Ageing while Black: The experiences of Black Caribbean older people in England
AGE UK, 2025
ClearView Research was commissioned by Age UK to explore how older Black Caribbean people (aged 50+) experience ageing in the UK.
We examined the impact of a lifetime of racism, discrimination, and inequality on well-being and financial security in later life, and how these intersect with ageism.
Our approach combined oral histories, group discussions and collaborative analysis across Bristol, London and Birmingham, capturing first-hand accounts of how racism shapes later life.
We held Luncheon Learn Labs and tea and cake gatherings with older participants (70+), creating spaces to share what they need to live well in later life. Finally, through a collaborative online workshop, participants helped analyse their own narratives ensuring the findings reflected their lived experiences and provided space for healing and reflection.
Key findings include:
A cumulative toll of racism across education, housing, healthcare, and employment, described as lifelong “weathering.”
The impact on Black women (particularly single mothers) was especially severe.
Many participants expressed exhaustion and a need for restoration on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Racism and discrimination were seen as embedded across all societal institutions, not isolated incidents.
The research calls for holistic, intergenerational, and anti-racist approaches across community, education, benefits, healthcare, and employment systems.
