DGMA

Dumfries & Galloway Multicultural Association

MINORITY COMMUNITIES

CARE ACCESS RESEARCH PROJECT

April 2013

Sitki Nalci, Dr Gunel Sarginson, Ambour Yousaf

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Introduction:

DGMA conducted this research project to determine the level of service,

advice and support that carers currently receive within the Ethnic

Minority Communities because many people do not see themselves as

carers and are not aware of the help and advice available to them. As a

result, many carers could be missing out on vital services, benefits and

support to help them in their caring role.

National statistics show that 10% of the population are involved in one

form or another in providing care for a family member or a friend.

Considering that there is a population of over 4000 people from Minority

Ethnic Communities in Dumfries and Galloway - there should be over

400 Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) carers in the area. We believe that

these carers are hidden within their own communities with no access to

the information and support that is available nationally. We want to know

the reasons why are these carers are hidden in their own communities or

not accessing the services easily available around them?

Dumfries and Galloway has a diverse population. The established

minority communities in the region are predominately Indian, Pakistani,

Turkish, Eastern European and Chinese origin but in recent years after

the expansion of EU, large numbers of Polish and other Eastern

European nationals arrived.

DGMA serves as a hub for people to meet, gain information and

socialise with others. They may have no knowledge of English and feel

isolated as they are unable to communicate with others and don’t know

where to seek advice, help or information when they need it.

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Aims of the Project:

The primary purpose of this study was to identify members of Ethnic

Minority Communities potentially disadvantaged due to their inability to

access information and support relevant to their needs as carers or being

cared.

We wanted to establish numbers of present carers from ethnic minority

communities who did not know about other organisations that they could

contact and get help. In addition, we wanted to establish how much help

carers from Ethnic Minority Communities were presently getting from

relevant organisations.

We wanted to find out the role of the cultural sensitivity of the care issues

within the Minority Communities in obtaining help and advice.

We also wanted to identify members of ethnic Minority communities who

were not aware of their status as carers.

About the Survey Questionnaire:

A survey questionnaire was designed with the help of a small focus

group and distributed to the members of ethnic Minorities in Dumfries

and Galloway to get relevant data and information. The completed

questionnaires were collected from 28 November 2012 until the end of

April 2013. The focus group was comprised of participants from Minority

Ethnic Communities in Dumfries and Galloway. The respondents were

asked to choose from a list of possible answers while some questions

were open-ended.

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We managed to distribute 250 questionnaires and received 194

responses. The response rate from the Minority Ethnic Communities was

78%. The survey questionnaire was distributed through home visits,

people attending English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

classes and other service users in Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural

Association, members of the International Women’s Support Group,

shops, restaurants, take-aways and local Mosque. Whenever possible,

interviews were conducted face to face. Also, letters were sent to people

who requested to receive information and questionnaires by post.

Several consultation meetings were held to provide advice and

information to carers. People from Minority Ethnic Communities were

invited to these meetings and their points of view were also taken into

account to collect the information.

There was a brief explanation of the purpose of the questionnaire,

verbally and in an accompanying letter, and assurances about anonymity

and confidentiality.

We asked the following questions:

Please see appendix 1 for the full list of questions.

Interviews regarding the questionnaire were conducted by telephone and

through face-to-face meetings. In this way, we were able to supply

information and advice to Ethnic Community Members. This was

valuable as some people had not previously regarded themselves as

carers but during the interviews it emerged that they were carers. The

survey data were collected, analysed and used to generate this report.

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Figure 1: Carer or not a carer

Survey was that 10% of people were carers previously but never

received any help. 75% said that they were not carers but during the

interviews it transpired from their answers that 11% of them actually

were carers but had not realised it. 15% of people identified themselves

as carers in their responses to the questionnaire. This brings the most

unexpected result of staggering 33.25% of Ethnic Minority population

were involved in one form or another in caring duties.

Figure 2: Ethnicity of respondents

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When split according to ethnicity, the greatest numbers of respondents

were Indian at 17% the next was Pakistani at 12.4%, followed by Turkish

and Polish, which were each 9.8% and Chinese at 7.2%. Various

ethnicities made up the remaining 43.8%.

Figure 3: Relationship of carers to those requiring care

46% of the people receiving care were either the mother or daughter of

the carer. 13% were fathers, followed by other relationships, including

neighbours and friends, which made up the remaining 41%.

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Figure 4: Reasons why care is required

34% of respondents stated that long-term illness was the cause of the

necessity for care, closely followed by age-related frailty at 30%.

