Projects

"The Dynamics of Migrant Labour in South Lincolnshire" project

Key generic findings from the research provided the basis for awarding the pump priming projects and these fell into the categories of language skills, translation and interpretation; access to information and community cohesion

Eleven projects were agreed to tackle some of the key issues identified.  These fell broadly into three groups: 

Firstly, information projects:
• a website with information for migrant workers, service providers and employers which has been translated into five languages;
• ‘podcasts’ in four languages which can be played from the website covering basic phrases to help with learning English, information and tips
• employer information packs in five languages with fact sheets and templates for employers and workers.

Secondly advocacy projects which helped with providing advocacy and improving the services offered.

And finally training and skills projects to provide people with basic information about living in the UK and a second project that helped migrant workers make  best use of their skills and qualifications. 

Development of migrant worker website

A website was created to provide information and as the main age range for migrant workers is 18-35, a website was considered the most appropriate communication tool.  It also allows potential migrant workers to access information before they arrive in the UK.  In addition to information pages it also has a discussion forum and links to a wide range of other sites.  Since January 2006 there have been over 25,000 visits, averaging just over 40 per day with two thirds of the hits from the UK with the USA, Sweden, Poland and Russia the next greatest users.

Translation of migrant worker website

The website was translated into Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese and Russian.  Translations were completed by local migrant workers and also by Lincolnshire Language Service.

Nacro youth drama project about understanding difference

In order to address community cohesion and possible discrimination, this project performed a play to illustrate these issues, with a theme that “whatever we look like on the outside, we are all the same on the inside”.  The play was  seen by about 2000 children in 2006 and after the performance the audience enjoyed a workshop to help them understand the issues raised. 

Flexible communication tools (podcasts)

This project aimed to overcome the specific communication barriers experienced by migrant workers and their employers in the workplace by developing a series of MP3 audio files.   These three podcasts can be listened to from the migrant workers website either in the host country or when they arrive in the UK.
 
Welcome to South Holland which contains essential information and tips about South Holland. 
Talk the Talk with essential words and phrases tailored for typical workplace situations.
Communicating World Class for managers and supervisors containing basic phrases in community languages, an overview of the history and culture of the country and practical tips on communicating within a multilingual team.

Advocacy for migrant workers (CALL advocacy project)

CALL runs a lottery funded project providing free independent advocacy for migrant workers.  Advocacy was provided for a total of 29 clients, 26 of whom were Polish speakers.  Issues covered were varied and complex and as well as helping the individuals concerned, clients can share some of the information with others in their community

Advising migrant workers on using their qualifications and skills to further their career (Boston College)

Many migrant workers have high level of professional qualifications can be of great benefit to the local economy or services.  The project aim was to conduct face to face consultations with individual migrant workers to assess their skills and qualification and advice them on appropriate routes to priority sectors. 

Triage system to improve access to services (Boston CAB)

The Boston CAB found that an increasing number of migrant worker clients, often with complex problems, was beginning to overwhelm its service and wanted a better way to deliver the service   The purpose of this grant was to purchase a triage software package developed specifically for CAB which would facilitate allocating clients to advisors by managing an appointments system.     Feedback from a client survey showed an overwhelming preference for this appointment system rather than the previous drop-in sessions.  Clients are seen within a week with no more than ten minutes delay in their appointment and feedback from advisors was satisfaction with the new system which means more effective use of time, reduced stress levels and increased efficiency 

Advocacy project South Holland CAB

The increasing number of migrant workers approaching the service often had complex problems.  This project was designed to carry out research and to prepare a funding bid for a migrant worker adviser.  The project had five stages:  to monitor current availability of leaflets and posters; to gather information on migrant worker clients including languages spoken and the nature of their problem; to work with migrant workers in progressing their case testing the new gangmaster legislation on behalf of migrant workers; bring relevant issues to local and national government attention via the CAB’s national policy department.  This project has greatly helped the CAB assess the impact of their work and the report has been widely circulated. 

Induction packs for employers

This project produced an induction pack, in a range of languages, for employers and includes a mixture of fact sheets on a range of employment and workplace issues.  Examples of items covered include understanding a pay slip, information for your first day at work, training sheets for use with equipment and health and safety information.  500 packs were produced and distributed to employers. 

Life Skills Mentoring – workshop sessions

The research report highlighted the fact that many migrant workers need help settling in to the UK.  This project delivered workshops to clients in their native language covering a wide range of issues such as workers rights, how to register with a GP, legal driving requirements, vocational and educational training options and much more to enhance their life skills. 

Cultural event organised by Spalding International, a migrant worker community group

The research report demonstrated that community cohesion was a serious issue that need to be addressed.  The project developed an event aimed to promote community cohesion between migrant workers and local people.  The event was attended by over 1000 people.  The event celebrated diversity and multiculturalism and the entertainment included Flamenco dancing, African drumming, traditional Latvian dancing and modern western dance.    There was the opportunity to sample and buy food from all over the world and information about countries around the world was provided by National Embassies. 

Impact of project

The post project evaluation process were most positive and demonstrated that the outcomes fulfilled all of the original objectives of the programme. 

The information in the research report and on the website was found to be really useful and has led to a greater understanding and awareness of the issues affecting migrant workers.  The research highlighted the importance of these issues and Agencies have used the information in the final report when preparing funding applications.  The Police, for example, have used the information in the report to produce translated posters, leaflets and booklets to provide the factual information the research showed some migrant workers lacked.

The level of networking and of sharing information has been a positive outcome from this project.  The Steering Group for the project, whose membership was drawn from a wide range of organisations, was valued as a mechanism for sharing information about what member’s organisations were doing and to share the findings of the research. 

Service delivery

Following the end of the project, ensuring that the needs of migrant workers were incorporated into mainstream services is a clear internal focus.  An appreciation of the needs of migrant workers forms part of staff induction and the training of frontline staff.  The Council’s internal intranet site has a diversity section which now includes information on migrant workers and staff received briefing notes. 

The advocacy pump priming projects have led to a greater understanding of the issues migrant workers are presenting to Agency partners and the resources needed to address them and the result has been clear  improvement to service delivery.  When Agencies are developing new strategies migrant worker issues are incorporated into the core of the strategy as a fundamental criteria.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded from the website www.migrantworkers.co.uk