Online support for ‘Mixed’ families

Research into online support resources for ‘Mixed’ families

Couple partnerships across different racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds are a growing phenomenon in Britain, and their ‘Mixed’ offspring are estimated to be one of the fastest growing ethnic groups. Despite this, there has been little discussion of ‘Mixed’ couples’ own understandings of the supposed ‘clash’ or problems they may come across.

OnePlusOne has collaborated with academics from universities across England, and other support organisations (People in Harmony, Intermix and MixTogether) to develop resources to help support ‘Mixed’ couples and their families.

Previous research findings have been adapted into online resources for ‘mixed’ couples, available at theCoupleConnection.net.

OnePlusOne has also developed a supporting e-learning resource for professionals who work with different types of families. The resources challenge stereotypes about ‘Mixed’ couples and families; raise awareness of the issues that ‘Mixed’ couples, children and families may face; and provide signposts to agencies supporting ‘Mixed’ people and families.

Initial feedback shows that people consider the online resources to be useful, relevant to issues that they have encountered, and helpful in understanding their situation better. People felt that their situations were normalised, the resources reflected experiences that they had encountered, and welcomed this approach to what can be a ‘taboo’ subject.

Project outputs:

• a working paper publication and a peer reviewed journal article
• continued delivery of theCoupleConnection.net resources for ‘Mixed’ couple users
• supplying ‘Mixed’ resources as part of an e-learning product for practitioners
• continued monitoring of the impact of all ‘Mixed’ resources on users and practitioners (see our survey on our ‘Mixed’ families resources to add feedback)