SIGNIFICANT LEVELS of isolation, anxiety and depression are found among the elderly in the London-Irish community and those who have prepared poorly for emigration, according to a new survey.
Carried out for the London-Irish Centre and the Federation of Irish Societies, the study found nearly one-quarter of London-Irish aged 65 and over report poor, or very poor, health.
The survey of nearly 900 people supported prior evidence that the health of the London-Irish dips sharply after 50.
Major differences are displayed between the older and newer generations of emigrants, with older groups far more likely to be involved with Irish community organisations in the city.
The study found that those involved with such groups are far better informed about their entitlements.
Carers are particularly vulnerable, according to the survey: one- quarter report being depressed, one in five suffers anxiety and half say their own health is poor.
The majority of the recent wave of emigrants to London are doing well: with 55.9 per cent in middle-management, administrative or professional roles.
Just one in 10 Irish emigrants is engaged in manual work.
More than one in 10 new migrants surveyed admitted, however, to anxiety or depression: “A substantial proportion cite a lack of planning as a major cause of stress and anxiety,” said the authors of the report, Jeff Moore, Eugene Waters, Mary Tilki and Lisa Clarke. Some unemployed Irish have encountered difficulties with JobCentres, whose staff display a “limited understanding of the eligibility for benefits of Irish claimants”, especially if they had worked in Ireland.
“Discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity is perceived as a less pervasive problem, but negative stereotypes persist among some sections of wider London society,” the reports finds.
Official bodies in London have “a limited understanding of the needs of the Irish community” and often “make assumptions based on ill-informed stereotypes”.
In general, the new wave of emigrants are doing well, with just “a negligible proportion” admitting to living in overcrowded conditions – but advance planning is repeatedly shown to be the key.
“Many recent migrants do not plan their relocation thoroughly. Many show a lack of awareness in terms of the housing market, geography, the cost of living and the utilities,” states the report.
Loneliness is a factor, however: “Recent Irish migrants to London find it difficult to establish meaningful social support.
“Only 5.3 per cent of recent migrants perceive they have strong levels of social support.”
Welcoming the report, Labour MP Chris Ruane, who chairs the Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Irish in Britain, said it highlights concerns that vulnerable Irish are “at risk of neglect at a time of austerity”.
About 11 per cent of London’s population were born in Ireland or regard themselves as Irish.
Divisions between the Irish-born and second-generation Irish are highlighted: “Many second-generation Irish respondents are offended by their treatment by the wider Irish-born community and some Irish community organisations.”
“The term ‘plastic paddies’ was offensive and upsetting and made many respondents wary of seeking help within the community,” said the report.
It also finds that many are unsure whether or not they are entitled to use Irish community organisations.
