Forced to Flee
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Forced to flee: co-designing a peer-led community approach to support mental health of refugees
IRAS ID
313046
Contact name
Helen Lloyd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Plymouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND: We use the term ‘refugee’ to include people seeking asylum and those with leave to remain. We use the term ‘model’ because the community partners in this study prefer this word over ‘intervention’.
Forced migration is traumatic and mental distress can manifest as a physical health problem, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Peer-based approaches can provide culturally relevant support to refugees in the community. In this study we will use Experience-Based Co-Design to develop and evaluate a peer-support model for refugees with mental health needs.
DESIGN AND METHODS: In Experience-Based Co-Design, people’s stories of using services and trying to access help are analysed to identify emotional ‘touch-points’. ‘Touch-points’ are experiences that bring up positive or negative emotions.
In this study, researchers will first interview refugees and service staff and observe interactions between third sector and health professionals and refugees in Plymouth and Gloucester. The interviews and observations will then be analysed to identify emotional touch-points. Second, the findings will be discussed in a series of workshops with refugees and service staff, to design a peer-support training package and model for providing peer-support. Third, people with refugee background will be trained to work as peer-support workers in Plymouth and Gloucester. Finally, we will evaluate the peer-support model through observations and interviews with peer-support workers and refugees they have met with. Data collected will be analysed and used to refine the model further.ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT: Refugees and service providers are co-applicants and will be members of our local reference group, steering committee and public involvement group. Two peer-researchers will be appointed to the research team. Community events will be held regularly to share how the study is progressing and to enable ongoing communication between all people who has a stake in this research.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
22/IEC08/0038
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion