Sharifa, a 74-year-old Bangladeshi woman living in Northampton, speaks softly but firmly when discussing her experience with local care services. “They come to help,” she says, “but they don’t understand us. They don’t speak our language. The food isn’t right. We feel like strangers in our own homes.” Her story isn’t unique, but it is telling.
Sharifa’s frustration highlights a growing demand among elderly BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities in inner-city areas across the UK: culturally competent care. Despite the rising costs and visible expansion of care services, people like Sharifa are still being left out, lost in translation, overlooked in design, and isolated by default.
A System That Doesn’t Fit Everyone
Many elderly BAME residents in towns like Northampton face a one-size-fits-all care system rooted in white British cultural norms. Language barriers are common. Dietary needs—such as halal, vegetarian, or culturally specific meals—are often unmet. Social and religious customs go unacknowledged. And for many, particularly first-generation migrants with limited English, even navigating the system is a challenge.
Sharifa explains how her husband stopped accepting visits from a care worker after several awkward and uncomfortable encounters. “They didn’t know how to speak to him, and he didn’t know how to ask for what he needed. So he just said, ‘Don’t come anymore.’” This kind of quiet withdrawal from care is widespread—and dangerous.
Why This Matters Now
The UK is ageing, and BAME populations are a significant part of that demographic shift. Yet the care system has been slow to adapt. In Northampton, local organisations report that elderly residents from African, Caribbean, South Asian, and Eastern European backgrounds often feel excluded and unsupported.
Sharifa’s story was one of many that prompted this research and blog. Community members and advocates are increasingly calling for targeted action. They’re not asking for special treatment—just fair, inclusive care that recognises their identities, languages, and values.
The Core Demand: Cultural Competence
At the heart of the issue is a lack of cultural competence. Care workers who understand religious customs, speak relevant languages, and respect community norms are needed. There’s also a clear need to hire staff from similar backgrounds and fund outreach through trusted community networks.
There are signs of progress in Northampton. A few pilot projects have emerged—like bilingual support services and partnerships with BAME-led groups—but the scale remains small compared to the growing demand.
Housing and Social Isolation
Another critical aspect is housing. Many elderly BAME individuals live in multigenerational homes or unsuitable housing that doesn’t meet mobility or cultural needs. They want accessible homes where they can age safely while staying connected to their community and traditions.
What Needs to Change
Policymakers must start by listening. Cultural training, inclusive care design, and community involvement in planning aren’t optional—they’re necessary. Without change, more people like Sharifa will keep falling through the cracks of a system that claims to serve them but doesn’t understand them.
This is about dignity, not charity. And it’s long overdue.
