This week, I had the chance to interview Peter Green, a trustee of Dorset Race Equality Council (DREC), to discuss the vital work the organisation does to promote inclusion and support communities in Dorset. Green, who rejoined DREC as a trustee in 2022 after decades of involvement, shared insights into the challenges faced by minority communities in the area, the organisation's efforts to tackle these issues, and the persistent hurdles of funding and awareness.
“I’ve had a long association with the council,” Green began. “I was a founder member in the mid-90s when it started as a Race Equality Network of individuals. Over time, it grew into a council, officially becoming Dorset Race Equality Council around 2003.” Although Green had to step back during his full-time career with Ofsted, he rejoined DREC upon retirement and now plays a crucial role in keeping the organisation running.
Dorset, including Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, is often perceived as an area with few minority residents, a misconception Green says has long undermined the provision of resources and support. “There’s this perception that, because the numbers are small, the problems are small,” Green explained. “But if you break it down, areas like Bournemouth, Poole, and Weymouth have significant community groups that face real challenges.”
One of these challenges is the lack of awareness about the needs of diverse communities. “Unconscious bias has always been there, but at least now people are starting to recognise it,” Green noted. He also highlighted how isolation exacerbates these issues. “People come here in small groups or as individuals, and they don’t always know where to turn for support.”
The lack of resources adds to these challenges. “We’re a small organisation with just three staff members,” Green said. “A part-time admin worker, a part-time community development officer, and a full-time caseworker who handles racial and religious discrimination cases.” Despite the limited team, their work is vital. “Our caseworker takes on cases involving housing, the police, and local authorities, ensuring these services become more inclusive and understanding.”
Like many non-profits, DREC operates with limited funding, relying heavily on grants. “For a long time, we were funded by local authorities, but that funding has been withdrawn over the years,” Green explained. This has made it difficult to recruit and retain staff, especially for key leadership roles like a Chief Officer. “We’re living hand-to-mouth,” he admitted.
Language barriers, housing shortages, and feelings of exclusion are among the biggest gaps in support for minority communities. “Housing is critical,” Green said. “It’s expensive, and there’s simply not enough of it. Language is another big issue. Often, one family member speaks English, but others don’t, making it harder for them to integrate.”
He also touched on how visible differences, such as skin colour, can make individuals feel unsafe. “When I moved here 40 years ago with a brown face, one of the first questions people would ask me was, ‘Where are you from?’ That might be genuine curiosity, or it might not be. For some, it’s off-putting.”
This visibility, along with the public discourse, can create a hostile environment. “Last year’s riots, for example, affected people’s sense of safety,” Green recalled. “People felt empowered to make aggressive and nasty comments, and that kind of environment can take a toll on mental health.”
Despite these challenges, DREC continues to foster inclusion through initiatives like Community Hubs. “Our community development worker has started hubs in places like Weymouth,” Green said. “These hubs bring people from different communities together to share experiences and support each other. They’ve been quite successful.”
DREC also works closely with organisations like NHS Dorset and local police. “We’re part of Dorset’s Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group,” Green shared. “And our caseworker’s work with racial and religious discrimination cases is a key programme for us. By highlighting issues, we’re pushing services to improve and become more inclusive.”
Reflecting on DREC’s journey and his role, Green expressed both pride and urgency. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still much to do. It’s about making Dorset a place where everyone feels safe, included, and valued, regardless of their background.”
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Find out more about Dorset Race Equality Council and their work here: https://www.dorsetrec.org.uk
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