OUGD505 Studio Brief 02 - Identifying an area of interest

Identifying an area of interest:

Post Brexit Racism

Racist or religious abuse incidents recorded by police in England and Wales jumped 41% in the month after the UK voted to quit the EU. Strong anecdotal evidence supports the view that there was also a genuine rise in crimes targeted at ethnic minorities and foreign nationals: the Brexit vote appeared to unleash something in people - they felt they had a licence to attack Polish migrants and insult Muslims.

This is something that I personally find really shocking and sad, that racism is still happening in this day and age. I think I could be really involved with this issue and really strive to produce something really effective.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37640982

Groups of interest:
- Migrant's Rights Network
- HOPE not hate

Homelessness in the UK

All forms of homelessness have risen due to the shortage of housing and ongoing effects of the economic recession combined with government policies - particularly reforms and cuts to housing benefit. Homelessness is an isolating and frightening experience. Homeless people are invisible, ignored and forgotten. At worst, homelessness can mean sleeping rough on the streets. However the problem of homelessness is much bigger than that of rough sleeping.

http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/homeless-def-numbers.html

Charities:
- Crisis
- Shelter
- Emmaus
- Barnados
- The Salvation Army

Britains Mental Health Problem

1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. The overall number of people with mental health problems has not changed significantly in recent years, but worries about things like money, jobs and benefits can make it harder for people to cope. 
"Despite it affecting so many of us, prejudice against people with a mental illness still exists, and there is some resistance to the provision of community care for people suffering with mental ill health".

Charities:
- Mind
- SANE
- Mental Health Foundation


After looking into three areas of interest I want to try and tackle the issue of hate crime and racism within the UK. I think that this is a really important issue, there aren't any positives that come from racism and it is something that still needs to be addressed. I am going to do further in depth-research so that I can come up with varied responses.