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Figure 5: Sources of additional help for main carers

48% of respondents stated that Family members helped with caring

activities and/or household duties.

17% responded that they received no additional help while 13% said that

support workers helped with caring activities and/or household duties.

Figure 6: Support and advice from external agencies

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We asked our participants if they had received any advice, information

and support from any external agencies to help them care for the

supported person.

88% answered that they had not received any help and only 12%

answered that they had.

Figure 7: The reasons provided by those who said that they had not

received assistance

33% answered that they did not need help whilst 20% answered that

they didn't know where to look for assistance. 11% said that there was a

culture barrier, 9% responded that there was a language barrier and the

same percentage felt that asking for help was culturally wrong.

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Figure 8: Did you know that you can access advice for carers from

the following organisations?

When we asked our participants about their knowledge as to whether

they could access advice for carers from some of the well-known

organisations shown above, we received the following negative answers.

17% of respondents answered that they did not know that they could

receive advice from Dumfries and Galloway Council, 16% said that they

did not know that they could receive advice from NHS Carers Information

and 15% answered that they did not know that they could receive advice

from Carers Scotland.

Figure 9: Respondents who desire further advice and information

regarding the role of a Carer.

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84% of respondents answered that they would welcome advice and

information to help in their role of a Carer whilst 18% answered that they

did not want advice or information.

Figure 10: Respondents who would be more likely to access advice

and help if more help was offered by the Dumfries and Galloway

Multicultural Association.

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74% answered that they would be more likely to access advice and help

if more help was offered by the DGMA with the remaining 26% answered

that they would not.

Figure 11: Respondents who find language to be a barrier when

seeking advice or information.

16% answered that they found language to be a barrier when seeking

advice or information. 42% answered that they did not and the

remaining 42% sometimes found language a barrier.

Figure 13: Income sources of respondents' families

49% of households had 1 wage, 23% of households had 2 wages and

14% had a combination of benefits and wages, 7% benefits and 7% of

households had no income.

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Figure 14: Respondents who have sought advice as to which

benefits they may be entitled to.

79% of respondents had not sought advice as to which benefits

they may be entitled to whilst 21% had sought advice.

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Figure 15: Do Respondents feel the need for support and / or

advice?

60% of respondents felt that they needed support while only 40% said

that they didn't need support.

Figure 16: Where respondents will attempt to seek care

help and support?

67% of respondents answered that they would attempt to seek care help

from friends and relatives whilst 29% said that they would seek care help

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from Care Services. 4% of respondents answered 'other' but did not

specify what that might be.

Figure 17: Awareness of the Dumfries and Galloway Joint Carers

Strategy (involving Dumfries and Galloway Council, National Health

Service and Prince's Trust for Carers).

58% of respondents answered that they did not know about the Dumfries

and Galloway Joint Carers Strategy (involving Dumfries and Galloway

Council, National Health Service and Prince's Trust for Carers) while

42% answered that they were aware of it.

Figure 18: Respondents who believe that their culture or belief is a

barrier to seeking help and advice regarding Care.

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31% of respondents believed that their culture or belief is a barrier to

seeking help and advice regarding Care whilst 69% did not believe that

their culture or belief is a barrier to seeking help and advice regarding

Care.

Figure 19: Respondents who would be more likely to ask for or

access advice and help if it was offered by the Multicultural

Association.

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86% of respondents would be more likely to ask for or access advice and

help if it was offered by the Multicultural Association. Only 14% said that

they would not be more likely.

Figure 20: Access to a family car.

66% of respondents had access to a family car. 34% of respondents did

not have access to a family car.

Figure 21: Services that would be most important to Respondents if

they are ever necessary.

44% of respondents felt that all of the services listed would be very

important to them if they were ever needed.

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14% felt that respite would be the most important to them. 8% said that

financial assistance would be most important while smaller percentages

placed more importance on other services as described above.

Figure 22: Respondents' knowledge of care and the role of a carer.

65% of respondents answered that they did not know about care and the

role of a carer. The remaining 35% did know.

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Figure 23: Respondents who would like more information on the

role of a carer.

68% of respondents would like more information on the role of a Carer

and 32% would not.

Figure 24: Respondents who did or did not know that many Carers

find that caring for a family member or friend has an impact on their

work life, social life, finance and health.

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60% of respondents answered that they did know caring for a family

member or friend has an impact on their work life, social life, finance and

health.

