The Bangladeshi community in Cardiff (approximately 9,000) contains some of the most deprived people in terms of their socio-economic and health status as well as their access to services.  The morbidity and mortality rates from chronic disease are high amongst this community and access to health services is difficult due to communication and cultural barriers.  The tendency of health professionals to expect community members to be ‘educated’ and change to fit in with the existing system often makes it difficult to bridge the gap in communication.  The lack of cultural appropriateness in service provision, lack of accessible information and understanding of the system leads to inappropriate use of the services and a mismatch in expectations.

There are now a number of groups operating within the Bangladeshi community in Cardiff.  The differences in opinion between these groups make it harder for the community to come together and to voice their common concerns collectively.  Traditionally certain sections of the community, such as women and young people, have not been involved or represented by these groups. Outside organisations and service providers looking to access the Bangladeshi community often approach these groups as a way into the community.  This approach has often led to information being left in the hands of the ‘gatekeepers’ with little or no access to the grass root level.

Set up through a participatory action research approach (‘Barefoot Health Workers Project funded by Welsh Assembly Government’s SHARP initiative: 2000-2006), the Cardiff Bangladeshi Society (CBS) is the only group which has been successful in breaking some of the cultural barriers and have achieved a cross sectional representation from the community.

The Strategic Management and overall responsibility of the organisation lies with the Management Committee. The Committee consists of Bangladeshi Men and Women from diverse professional backgrounds with relevant skills and experience from a wide range of areas; Governance, Compliance, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Policy Development, Safeguarding, Education, Equality, Community Engagement and Development.

Over the years CBShas held several health events to raise awareness of common diseases relating to the Bangladeshi Community. Our active engagement with the Cardiff County Council led to the creation of a home school liaison officer for the Bangladeshi Community. Leading up to the ban of smoking in the public place, CBS established a development officer post to encourage the Bangladeshi Men to stop smoking.