Marginalised
Communities
Why it matters
Every young person should feel that they belong in their community and that their experiences and identities are understood and valued. A lack of representation, education and meaningful inclusion can reinforce stereotypes and create divisions between communities.
Meaningful change requires listening directly to marginalised communities and recognising the diversity within them. Representation should reflect people's real experiences rather than becoming tokenistic or performative.
The issues
Young people across the nations identified barriers faced by marginalised communities, including a lack of integration, representation, understanding and awareness. These challenges can be particularly visible in rural areas, where there may be fewer opportunities for different communities to connect and build relationships.
Young people also highlighted how wider social and political structures, including the UK class system, can create inequalities and result in policies and opportunities that favour wealthier people.
There is also a lack of representation of marginalised communities in the media, alongside limited education about the different cultures, religions and groups that make up our communities.
What young people said?
Young people across nations identified:
A lack of integration in rural areas
The UK class system and policies that favour the rich
Integration being important, but not possible for everyone
A lack of representation in the media
A lack of education about the cultures, religions and groups within our communities
A lack of awareness and training for service providers and community leaders
Young people also shared what helps:
Meaningful representation
Intergenerational work to break cycles and learn from the past
Listening directly to marginalised communities
Challenging stereotypes
Moving away from tokenism and focusing on reality
Authentic representation rather than forced representation
Education about marginalised communities
What we want decision makers to do
- Listen to marginalised communities – involve people with lived experience in developing policies and services that affect their communities, rather than making decisions on their behalf.
- Make representation meaningful – ensure marginalised communities are genuinely represented in decision-making, public life and the media, while recognising the diversity of experiences within communities.
- Challenge stereotypes – take action to address harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about marginalised communities through education, awareness and meaningful engagement.
- Invest in education – improve education about the different cultures, religions, identities and communities that make up our societies.
- Improve training for service providers and community leaders – ensure those making decisions about communities have the knowledge, understanding and skills to provide inclusive and appropriate support.
- Support intergenerational work – create opportunities for different generations to share experiences, explore the past, understand how inequalities have developed and learn from previous mistakes.
- Invest in rural and isolated communities – ensure young people from marginalised communities in rural areas have opportunities to connect, participate and build relationships within and beyond their local communities.
Action plan
Marginalised communities are listened to and have meaningful influence over decisions that affect them.
Young people see themselves and their communities represented authentically in public life and the media.
Stereotypes and misconceptions about marginalised communities are challenged.
Young people understand and value the different cultures, religions and communities around them.
Young people have opportunities to connect across different communities and generations.
Rural and disadvantaged communities are not left behind.
Everyone can feel that they belong, are respected and have a place in their community.
Contact
For more information contact: holly@youthaction.org
Funded by:
Supported by:
