海角直播

Research results launched at University

What barriers prevent some women from starting or progressing a career? What prevents women from black and minority ethnic groups accessing local health and social services?

Researchers in the Centre for Social and Policy Research (CSPR) at the University of 海角直播 are launching two new research projects and exploring women鈥檚 issues in the local region. This new work builds on two previous projects and are being funded by the European Social Fund: 鈥淲idening horizons: Improving the role of women in the workplace鈥� and 鈥淣isaa 2: creating employment and health opportunities for BME communities鈥�. These will be launched before an invited audience on Monday 29 March at the University. The two earlier projects which have just been completed: 鈥楤arriers to Women鈥檚 Employment & Progression in the Labour Market in the North East of England鈥� and the 鈥楨nhancing Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Women鈥檚 Opportunities for Well Being in Middlesbrough鈥� are also being launched at this event.

Professor Eileen Green, Director of CSPR, said: 鈥淭he research projects both reveal some interesting issues that are preventing women鈥檚 progression in the work place and how women from black and minority ethnic groups often experience serious difficulties in accessing local health and social care services.鈥�

Dr Jeanne Moore, project director, said: 鈥淥ur launch event will include presentations from each research team to highlight the main findings and some workshops focusing on key issues such as practical solutions to women鈥檚 employment barriers and mentoring schemes for BME women.鈥�

Professor Green and Dr Moore and the researchers will be available for photographs/interviews at 2pm on Monday 29 March at the University of 海角直播 Centre for Enterprise, off Victoria Road, Middlesbrough.

The 鈥�Barriers to Women鈥檚 Employment and Progression in the Labour Market in the North East of England鈥� project was carried out by the University of 海角直播鈥檚 Centre for Social and Policy Research. Fifty-eight women were interviewed and a total of 648 questionnaires were completed. The report can be accessed via dr. Jeanne Moore (j.m.moore@tees.ac.uk)or from www.tees.ac.uk/schools/socialsciences/sssresearch2.cfm

Key conclusions include:

* Women found it a challenge to juggle work and family life * Barriers they faced included childcare; lack of flexible work and time; lack of support and encouragement; self-esteem and confidence; lack of suitable opportunities and training * More than 30% of women believe that women have to work twice as hard as men to get half as far * Nearly 30% of women lack the confidence to apply for promotion at work * How women deal with perceived barriers is influenced by a number of factors including income, support networks, socialisation, working status, parental status and time

The 鈥�Enhancing Black & Minority Ethnic Women鈥檚 Opportunities for Well Being in Middlesbrough鈥� research was carried out by The Nisaa Project. The Nisaa Project (鈥楴isaa鈥� is derived from the Arabic for women) is also based at the University of 海角直播. Fourteen local service providers were interviewed and 61 women from diverse social backgrounds participated in interviews and focus groups. The report can be accessed via Anne Andrew at anne.andrew@tees.ac.uk

It found that:

* Women were satisfied with the services provided by doctors and dentists and most professionals provided for religious and cultural needs

* Women of all ages were more comfortable with female members of staff and stressed the need for female health professionals for personal and sensitive issues

* Women wanted more health information on a variety of health issues and services. Translated written information was not always useful and videos and speaking to specialist workers were good ways of learning about health

* The majority of women agreed that a one-stop-shop would be a good place to ask for advice and get information on health and social care services

* Language and communication were key issues for women when accessing health and social care services

* Many women asked family members or friends to interpret for them

* Very few women knew where to ask for professional interpreters and women were rarely asked if they needed communication support

* Services said they were working to develop cultural sensitivity and awareness and gain the confidence of the local communities but that more resources were needed

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