40% answered that they did not know about these effects on carers’

lives.

Figure 25: Difficulty of finding employment for respondents or their

household members.

38% of respondents said that they and their household members found it

difficult to find employment.

24% said that this was because they are from an ethnic Minority

Community.

36% said that they had no difficulties.

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Figure 26: Respondents who think that future caring commitments

will affect their social lives.

75% of respondents thought that future caring commitments will affect

their social lives.

25% did not feel that they would be affected in this way.

Conclusion:

Knowledge about services, benefits and availability of information is a

most important issue regarding integration and cohesion for both settled

and new Minority Ethnic Communities in Scotland. Information on help

for carers in Scotland is essential to give people an effective and

independent support.

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The target number for the survey was 200. We managed to distribute

250 questionnaires. We received 194 responses. Some people did not

respond as they were not willing to participate and/or they did not have

responsibility for anyone needing care.

The respondents were questioned about their carer’s status. 75% of our

respondents did not know what advice and services were available even

though some of them needed extra support.

Our other aim is to set up a service for the present carers who were

identified in our data and take a step forward to help carers from ethnic

minorities to develop their independence (and that of those for whom

they care). This would also help to build their self-confidence as well as

raising awareness in the local community to define the role of a Carer.

The information would also enable local authorities, NHS, other health

professionals and organisations to improve their;

support for carers;

recognition of the cultural sensitivity of the care issues within the

Ethnic Minority Communities;

knowledge of the level of help that carers currently receive within

the Ethnic Minority Communities; and

knowledge on the level of help that carers are missing out on and

improving life balance through the support and services available

to carers from the Ethnic Minority Communities.

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The role of a Carer needs to be clearly defined to the various ethnic

minorities as most of them do not know if they are considered a carer or

not. They feel that due to this lack of clarification, they do not have

access to any information to tell them if they are in fact a “carer”. The sad

fact is that there are many people who are carers and they have not

been advised as to which services and help may be available to them.

As respondents did not have this information, we were able to identify

and assist Carers who wanted help but did not know how or where to get

it. This was one of the aims of our project.

We also found that some respondents who did not speak English as a

first language were not able to complete the questionnaire at all as we

were unable to translate in some languages. Others would have been

unable to participate in the questionnaire without our help. Providing the

option of translated questionnaires would have been especially helpful to

respondents from different ethnic minorities who were unable to

complete the questionnaire due to language barriers.

We were able to identify people who were carers but not recognised as

such and many respondents were unaware of major organisations within

Dumfries and Galloway which are involved in the provision of care

support.

People who are not presently in a care situation will now have some

understanding of help that is available should the necessity arise in the

future.

It was also found that 31% of respondents believed that their culture or

belief is a barrier to seeking help and advice regarding care.

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From the information gathered from the project, it would appear that

there may well be other people and organisations who would benefit

from this information on a wider scale.

68% of respondents stated that they would like to get more information

on the role of a carer from the Multicultural Association and 86% of

respondents said that that they would be more likely to ask for or access

advice and help if these services offered by the Dumfries and Galloway

Multicultural Association.

Acknowledgements:

We thank NHS Dumfries and Galloway for providing the funding for this

project.

We would also like to thank D & G Council, all of our colleagues and

volunteers in Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association, whose

help made it possible to distribute and collect the responses to this

survey.

Finally, we also thank everyone who responded to our survey by

completing the questionnaire.

© Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association, April 2013

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APPENDIX

Minority Communities Care Access Project

Anyone at any time can become a carer. This is not something we choose or plan for.

National statistics show that 10% of population are involved in one form or

another in care environment providing care for a family member or a friend.

The local Joint Carers Strategy has been implemented to raise awareness of the

Caring role. Research in Scotland shows that carers within the Ethnic Minority

Communities access public services less compared with carers in general.

DGMA are conducting this questionnaire to raise awareness of the support and

advice available and also to access carers within the Minority Communities to identify

the level of care they provide and what advice, support and information they have

access to and receive.

This information will be used proactively to ensure all individuals get the vital support

and advice they are entitled to.

THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS. IT WILL ONLY

BE USED FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES

1) Do you care any member of your family, a close friend or a neighbour at the

present time?

Yes (If yes go to question 3)

No (If no, go to the next question)

Dumfries & Galloway multiculturalassociation

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2) Have you cared for a member of your family or a friend in the past?

