Most of our Inquiry reports focus on the voluntary services ‘industry’ in general. But the history both of government policy and of voluntary sector services has shown that minorities, and especially ethnic minorities, repeatedly fare worse than other sections of the population. So today we are releasing two reports that focus on aspects of this scene.

The first, by Valerie Lipman of King’s College, London looks at the role played by Voluntary Services Groups (VSGs) in tackling the disadvantage experienced by Black and Minority Ethnic Elders (Inquiry into the Future of Voluntary Services Support for Black and Minority Ethnic Older People). Her conclusions indicate that little has changed for BAME older people over the last 30 years in terms of inequality, access to services and unmet needs as mainstream bodies persist in neglecting this group of people. This has created a situation in which the contribution of small BAME groups is crucial but these groups are undermined by cuts in spending and further marginalisation.

The second report, by Lisa Rodan of University of Kent, looks at the response of VSGs working with migrants and refugees to rising xenophobia within public policy (Refugee and Migrant Group Action on Xenophobia and Public Policy). Her conclusions are that co-option and bureaucratisation has decreased solidarity amongst potentially radical factions within the voluntary sector concerned to defend the position of refugees and migrants. It is necessary for those advocating dissent and opposition to prevailing policies and attitudes “…to embed themselves within communities and create a dialogue of shared solidarity, resources and practical support.”