Creating inclusive support: reflections from Refuge frontline colleagues on Black History Month

Every year, this month is an opportunity to celebrate Black history, culture, identity and achievement, while also reflecting on the experiences of Black communities today. 

We spoke to service colleagues across Refuge to find out how an anti-racist and intersectional approach shapes their work, and what this month means to them and the survivors our services support.   

Their answers reflect a deep commitment to culturally competent support, community-building and continued learning  – not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year. 

What does Black History Month mean to residents, service-users and Refuge colleagues? 

Our colleagues shared a range of perspectives on what this month means to staff and survivors, reflecting some of the diverse experiences and communities of individuals across Refuge: 

Maya*, Lambeth Service: “As a culturally specific service supporting African and Caribbean women, our specialist service offering means we can acknowledge the unique experiences and challenges faced by many Black women, whilst also celebrating their achievements, identifies and cultures. For our residents, Black History Month is an opportunity to feel seen, heard and valued. It encourages the sharing of stories and experiences, and strengthens a sense of belonging, empowerment and community. It is a time where we listen, learn and reflect, deepening our understanding of the experiences of Black communities.  

We recognise that celebrating Black communities is not something that happens for one month of the year. We celebrate Black culture, heritage, identity, and excellence every day through our work, identities, relationships and daily practice. However, Black History Month provides a special moment to honour our history, whilst continuing to champion black women, children and families throughout the years.” 

Abby, Kingston Service: “[Black History Month] serves as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of Black communities. For residents and service-users, it offers an opportunity to celebrate diversity, reflect on social justice, and acknowledge the ongoing journey toward equality. It fosters a sense of pride, belonging, and empowerment within the community.” 

Elise, Hammersmith and Fulham Service: “Black History Month is a great opportunity for the team and the residents to remind each other of the importance of the work that we do to support survivors facing additional barriers, and learn about new tools and the work of fellow by-and-for organisations. 

 A lot of survivors experience abuse and have difficulties accessing support due to their race, and this is an opportunity to think collectively about how we can do better. Black History Month is a reflective time to think about our own day-to-day biases and reflect on how we can do better to fight racism in our personal and professional lives. We also use this opportunity to have conversations in our refuges about Black excellence in the refuges, talking about inspiring figures, and reminding survivors about all the inspiring work that has been done by members of their community to work further on anti-racism.” 

Florence, Lewisham Service: ‘This month is an opportunity to celebrate, recognise, and learn about the histories, cultures, achievements and contributions of Black people and communities. It is also a time to reflect on the impact of racism and inequality, systemic racism and inequality, both historically and today, and consider how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society. For residents, it can provide a space to be and feel seen, valued and represented.” 

What is an anti-racist and intersectional approach to support, and why is it important? 

 Refuge is committed to understanding and challenging the barriers faced by Black survivors. We asked colleagues what an anti-racist and intersectional approach means in practice.  

Zara, Barking and Dagenham Service: “We have a lot of women flee into our refuges who are from Black and Ethnic Minorities. We recognise the need to be inclusive. To me, this means being open to learning about one another and not making assumptions based on the biases we may hold. We strive to create a culture of learning, curiosity and celebrating differences.  As part of this, we have a standing agenda in our team meetings to discuss EDI topics.” 

Amara, Gaia Centre: “An anti-racist approach means actively recognising how racism shapes a survivor’s experience of abuse, their trust in services and how they are treated by wider systems. An intersectional approach ensures we see each survivor as a whole person – understanding that their race, culture, faith, disability, sexuality and immigration status all shape their needs, so we can provide support that is tailored rather than one size fits all.” 

Maya, Lambeth Service: “An anti-racist approach means actively challenging systematic inequalities and ensuring black communities feel heard, understood and represented when accessing support. It is important to acknowledge the impact that racism can have on a survivor’s experiences, her willingness to seek help, trust in services, trust in professionals, and the way they may be treated by wider systems and services. 

An Intersectional approach is important to recognise that every survivor’s experience is unique and shaped by multiple aspects of their identity, including race, culture, their faith, and more. We aim to celebrate cultural identity and ensure representation through our various resources and activities.” 

Heather, Warwickshire Service: “In non-culturally specific services, the importance of supporting survivors to feel seen and represented is vital – both within refuges and beyond. It’s important to demonstrate an inclusive environment to create trust for disclosure and to build cohesion, not just in October but as a key part of our permanent work.” 

How do Refuge colleagues go about community building and making sure survivors feel welcome? 

Small details can make a significant difference when someone arrives at a refuge. Our colleagues shared some of the ways they support survivors to settle in and build a sense of community. 

Maya, Lambeth Service: “Lambeth provides culturally appropriate welcome care packages that include hair care products and toiletries commonly used with black communities. We also provide familiar food packages that reflect African and Caribbean cultures, helping new residents to feel more at home when they first arrive to the refuge.  

New residents receive essential household items, including cutlery and cooking equipment that reflects the nature of familiar cooking, such as, Dutch Pots. We also provide books and toys that promote diversity and celebrate African and Caribbean cultures, ensuring children can see themselves positively, and relate to people that look like them. All residents receive a welcome pack containing information about the refuge, local services and available support. Children are provided with their own welcome booklet too, which includes avatars of each staff member to help families become familiar with the team.” 

Kaylee, Dispersed Accommodation, Warwickshire: “Colleagues in dispersed accommodation created a culturally diverse event in summer to celebrate differences. We invited residents to bring a dish from their culture to a shared meal at our local community venue. Our Children’s Support Worker made a lasagne using Halal meat which was devoured by all the children in the families. 

Another resident contributed her family recipe of chicken biriyani, and another cooked up a lamb tagine. It was amazing to see all the children gathered around trying different foods and celebrating the differences between the families and their backgrounds. They all then took part in a dance-off and even roped in the service and deputy manager to the macarena. Followed by traditional party games such as musical chairs, pass the parcel and a treasure hunt. The bringing of dishes prompted discussions and nostalgic feelings from their cultures and family traditions and helped all to strengthen bonds and support to one another. “ 

Zara, Barking and Dagenham Service: “We hold various events in our refuges around celebrating differences including Black History Month. We recently applied for a bid with the support of the development team to deliver a project on EDI in the refuges where we were successful. This will involve showcasing people’s faiths and cultures in the refuges through a project scheduled to coincide with Inter-Faith week in November. “ 

Heather, Warwickshire Service: “We have been working to ensure that provisions are increasingly more inclusive; through welcome packs and toiletries, books for adults and children reflecting diversity, and inclusive and diverse playroom toys including dolls with various skin tones. Activities are designed in weekly house coffee mornings and colleagues purchase items reflective of the activities that survivors want to do. This also allows survivors to skill share with cooking and other activities.” 

What specialist, culturally competent services does Refuge offer for Black survivors? 

Culturally competent support means recognising and helping to navigate the specific barriers Black survivors may face.  

Maya, working in our culturally specific Lambeth service supporting African and Caribbean survivors shared what this means in practice: 

“Our Lambeth Refuge offers immigration and welfare advocacy by signposting and supporting women to access specialist legal advice if needed. Lambeth also provides language and communication support, helping residents to access interpreters to reduce barriers of support.  

Lambeth challenges barriers that Black survivors can face when accessing housing, healthcare, social care, welfare benefits etc. We provide a safe space where survivors can discuss experiences of abuse/trauma without fear of cultural misunderstanding, stereotyping or judgement. We also offer advocate with agencies on behalf of black survivors, where issues of race, culture or identity may impact outcomes. “ 

*This blog uses pseudonyms to protect the identity of some of Refuge’s frontline staff members.