Human Appeal, a leading humanitarian aid charity, has released a survey highlighting how community sharing can alleviate financial pressures during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Conducted by YouGov, the research reveals that almost two-thirds of UK households are overdue for decluttering, with many holding onto unused items. Nearly three-quarters of respondents expressed a willingness to donate these items for free to benefit others locally, demonstrating strong potential for community-driven solutions to financial and environmental challenges.
We exclusively interviewed Owais Khan, Deputy CEO of Human Appeal about it.
1. How can ethnic minority communities specifically benefit from community-sharing initiatives during the cost of living crisis?
Community sharing initiatives serve to support those in our local areas who are facing financial difficulty by donating items we no longer use. As of May 2024, research by Trust for London found that 34% of ethnic minorities surveyed were experiencing poverty compared with 17% of those who identify as white, so community sharing offers the opportunity to reduce this number among these groups by donating items that are sitting idle in our homes. Community sharing also benefits all ethnic groups by bolstering community ties. In the UK we have incredibly diverse communities, and community sharing facilitates increased social cohesion by bringing different ethnicities together.
2. What strategies can be implemented to encourage ethnic minority groups to share in the community, especially in areas where trust and close-knit relationships are crucial?
Concerning community sharing, the first thing any community can do is to establish strong ties between ethnic groups to build trust and relationships between members of the community. To do this will require a deep understanding of these different groups’ needs and concerns. Community events are a positive way to bring different ethnic groups together, begin a dialogue, and lay the foundations for long-term relationships. Close-knit relationships are the bedrock of any community, and by extending this kindness to all ethnic groups in our local areas have the potential to facilitate strong, long-lasting sharing networks across the country.
3. In what ways can local leaders and organisations within ethnic minority communities facilitate the creation and growth of these sharing networks?
Local leaders and organisations have a key role to play in creating sharing networks. Their stature in local communities means that they have a unique opportunity to build trust, as well as the means to engage all ethnic groups and facilitate this cohesion. Whether by organising charitable events, local cultural celebrations - for example of food, art and culture - or partnering with local schools or businesses in ethnic communities to announce the creation of a sharing network, local leaders can speed up the process of bringing diverse groups together and using their platform to reach all members of the community.
4. How can cultural differences be acknowledged and respected in promoting community sharing, ensuring that the needs and preferences of ethnic minorities are met?
Respecting cultural differences is vital not only for community sharing but for stronger local bonds. Engaging with those around us who have different views, experiences and beliefs encourages us to practise this respect. By listening to and learning from individuals or groups whose life differs from our own, we gain a deeper understanding of another human’s views, which is a vital element of personal growth. This bears specific relevance for ethnic minorities whose traditions and history are often the subject of prejudice, so a greater understanding of and respect for these practices on a local level from the wider community can help ensure that the needs and preferences of all members are heard and acknowledged.
5. What role does Human Appeal envision in supporting ethnic minorities to engage in community sharing, and how does it plan to measure the success of these initiatives?
At Human Appeal, our motto is ‘here for every human’, and community is ingrained at the heart of all of our projects both across the UK and around the world. In the UK for example, our yearly winter project, Wrap Up, encourages all members of local communities in UK cities to donate items of clothing they no longer need, which we distribute alongside our partners to the most vulnerable. Now in its 9th year and running across 7 UK cities, Wrap Up brings all ethnic groups together with the goal of helping the less fortunate. This is all the more pressing during the winter months and is heightened by the ongoing cost of living crisis.
