Out and About in Coventry: Community Voices
Who are the Tamarind Centre?
We wanted to hear the experiences of people from the Caribbean community, to do this we held a conversation with a support group for older Caribbean community members at the Tamarind Centre.
The Tamarind Centre has been around for more than 30 years, and its purpose is to support people from black, Asian and minority ethnic people to improve their mental health and wellbeing. This is achieved through groups, one to one counselling and support and outreach into communities to raise awareness of mental health.
It has long been evidenced that black and black Caribbean communities suffer a higher level of ill health, due to wider determinants of health, including institutionalised racism, discrimination resulting in poorer quality of housing, lower educational attainment due to lack of aspiration by teachers and fewer employment prospects.
See Age UK aging while black (2025) The negative impacts of racism are well documented - see link below.
We spoke to five people, exploring their experiences with GP and hospitals. It was concerning that some members of this community won’t even go to their GPs because they are worried about getting the appointment and the experience is stressful as they feel they are not listened to.
Heritage and understanding of the relationships with the health service means there is no longer a feeling of continuity and care. Members like to stay with the GP they know and trust due to experiences. Increasing technology has meant that booking appointments and blood tests now feels harder for older Caribbean people.
These are some of the issues and experiences raised in the group:
General feelings
- “GPs sometimes don’t listen to Caribbean Community, especially the older community.”
- “We have nothing to push our views forward.”
- “Older people have been taught to trust their GP as an expert, so don’t question what they say, or ask for more information if they are not sure. If they get the same advice time and time again from the GP, they just won’t go.”
- “Continuity of care is important for this community.”
GP
- “One issue is that you are only allowed one issue per appointment – this is difficult for older people.”
- “When you go it feels like a test.”
- “Years ago, you saw the same GP, now it’s a different one every time – this doesn’t feel good to us.”
- “We were taught to trust the GP, now feel like you are a nuisance.”
- “People skills need to be there; with GPs I can’t see if they have any.
- “Since I have come to Coventry I have had the same GP. We are loyal, you go with what you know.”
- “Important to know someone (GP) – have familiarity.”
- “Need training for GPs on continuity of care, -this is how you talk to people.”
- “We are not being listened to.”
- “We need language and confidence to speak with GP.”
- “You can get x rays at City of Coventry Health Centre, we share information.”
- “If you need to go to UHCW you can park at Tesco at Walsgrave Triangle and take the bus.”
Ideas to Improve GP Services
It would be good to look at training and support for Caribbean community to attend the doctors and ask for what they want.
- “More information from the doctors about what you can expect.”
- “Many people are not computer literate. Need to be able to phone.”
- “Many people won’t even go to GP because they find it too difficult and the GP doesn’t hear what they say anyway.”
- “Blood tests – feel like they are not for people who can’t use a computer.”
- “Blood tests where can you go? why can’t every docs have a phlebotomist, not have to travel a long way when you find it difficult to walk.”
- “Could have a roaming phlebotomist?”
- “Need more information about services and where/ what they are.”
- “I feel vulnerable at UHCW because of the wide corridors.”
- Idea Healthwatch and Tamarind could look at what people need to get the best out of their appointment as a collaborative piece of work.
- “The world is changing, but some people are not keeping up with those changes, they need support.”
This is true for many older people, but for people with cultural differences and those whose lives have been rooted in past experiences of colonialism, institutionalised racism, being subjected to poverty, these needs are exacerbated and for some there is a feeling that older people with a Caribbean background in Coventry are missing out on health opportunities, to live healthy long lives.
Call to action
Help us make a difference – tell us your stories of health and social care, whether your experience is bad/ indifferent or good let us know what you think.
Healthwatch can help you get your messages , views and experiences across to those in power to help improve services.