Yes (If yes go to the next question)

No (If no go to question 54, page 8)

3) Is the cared person a

a) Mother

b) Father

c) Brother

d) Sister

e) Daughter

f) Son

g) Relation

h) Friend

i) Neighbour

j) Other please state......................................................

4) Are you the main carer for this “supported” person?

Yes No

If no, who is the main carer? ………………………………………………………..

5) Why does the supported person need your help?

a) Disability

b) Long-term illness

c) Frailty (age)

d) Addiction

e) Temporary Illness

f) Other ……………………..

6) What does the care involve?

a) Personal care

b) Social activities

c) Cooking meals

d) Applying medication

e) Moving and handling

f) Other ……………………..

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7) How many days per week do you care for the supported person?

....................................................

8) How many hours per day?

....................................................

9) What other sources of help does the main carer receive to assist in their role

as carer?

a) None

b) Family members help with caring activities and/or household duties

c) Friends help with caring activities and/or household duties

d) Support workers help with caring activities and/or household duties

e) District nurse helps with advice and medication

f) Meals on wheels

g) Food train

h) Other agencies help with care/advice/support

Which agencies?

…………........................................................................................................

10) Have you received any advice, information and support from any external

agency to help you care for the supported person?

Yes No

11) If yes, which organisations

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

12) If no, is it because - (please tick all that applies);

a) You don’t need help

b) There is a language barrier

c) There is a cultural barrier

d) You feel that asking for help is culturally wrong

e) You don’t know where to look

f) You didn’t know you could get help/don’t know your rights to get help

g) You sought advice once but people were not helpful

h) Other ……………………………………………………………………………..

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13) Did you know that you can access advice for carers from the following

organisations?

Princess Trust for Carers Yes No

NHS Carers information Yes No

D & G Council Yes No

Carers Scotland Yes No

Alcohol & Drug Support South West Scotland Yes No

Alzheimer Scotland Yes No

Diabetes UK Yes No

Dumfries Citizens Advice Bureau Yes No

Enable Scotland Yes No

Headway Yes No

Support in Mind Yes No

People’s Advocacy Service Yes No

Scottish Association for Mental Health Yes No

Turning Point Yes No

User and Carer Involvement Yes No

14) Would you welcome some advice and information to help in your role of

carer?

Yes No

15) Would you be more likely to access advice and help if more help offered by

the Multicultural association?

Yes No

16) How many people in the household speak English?

.......................................

17) Does the main carer speak English?

Yes No Some

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18) Do you find language is a barrier when seeking advice or information?

Yes No Sometimes

19) Are you aware that DGMA offer free English, ESOL and computer classes?

Yes No

20) Would you be interested in finding out more information on DGMA’s

English classes and other activities and groups?

Yes No

21) Do you have access to usage of a car?

Yes No

22) Does the main carer drive?

Yes No

23) Is your car suitable for transporting the supported person?

Yes No

24) Have you made enquiries to find out if you qualify for Mobility allowance?

Yes No

25) If the main carer does not drive or have access to the car on a daily basis,

what mode of transport is used?

............................................................................................................................

26) Is this reliable?

Yes No

27) Which statements apply to you?

a) I have access daily to a car so transport is never a problem

b) I have to use public bus service which is very reliable

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c) I have to use public bus service which is not regular and

can be unreliable d) I use taxi or train which is very costly and prevents me from

using regularly e) I rely on family and friends for transport arrangements

f) I rely on wheelchair access so transport can be stressful

28) How many people in the household are employed?

............................................................

29) Do you think finding employment is more difficult for the members of the

Minority Communities?

Yes No

30) What is the family’s main source of income?

1 wage

2 Wages

Benefits and wage

Benefits only

31) Have you sought advice as to what benefits you may be entitled to?

Yes No

32) Is your income sufficient for all your needs?

Yes No

33) Do you own or rent your house?

Own

Private Rent

DGHP, Loreburn Housing

Other …………………………………………………

34) Are there adequate rooms to accommodate all the family?

Yes No

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35) Is the property adequately fitted with equipment etc. for the needs of the

supported person?

Yes No

36) Have you sought information and advice on help to equip/alter the property to

suit the needs of the supported person?

Yes No

37) Do you have to divide your care time with other commitments? For example

a) Are you employed? Full-time part-time

b) Attend School/college Full-time part-time

c) You have a family to look after

38) What hours does the main carer work? ..........................

39) How many days per week does the main carer work? ............................

40) Have you ever received a carers assessment to determine what support is

available to you?

Yes No

41) Does your GP know that you are a carer?

