Our Interests: Equalities

We believe in equality – not in the sense that everyone should be the same, but in the sense that the diversity of people should be seen as a real opportunity and not a threat.  Much of our work involves reducing inequality in health and economic opportunity.  And we have worked consistently over the past 10 years in the area of equality in terms of race, gender, disability, age, faith and sexual orientation.

Ground Breaking Research

In 2004 we carried out ground breaking work in researching the housing needs of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people.  This involved depth interviews with more than 60 older LGBT people and the production of a report and guidance – both illustrated with excellent photographs of those who had taken part in the research.  More recently, we reviewed the policies and practices of local authorities in Scotland in relation to LGBT people.

Consultation and Engagement

In 2005 we wrote guidance for Communities Scotland on undertaking assessments of the housing needs of minority ethnic communities and also on consulting and engaging people from minority ethnic communities.  We have ourselves undertaken assessments of housing needs in 14 different local authorities.

Evaluation

We evaluated the ATLAS project which provided funds for organisations supporting asylum seekers in Scotland.  And we evaluated the Family Return Project in Glasgow, which provided a child centred alternative to detention for families that had exhausted their asylum appeal and required to return to their home country.

Review and Support

We have reviewed the work of the Fife Disabled People’s Housing Service and Ownership Options (an organisation providing advice to disabled people about their housing options).  We worked with East Ayrshire Council to look at how other places dealt with adult literacies and additional support needs – and suggested how the lessons learned might be applied in East Ayrshire.