meeting
-Success was improving people’s ability to manage their diabetes
Workshop 4
If there is one thing that you would like to share from your community, what would it be?
Laura’s notes:
-Visiting religious buildings
- Respecting customs
- Getting permission
- Timing e.g. Prayer or food
- Learn a lot/willing to learn
- Adaptability/flexibility
-Accommodate for all – Accessibility
-Name of group –inclusive
-Timing – some people may be late/leave early
-Celebration – more people in the community
-Before Ramadan opportunities?
-Mela (Hindu)
-Mosques – need an approach
-Contact the carers
-Medical awareness days
-Offer translation? – Research
-Research before presentation – ask someone from that community before
-Becoming well known/recognised in the community
Bolanle’s notes:
-Events – Festivals
-Religious
-Time of event / before or just after – good attendance
-When delivering to an audience via interpreter it has to be synchronised
-Prior research
-Find your champion early on e.g. if someone speaks the language
-Plan your calendar in advance – e.g. Black History Month, Melas
-Having support to signpost to risk assessors
A) Respect for other cultures related to some of the volunteers stressing that a better response and rapport is always achieved when volunteers go in with a genuine appreciation and respect for the differences. People really appreciate that we have taken the time to find out more about them.
Professionals are given more favourable acceptance.
-Educating oneself on the culture makes one more credible and knowledgeable.
-Using your understanding of their faith to engage
-Practical things – Be flexible and do what they request
-Respect for individual circumstances
B) Pinpointing what places of faith arebest placed/central to community outreach work.
-Mosques – Perceived as the hardest to get into
-Churches, temples, individuals
-Referring individuals to relevant
Other ideas:
Nadia’s notes:
-People should leave post it notes with anonymous feedback
-Somebody should speak up and tell others not to interrupt speakers