About

Co-POWeR: Consortium on Practices of Well-being and Resilience in BAME Families and Communities 

Two viruses – COVID-19 and discrimination – are currently killing in the UK (Solanke 2020), especially within BAMEFC who are hardest hit. Survivors face ongoing damage to wellbeing and resilience, in terms of physical and mental health as well as social, cultural and economic (non-medical) consequences. Psychosocial and physical trauma of those diseased and deceased, disproportionate job-losses, multi-generational housing, disrupted care chains, lack of access to culture, education and exercise, poor nutrition, ‘over-policing’ hit BAMEFC severely.

The impact of these viruses cause long-term poor outcomes. Co-POWeR investigates their combined impact on practices for wellbeing and resilience across BAMEFC in the UK to create an holistic idea of vulnerabilities damaging BAMEFC, broadening/deepening existing work as well as conducting new research. Systemic deficiencies have stimulated BAMEFC agency, producing solidarity under emergency, yet BAMEFC vulnerability remains, requiring official support. We produce evidenced recommendations enabling official mitigation of disproportionate damage to the wellbeing and resilience of BAMEFC. Empowerment is a core consortium value – co-design, co-production, capacity-building and engagement informs our methodology. Alongside recommendations, regular reports and meetings, outputs to benefit BAMEFC within the grant period include digital educational resources and cultural materials (films, plays, exhibition).

Co-POWeR will provide evidenced recommendations to key audiences (healthcare stakeholders, policy-makers, local government and social services), targeting policy and behavioural change, and raising awareness to support BAMEFC to live well and in confidence under COVID-19. Recommendations will stress how policy can improve to ‘build back better’, supporting BAMEFC to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to future shocks. Co-POWeR will enhance official decision-making through strengthening cultural competence in ongoing responses to COVID-19 thereby maximizing success of national strategy.

Co-POWeR has been awarded £2.5 million by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) via the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Co-POWeR logo design: Nic Fu