The authors of this report would like to acknowledge all those who participated in this research.

This includes focus group and interview participants, without whose involvement it would not have been possible to have undertaken a meaningful investigation.

Thanks also to North Lanarkshire Council for funding this important research project. In particular, thanks to the following individuals who played a vital role in various capacities:

• Audrey Cameron (Equalities Manager)
• Anila Ansari (Support Worker)

They were the chief architects of the initial idea to undertake the research and who formulated the research brief.

Also thanks to all who helped in the process of recruiting participants and identifying suitable venues for the focus groups. They are:

• Nicola Barlow
• Lauren Casey
• Vatican Kayembe
• Councillor Ayeshah Khan
• Isbah Khan
• Kin Wa Li
• Helena Mundell
• Angela Nduka
• Ting Ng
• Mahvish Rizvi
• Ghulam Siddique MBE
• Chaimae Baqqari
• Teresa Collins

Finally, a special mention to Lizanne McMurrich (former Head of Communities) who backed the idea for undertaking this research.

The views expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and research participants, and do not reflect those of North Lanarkshire Council.