MEWN Annual Review

2005/06 was another busy year for MEWN Cymru, one in which we succeeded in increasing our influence and scope. MEWN Cymru has continued with a strong portfolio of work representing the interests of BME Women. Please see our latest Annual Review to learn about MEWN Cymru’s work over the last year.

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Research and Reports

MEWN Cymru prides itself on maintaining its knowledge and expertise of BME women in Wales, their needs and their experiences. We also recognise the importance of keeping abreast of changes and developments within the BME women's sector in Wales and ensuring our projects and campaigns continue to reflect BME women's issues.

In order to achieve this we endeavour to undertake and contribute to research and mapping initiatives where possible. However, recognising the lack of any information currently being gathered in Wales that is specific to BME women, MEWN Cymru is also embarking on a drive to commission high quality research in this field, that may not only assist the organisation to better address the needs of our client group, but allow policy makers and mainstream organisations to better understand the issues important to BME women in Wales.

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Hidden Needs of Vulnerable Women in North Wales

MEWN Cymru in partnership with Tai Hafan and BAWSO (Black Association of Women Stepping Out) have also taken steps to start to identify BME women's needs in North Wales.

This short piece of research, completed in early 2004, gives some indication of the scale of need among BME women in North Wales, who are often isolated and potentially very vulnerable, with a distinct lack of social or community support available to them locally.

For a copy of this research, contact Tai Hafan on 01267 225555 or to discuss the issues raised in the report further, please contact MEWN Cymru's Cardiff Office.

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Black Ethnic Support Team's North Wales Communities Research

The Black and Ethnic Minority Support Team is a partnership of four organisations: the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA), the Black Voluntary Sector Network (BVSNW), the Minority Ethnic Women's Network (MEWN Cymru) and the Scarman Trust.

Together with the other BEST partners MEWN Cymru commissioned an extensive piece of research in North Wales Research which was undertaken by the North Wales Race Equality Network (NWREN) in association with the Department of Social Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor. This piece of work, completed in August 2004, provides qualitative and quantitative information on BME communities in the area, information on the specific support structures for them and information on the progress on the Communities First programme.

For a copy of the executive summary or the full research report, Click Here or if you would prefer it in Welsh Click Here

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'Reaching Through the Mist' Advice Booklet

This is a booklet which has been developed especially for people living in North Wales. The booklet aims to assist integration into society by providing advice and information on areas such as housing, transportation, employment, finance, education, welfare, health and safety. If you would like a copy of the booklet (available in English and Welsh), please contact the MEWN Cymru Office.


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Untangling the Web

The focus of the work was to improve access to legal advice and information for ethnic minorities in Wales, and over the life of the project, a number of barriers to access, and a range of possible solutions were identified. In addition, the report sets out a series of recommended measures for change for a range of key partners, in order that the needs of ethnic minority communities in Wales may be better addressed.

For the full report please follow the link: Click Here

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Voices from Within

Voices from Within documents the diverse experiences of Ethnic Minority (EM) women's organisations in Wales. Through a range of methods, EM women's voluntary organisations have developed culturally specific and regionally appropriate services in difficult circumstances. Several EM women continue to experience isolation, exclusion, poverty and an urgent need for support in their communities.

The case-studies give an insight into what the different organisations do and how they have strived to benefit EM women across Wales. The range of services provided by these groups are wide, and examples of this study include: youth work, adult education, training and employment programmes, mental health provisions, care of older people, refugees, counselling, general advice and support work, and social and cultural events. These encompass services that are centred on the needs of EM women in all aspects of their lives.

The launch was a great success, attended by representatives of 25 voluntary and community groups. The Minister for Business, with responsibility for Equality, and Children, Ms Jane Hutt (AM), launched the document, stating that while 'it was saddening to hear that many ethnic minority women still experience isolation, exclusion and poverty... it is heartening to see how much work is actually being undertaken around Wales, despite the many problems and difficulties that many voluntary organisations operate under.' Ms Hutt (AM) also met two of the war veterans present, who were in the photographic display. She commended their efforts, as well as the efforts of organisations such as MEWN Cymru, highlighting that "Mewn Cymru is doing its work in every part of Wales. The challenge to Government now is that we have to listen to these voices."

For the Voices from Within report Click Here

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Bridging the Gap

'Lack of access to reliable legal advice in known to be a contributing factor in creating and maintaining social exclusion. Barriers in access to information and advice exist for ethnic minorities in respect of most services in Wales and there is considerable unmet need arising from geographical, economic, psychological and cultural barriers'

(Bridging the Gap, 2004)

The Community Legal Service was established in 2000 to co-ordinate legal and advice services in England and Wales and to contribute to making the justice system fair, accessible and affordable.

It has been acknowledged however, through the Legal Services Commission's own work and Government reports, that take-up of mainstream advice services is generally low amongst members of ethnic minority communities, although there is little evidence that is Wales specific.

In July 2002, supported by anecdotal evidence from its members and through community development work, Minority Ethnic Women's Network Wales (MEWN Cymru) established the Communities and Advice Services Project with the aim of improving access to advice and information to ethnic minorities in Wales.

The University of Wales, Bangor and the University of Glamorgan were commissioned by MEWN Cymru in April 2004 to undertake research that sought to identify some of the barriers that exist for ethnic minority individuals and communities in taking up advice, and what support is needed to deliver a more effective service.

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