Cornish conference tackles racism

An anti-racism group says an inclusive community is vital

Some people from ethnic minorities in Cornwall claim they are facing racism, isolation, exclusion and a non-acceptance of their culture.

Some ethnic minority groups have said they are also three times more likely to be made homeless.

A conference is being held in Truro on Saturday to look at ways of dealing with the issues facing non-white people in the county.

People from ethnic minorities make up about 1% of the Cornish population.

Concerns have been raised that not enough has been done to address their needs.

Sometimes they just feel really different Anatu Ben-Lawal

The organisation Anti-Racism Cornwall believes it is vital to create an inclusive community.

Its chairman Charles Fleming said: "We want to bring people from all sectors of society together, regardless of background, so we can try to ensure that no-one feels the negative effects of racism and prejudice in their everyday lives."

Anatu Ben-Lawal, an education officer with the organisation, works with schoolchildren who have been the victims of racism and says life for some of them can be extremely isolating.

"There are different issues, a lot of them are in wonderful schools and have wonderful parents," she said.

"But sometimes they just feel really different and don't know where to go to find out about that other side of themselves."