The task 

In 2022, Migrant Help had some funds available to enhance the living experience of clients living in Napier Barracks and we wanted their input on how best to use the funds.  

The task of the project was to work in equal partnership with a group of clients to design and carry out research to get the wider input of other residents on site. The clients thought the best way to do this easily and fairly was by designing a questionnaire and asking residents at the site to vote on recreational activities that were most important to them. 

The outcomes 

As a result of the project, Migrant Help purchased the following items to better meet residents’ needs: 

• Board games 

• Replacement of table tennis and pool table  

• A wheelbarrow to deliver baggage between blocks 

• A variety of British Movies and DVDs 

• A music system  

Another big need that came up was for computer stations. Our digital inclusion coordinator is looking into solutions to enable residents to have access to the internet. Residents also wanted a more specific induction from Migrant Help and a clearer way to provide feedback on our services. Subsequently the AIRE Napier team are in discussions with the accommodation provider on how this might work. 

There was additional feedback that came out of the research that the clients raised with the AIRE Napier team. The feedback was received with great enthusiasm, and all were impressed by the clients’ involvement and engagement throughout. This has resulted in the following suggestions being passed on to the accommodation provider, as they were outside Migrant Help’s remit: 

• Renovation of the Volleyball court 

• Need for proper rooms/security cameras 

• Replacement of gym equipment 

• Access to a communal oven to heat up food out of hours/food they may have purchased off site 

• The use of professional interpreters during induction briefings and to elicit feedback from a wider group of residents 

Key takeaways 

We did an evaluation of the project with staff and clients who were involved, and below were the key takeaways that we will use to improve future co-production projects. 

Participants felt that it was challenging to feedback all the points to the accommodation provider in a meaningful way. We felt it would have been better if we invited the provider into the project to hear the direct feedback from clients, which may have supported a case for change more strongly. 

Generally, all participants enjoyed working together and sharing ideas. They learned important skills such as patience and valuing client voice. Participants also enjoyed finding creative solutions to problems and found it interesting that things we think are working well, such as residents giving feedback on our services, are not working for everyone and needs to be looked at in more detail. 

Quote from clients involved in co-production

‘’It was an amazing opportunity to work with Migrant Help staff. I learnt more about Migrant Help and the good work they do. The best part was when we consulted Napier residence about they thoughts/ideas about how to improve life in Napier. They felt really good. They felt listened to’’ 

‘’Being part of Napier co-production project enabled us to work together (Migrant Help and residence) to make life better for all the residence who will be sent to Napier. This project was not just for us but for all other residences we do not know. When they come to Napier they find it better. This makes me happy.’’ 

Quote from staff involved in co-production

‘’Having the co-production project on site has allowed the residents of Napier to have a say and input into what they would like to happen on site. I could see that the residents felt valued in a way that they might not have felt while being in the UK. 

“A lot of the residence have a high level of education and in the past have been employed as doctors, dentists, journalist, chefs, hairdressers etc. and some do feel like they aren’t able to use their skills when they come to the UK as they hoped, and this can be frustrating. But during the co-production project their education and experiences had been appreciated and admired." 

‘’It was a pleasure to be involved in the co-production project at Napier. I loved the enthusiasm and commitment to engagement from our clients towards the project, especially considering they may not see the direct benefit since they may be moved before any changes are implemented. To empower our clients in a way which really listened and allowed them to drive the direction of the project was key and worked really positively. For me, it encapsulated why we do the job we do and I can’t wait to see it develop further through other projects and the Asylum LEAP. ‘’ 

‘’It has been a great opportunity to see residents get involved with a project and lead on bringing about a variety of positive changes for their fellow residents to benefit from. It has definitely reaffirmed that given the right platform, our clients can achieve great success. Their hard work in gathering information, taking part in meetings and presenting their ideas has been inspirational.‘’