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Given the relative invisibility of young adults in national discussions and policy approaches relating to COVID-19, the DPU has partnered with Ìý²¹²Ô»å , to launch the project , a collaborative, mixed methods research project, documenting the perspectives and experiences of Black and racially minoritised young adults (aged 18 to 35) in England, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to a gap in current understandings, the project explored how young people’s experiences of home, work, mobility, community and well-being have been affected by the pandemic and by prolonged periods of lockdown.

With the support and guidance of 12 peer researchers, the project reached out to over 200 young adults from across England, through focus group discussions, an online survey, a podcast series and a short film, to capture some of their diverse voices and experiences.

As a result of the research, a set of key findings have been . Some of the key findings are as follows:

• Navigating Space Under LockdownÌýhighlights theÌýdeep, differentiated, impact of the pandemic on young Black and minoritised adults in England. The research points to theÌývulnerabilityÌýof many in this demographic, marked byÌýprecarity in housing and employment conditions. COVID-19 and prolonged lockdowns have compounded these and broaderÌýexperiences of disadvantage and exclusion.
• The research also highlights theÌýremarkable resilience and adaptability of young minoritised adultsÌý– aided byÌýtechnological know-howÌýand, in many cases, social media – in what have been unprecedented and oftenÌýtraumatic times. In such context,ÌýBlack and Minoritised community networks have been critical pillars for young adults and their networks, filling in gaps left by government in access to essential goods and services, and support. The pilot research begs the question: how long can such networks – often most affected by the pandemic, and with limited resources – continue to pick up the slack?
• Home and housing conditionsÌýare key for understanding the differentiated impacts of COVID-19 and associated lockdown measures on young Black and minoritised adults in England. Who young people live with, how much space they have access to, housing density and /or cost considerationsÌýhaveÌýsignificantly impacted young adults’ ability to work (including ability to work from home), their work prospects and economic security.
• Housing conditions have also had aÌýmajor impact on young adults’ mental health and wellbeing: a source ofÌýcomfortÌý²¹²Ô»å a shield from isolation in some cases;Ìýor,Ìýin others, a major point of stress, anxiety and insecurity, especially for those in high density households / shared accommodation. Many reportedÌýfeeling unsafe or unable to ‘be themselves in their own homes’, or having to hide aspects of themselves. Ìý
• Our research has highlighted theÌýclose interconnection betweenÌýmental health, housing and work situations. Loss of physical connectivity and access have intensified this link, whilstÌýsocial mediaÌýwas described as both a source of support and of anxiety.Ìý
• For many young Black and minoritised adults in England,Ìýmental health support has been difficult to access. However, with COVID-19, it hasÌýbecome publicly legitimate to discuss the mental health of young adults.
• COVID-19 and lockdown experiences have played an indirect role inÌýsharpening identity awareness for many young Black and minoritised adultsÌýin England. Coinciding with theÌýBlack Lives MatterÌýprotests, many became acutely aware of theÌýdisproportionate impact of the pandemic on minoritised groups. For some, this coincided with aÌýheightened sense of disenchantment with the State and the mainstream institutional landscape,Ìýwhose COVID-19 responses left many racialised minorities ‘off the map’.

For further information about the project please contact DPU's Barbara Lipietz, Daniel OviedoÌýor Jordana Ramalho, orÌýUbele'sÌýJunior Mtonga