How to research and engage with migrant worker communities from Eastern and Central Europe - A step by step guide
Transient, and not always easy to identify – one of your trickiest problems
It’s something of a political hot potato, so I am sure facts like these are familiar to you:
- 1,500 migrants arrive in the UK every day
- In the last 10 years the number of working age migrants in the UK has increased by around 1.6 million
- Net migration may well account for 60% of the population growth in the UK in the next 25 years
- 600,000 new EU migrants have come to the UK since 2004, says the Home Office
But perhaps most significant: most of these migrants are from Eastern and Central Europe. And they are very different from others you may have worked with.
Migrant workers are different from other types of recent migrants to the UK because they have a right to work here. And migrants from Eastern Europe are different again as they have their own customs and cultures and are often recruited in their home country to work here.
More and more, migrant communities are going to be an important part of the UK population. Increasingly they are contributing to local economies in a big way and helping to regenerate many local areas.
There can be some problems though. Local services can be stretched and community cohesion undermined as competition for limited local resources intensifies.
Given the scale of this migration there is a pressing need to make sure we include their views in consultation and research.
But public sector bodies are finding they can’t rely on traditional methods of research and community engagement to reach these communities. Even approaches developed with Black and Minority Ethnic communities won’t always work.
These often rely on a sense of community between households from the same ethnic group. This is less so among migrant worker groups.
There’s a variety of reasons for this:
- They tend to be move about a lot
- They can be reluctant to be labelled as migrant workers
- They often work long hours
The day is a step by step guide on how to engage with and research these rather different communities. It covers a host of topics you really need to understand. For example, which methods of data collection work best with these communities? And how do you relate your findings to policy and service development.
Other key areas are:
- Why you need to collect the views of migrant workers
- How to recognise local migrant worker communities
- What sensitivities should you bear in mind when consulting them?
- How to develop a migrant worker consultation strategy that works
- How do you identify them, as they look very similar if not identical to white British communities
- How to gather the views of all sections of the migrant worker community
- How do you best draw up a survey sample?
- What types of questions should you ask?
- How to translate research findings into service improvements
- How do you encourage people to participate in your projects?
- Issues of language and culture
Your tutor
These are some of the reason why we have asked Andy Steele, of Salford University to put together an entirely new one day course on this vitally important topic. Andy has been involved in research with ‘marginalised’ communities for over 15 years, including extensive research into the problems migrant workers face.
What people say about this course and trainer
"The course highlighted areas I wouldn't have considered."
Helen Corrigan, Health Protection Nurse Specialist, NHS Grampian
"Absolutely invaluable. A real insight into the practicalities and pitfalls of researching this community. Extremely relevant to current workload and so good value for money."
Debbie Whitehead, Consultation and Community Involvement Officer, North East Derbyshire District Council
"Identified specifics for me - should make progress easier and more efficient."
Jasper Richmond, Crew Manager, West Sussex Fire Service
"Identification of context and pitfalls. Confirmed that my initial approach was a valid one."
Essex Police
"The course was very informative and well run... Many thanks."
Joanna Davis, Communications Assistant, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
"Really interesting! Plenty of ideas now about future direction and work. Thanks."
Judith Dunn, Business Manager, Newport City Council
"The practical elements involved in researching this group were very useful."
Afi Adjei, Consultant, Building Research Establishment
"A most enjoyable and informative course. Knowledge shared will definitely underpin my future work with Central and Eastern European families. Well done Rod for finding Andy to deliver such a long awaited topic."
Halena Islam, Play Development Manager, Redbridge Children's Trust
"This course was very interesting and informative and really enjoyable."
Janice Dawson, Community Link Worker, Calderdale Council