VPRS Lived Experience Advisory Panel Case study – January 2022

What information did you receive before joining the panel?

Before joining I received some practical information including that the panel will have six members who have benefited from resettlement. I was told that there will be opportunities to talk about my personal experiences in my country of origin, the country of displacement, the country of resettlement and the assistance I have received from Migrant Help. I was made aware that there are no conditions for accepting this membership and joining was completely my choice. The manager told me that members will have the opportunity to speak after the meeting if desired to make sure we felt supported. This process was useful as I felt like I was able to speak freely and give my opinions.

What motivated you to join the meetings?

I joined this meeting to give back a little bit of the kindness shown to me and my family by Migrant Help. The panel gives me the opportunity to provide a small service to the country that has helped me settle and find safety. I was also interested to learn more about Migrant Help and gain experience of how organisations are run in this country, so I can develop myself with this knowledge.

What have the meetings covered?

At the first meeting we discussed the meeting etiquette and new members were asked to set the rules together. This included things like speaking in turn, confidentiality, secrecy and no photography. I appreciated that there were good processes in place which meant everyone was equal and had value in the panel.

During the induction, I learnt about matters related to the organisation, its components, reasons for its existence, its history, past and present, and its aspirations. We also discussed improving services by thinking about imaginary characters and their story before and after travelling to the UK. This helped me feel safe without worrying that people would know about my own experiences.

What has your experience been like?

I think the experience has been good because I learned things about Migrant Help that I would not have known otherwise. I’ve gained skills in decision-making, and this skill will help me make good decisions by involving other people. I also gained the ability to look at a topic from more than one side and the importance of listening to everyone’s opinion and accepting their points of view. I’ve enjoyed getting to know new people, exploring their way of thinking about life and benefiting from their experience.

I aspire to be an active member of this panel and hope to continue presenting my best ideas and experience, as far as possible. I hope to offer something that will benefit anyone in the future that comes to this country seeking safety. I am looking forward to working more closely with Migrant Help staff and hear their opinion, which will also help improve services. I hope to get enough experience to manage my family's affairs myself without breaking the law.