Exploring the housing needs of migrant workers in Harlow and Broxbourne : Executive summary

It was recognised that, since 2004, a large number of Central and Eastern European migrants had moved into Harlow and Broxbourne. To meet the challenge of providing responsive services, the overall aim of this study was to enhance intelligence in relation to CEE migrant communities, focusing specifically on housing needs and experiences. The study was commissioned by Harlow District and Broxbourne Borough Councils in January 2010 through the Migration Impacts Fund. The study was conducted by Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford. The study was greatly aided by research support from a number of community interviewers. The project was managed by a steering group composed of officers representing Harlow District and Broxbourne Borough Council. The study involved a survey of 370 CEE migrants and consultation with 7 key stakeholders and service providers

Exploring the housing needs of migrant workers in Harlow and Broxbourne : Final report

This report presents the findings of a study looking at the housing needs and experiences of Central and Eastern European (CEE) migrants living and working in Harlow and Broxbourne. The research was commissioned by Harlow District and Broxbourne Borough Councils in January 2010 through the Migration Impacts Fund. This funding was created by money collected from migrant communities (for example through visas) and allocated to all regions of England for projects which focus on understanding and managing the impacts of migration at a local level. The study was conducted by Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford. The study was greatly aided by research support from a number of community interviewers. The project was managed by a steering group composed of officers representing Harlow District and Broxbourne Borough Council

Central and Eastern European migrants in Tameside : Final report

This report presents the findings of a study looking at the experiences of Central and Eastern migrants living and working in Tameside. It was recognised that, since 2004, a large number of Central and Eastern European migrants had moved into Tameside. To meet the challenge of providing responsive services to new communities, the aim of this study was to enhance intelligence in relation to CEE migrant communities, focusing on some of the key issues facing these communities in Tameside, as well as providing an understanding of the impact of migration on key public services. The structure of the report is as follows: in Section I background to the study is provided; in Section II findings from consultation with CEE migrants and key stakeholders are presented

Central and Eastern European migrants in Tameside : Executive summary

It was recognised that, since 2004, a large number of Central and Eastern European migrants had moved into Tameside. To meet the challenge of providing responsive services to new communities, the aim of this study was to enhance intelligence in relation to CEE migrant communities, focusing on some of the key issues facing these communities in Tameside, as well as providing an understanding of the impact of migration on key public services. The study was commissioned by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council in February 2010 through the Migration Impacts Fund

Central and Eastern European migrant communities in Salford and Bury : Final report

The arrival of Central and Eastern European migrant communities into Salford and Bury has placed extra demand on public services as well as changing the demographic make–up of communities. While there is general awareness on the part of public services of significant in-migration, often into deprived urban locations, and statistical evidence of such migration from governmental recording schemes, there is limited data on the specific areas of residence and the breakdown by age, gender and household type of these new arrivals. There is also a lack of awareness of their particular needs with regard to core areas of public service delivery (health, education, community safety, etc.) and how services can adequately respond to meet these. Finally, there is a knowledge gap in relation to the people’s future intentions. In order to provide an initial baseline of knowledge in these areas a study brief was developed to enhance intelligence in relation to the Czech, Polish and Slovak communities in both local authority areas. This study was also intended to inform community cohesion and integration actions, as well as the priorities for local neighbourhood level work. The research was commissioned by Salford City Council and Bury Metropolitan Borough Council in October 2009 and was conducted by Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford. The study was greatly aided by research support from a number of community interviewers. The project was managed by a steering group composed of officers representing Salford City Council and Bury Metropolitan Borough Council. The study was undertaken by conducting: consultation with 26 key stakeholders and service providers in Salford and Bury; and a total of 200 interviews with migrants from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia

Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention

This is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.Background Parent carers of disabled children report poor physical health and mental wellbeing. They experience high levels of stress and barriers to engagement in health-related behaviours and with ‘standard’ preventive programmes (e.g. weight loss programmes). Interventions promoting strategies to improve health and wellbeing of parent carers are needed, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Methods We developed a group-based health promotion intervention for parent carers by following six steps of the established Intervention Mapping approach. Parent carers co-created the intervention programme and were involved in all stages of the development and testing. We conducted a study of the intervention with a group of parent carers to examine the feasibility and acceptability. Standardised questionnaires were used to assess health and wellbeing pre and post-intervention and at 2 month follow up. Participants provided feedback after each session and took part in a focus group after the end of the programme. Results The group-based Healthy Parent Carers programme was developed to improve health and wellbeing through engagement with eight achievable behaviours (CLANGERS – Connect, Learn, be Active, take Notice, Give, Eat well, Relax, Sleep), and by promoting empowerment and resilience. The manualised intervention was delivered by two peer facilitators to a group of seven parent carers. Feedback from participants and facilitators was strongly positive. The study was not powered or designed to test effectiveness but changes in measures of participants’ wellbeing and depression were in a positive direction both at the end of the intervention and 2 months later which suggest that there may be a potential to achieve benefit. Conclusions The Healthy Parent Carers programme appears feasible and acceptable. It was valued by, and was perceived to have benefited participants. The results will underpin future refinement of the intervention and plans for evaluation.We acknowledge funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care of the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) and the charity Cerebra. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health and Social Care, or Cerebra

Community mapping and research into community cohesion tensions : Final report for Swansea Community Cohesion Steering Group

This report presents the findings of community mapping and research into community cohesion tensions in the City and County of Swansea (CCS). The research was commissioned by Swansea Community Cohesion Steering Group in October 2011. The primary aims of this research were to: provide an understanding of community cohesion work currently in existence in Swansea; explore the makeup of the communities in Swansea, reflecting demographics, social and cultural factors; identify key issues and areas of community tensions; and identify practical strategies for improving community cohesion in Swansea. The methodological approach adopted for the study had three phases. The first phase involved undertaking a scoping exercise to identify existing community cohesion work across the city via a pro forma which was sent out to a wide range of agencies working with local communities. The second phase involved the collation and review of existing data relating to different communities living in Swansea. The final phase involved collection of qualitative intelligence through consultation with key stakeholders and community members

Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation assessment : Maidstone : Final report

In September 2011 Maidstone Borough Council commissioned the Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford to produce a Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment for the borough. The primary purpose of this report is to provide an evidence base to inform the future development of planning policies through the Local Development Framework. This report presents the projection of requirements for the following periods: 2011 – 2016; 2016 – 2021; 2021 – 2026. The assessment was undertaken by conducting a review of the following data sources: previous assessments of need and information submitted through the previous regional planning process; the policy and guidance context; the bi-annual Caravan Count; information from the local authority with regards to pitch provision and supply; information from key stakeholders; a survey of 115 Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople households currently residing in Maidstone borough