Perceptions and usage of the countryside amongst minority ethnic people, disabled people and young people
DEFRA tasked the Countryside Agency with carrying out a comprehensive Diversity Review to find out why people from ethnic minority backgrounds, young people, older people, disabled people, people on low income and women make little use of the countryside. The Diversity Review generated a detailed Action Plan to overcome the current under-representation of these groups amongst users of the countryside. As part of a broad programme of research, ETHNOS were contracted to find out:
ETHNOS carried out an extensive literature review on these issues. We also worked closely with nearly 300 people from ethnic minority backgrounds (Black Caribbeans, Indians and Pakistanis), disabled people (wheelchair users, blind/visually impaired people and people with mental health problems), and young people (aged between 14 and 20) to find out about their perceptions, usage and needs in relation to the countryside.
Using a combination of individual interviews, focus group discussions and escorted visits with families to the countryside, we identified similarities and differences in the groups’ representations of the countryside, in their perceptions of the benefits of countryside use, in the main barriers preventing access and in the provisions and services people want in order to enjoy the countryside. Strategic recommendations to diversify use of the countryside were made, based on the findings. ETHNOS also presented the research at regional roadshows for countryside practitioners.
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