The Black Minority Ethnic Group of Cardiff People First 

The Black Minority Ethnic project was started at Cardiff People First to establish the need for a service specifically tailored to BME communities and to form self advocacy groups.

The Cardiff and Newport groups are unique to Wales and acknowledge the need for a culturally sensitive group that can work with different communities and address individual needs.

‘We often face issues such as double discrimination and people judge us twice'
Shahid Afsar

We run a mixed group and a women only group.

The groups are member led and individuals are encouraged to make life choices, overcome obstacles and lead the lives they want to.

 

The advocacy group creates an environment where members can explore, express and develop their potential in a supportive environment. People's abilities and appreciation of who they are as a person are focused on rather than their disabilities.

 

‘Newport People First is about organising ourselves in a better way. You get treated as a person, and not an outsider. It's about gaining respect.'  Ean Johnson.

The groups meet once a month and do a diverse range of activities.  Members get involved in a wide range of activities. Members take decisions and make choices on what they would like to do. The members carry out cultural based activities.

Some of the things we have done:

We have had an African Historian talk about African history and the slave trade, Art workshops based on cultures, designed the groups logos, attended Asian melas, Africa day , Canoeing, Kickboxing, Yoga,  Belly dancing, Drumming, Gone out for dinner.

We have also attended conferences, consultations through the Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales who value the member's views on topics such as race equality and health. In self advocacy workshops we discuss various topics and problems members face and how they can overcome them.

 

Members  talk about issues that affect them such as relationships and work and their aspirations.  The group members aim to support each other and support each other to  take control of their lives.

One members' parent called Fehmida (Project Co-ordinator) recently to say that her son has become ‘too empowered.' She didn't mean it in a negative way, but wanted to highlight that the group has really empowered him, enabling him to want to have more life opportunities. He has also become aware of his rights, and is happy to have met other people like him, and not be so isolated. 

The groups aim is to challenge society's way of thinking about learning disability. It tired to breakdown misconceptions and stereotypes.  

Our group is open to anybody from a black and minority ethnic group with a learning disability. 

Through the work of Cardiff and Newport People First we hope that society will re-evaluate how they perceive and treat people with a learning disability - as valued, respected and equal members of society.