Yes No

42) Does your employer / school or college know you have carer commitments?

Yes No

43) Do you have any social time for yourself during the week?

Yes No Yes, but would like more time

44) Do you feel you need support and advice?

Yes No

45) As the main carer, how well do you think you cope with the added

responsibility of caring?

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a) Cope well within your day to day life

b) You struggle sometimes but generally cope OK

c) You feel your life is dictated by your care responsibilities

d) You feel isolated

e) You have no one to talk to

46) Do you attend school/college? Yes No

47) Does your year tutor/teacher know you are a carer? Yes No

48) Have you missed school due to your role as carer? Yes No

49) Which statements can you relate to?

a) I am well supported and feel I cope well with my carer role

b) I do what is expected of me without question

a) I sometimes wish I could spend more time with my friends

b) I feel isolated and lonely

c) I need someone to talk to who understands

d) None of the above but…………………………………………………..

50) When seeking information and advice, do you feel you are treated the same

as everyone else?

Yes No

51) If no, what are the reasons?

............................................................................................................................

52) Does this stop you from seeking any further help?

Yes No

53) Would you like us to refer you to an organisation for advice and information?

Yes No

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THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE

TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES OF DGMA PLEASE

WRITE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AT THE END OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE.

If you answered no to question number 2 please continue -

54) Would you know where to go to seek help and support should you find

yourself in this position?

Yes No

55) Who would you contact?

Friends and relatives

Care Services

Other (please state) ………………………………………

56) Are you aware that Dumfries and Galloway have launched a Joint Carers

Strategy involving Dumfries and Galloway Council, National Health Service

(NHS) and Princess Trust for Carers?

Yes No

57) Would language be a barrier to you for seeking help, support and advice?

Yes No

58) Do all family members in your household speak English?

Yes No

59) Are you aware that Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association offer free

English and Computing classes?

Yes No

60) Is your culture or belief a barrier to seek help and advice if you need a carer?

Yes No

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61) Would you be more likely to ask or access advice and help if it was offered by

the Multicultural Association?

Yes No

62) Do you have access to a family car?

Yes No

63) Do you drive?

Yes No

64) If you do not have access to a car, is public transport easily accessible?

Yes No

65) Does anyone in your household use a wheelchair?

Yes No

66) What services would be most important to you if you ever need?

Home care

Financial Assistance

Personal Care

Respite

Mobility Allowance

Upgrade of home to accommodate disability

Help with Equipment needed

Support and Advice

Specialist advice pertaining to the cared person’s needs

Training

All of them

67) Do you know what constitutes a carer and the role of a carer?

Yes No

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68) Would you like more information about the role of a carer?

Yes No

69) If a member of the family suddenly became in need of care, who would likely

take the role of carer in your household?

A female relative

A male relative

A Young person

Everyone

70) Did you know many carers find that caring for a family member or friend has

an impact on their work life, social life, finance and health?

Yes No

71) Are you in a good state of health?

Yes No

72) Do you know anyone from the Ethnic Minority communities who is currently a

carer?

Yes No

73) How many people in your household are employed? ........................................

74) Is it difficult for you or household members to find employment?

Yes No

If yes, is it because you are from an ethnic Minority Community?

Or other reasons ……………………………………………………………………

75) What is the family’s main source of income?

a) 1 wage

b) 2 Wages

c) Benefits and wage

d) Benefits only

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76) Have you sought advice as to what benefits you may be entitled to?

Yes No

77) Is your income sufficient for all your needs?

Yes No

78) Do you own or rent your house?

Own

Private Rent

DGHP, Loreburn Housing, etc.

Other …………………………………………………

79) Are there adequate bedrooms to accommodate all the family?

Yes No

80) Do you think your caring commitments in future would affect your social life?

Yes No

81) When seeking information and advice, do you feel you are treated the same

as everyone else?

Yes No

82) If no, what are the reasons?

............................................................................................................................

83) Does this stop you from seeking any further help?

Yes No

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THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE

TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES OF DGMA PLEASE

WRITE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW.

Name : ……………………………………………………………………………..….

Address : ……………………………………………………………………………..….

……………………………………………………..……………………………

…………………………………………… Post Code: ………………………

Email …………………………………………………………………………………..

Please send your completed questionnaire in the enclosed envelope to:

Minority Communities Care Access Project DGMA Multicultural Centre Holywood Building Old Assembly Close Dumfries DG1 2PH

© Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association