Experience Based Co-Design in Developing a Peer Support Model for Refugees.
As a consequence of the increasing scale of prolonged conflicts and disasters, the global number of displaced people has risen sharply. In the UK refugees are significantly marginalised; they suffer from a range of adverse health outcomes and experience higher rates of mental distress when compared with majority groups. Emerging research suggests that peer support models may provide an effective way to support refugees, and co-designed interventions work best.
The Routes to Wellness Study used Experience Based Co-Design (EBCD) to create a peer support model for refugees. In Plymouth and Gloucester, 11 interviews with refugees and 4 focus groups with refugees and service providers were conducted. The data were thematically analysed to identify touch point. EBCD was implemented to develop a manual, training, and support tools using our synthesised narrative qualitative touch point data.
The EBCD series of 8 workshops with refugees, researchers, and service providers identified that a peer support worker should: i) be an active listener who connects people with social groups and services, manages boundaries and solves problems; ii) they should communicate face-to-face with refugees; iii) be provided with ongoing support, supervision and mentoring; iv) have some training prior to, and more training after recruitment; v) be embedded in communities and work alongside services; vi) be equipped with an app that allows them to record details of support provided and gives easy access to information for signposting. To evaluate the peer support work, face-to-face conversations with refugees that receive support were preferred and regular follow-ups with peer support workers recommended.
To facilitate an effective and meaningfull co-design process when working with refugees, trust must be built up, a common language between the various actors must be developed, and creative resources must be available to navigate the complex settings of concepts, diversity, and strcutureal issues.
The Routes to Wellness Study used Experience Based Co-Design (EBCD) to create a peer support model for refugees. In Plymouth and Gloucester, 11 interviews with refugees and 4 focus groups with refugees and service providers were conducted. The data were thematically analysed to identify touch point. EBCD was implemented to develop a manual, training, and support tools using our synthesised narrative qualitative touch point data.
The EBCD series of 8 workshops with refugees, researchers, and service providers identified that a peer support worker should: i) be an active listener who connects people with social groups and services, manages boundaries and solves problems; ii) they should communicate face-to-face with refugees; iii) be provided with ongoing support, supervision and mentoring; iv) have some training prior to, and more training after recruitment; v) be embedded in communities and work alongside services; vi) be equipped with an app that allows them to record details of support provided and gives easy access to information for signposting. To evaluate the peer support work, face-to-face conversations with refugees that receive support were preferred and regular follow-ups with peer support workers recommended.
To facilitate an effective and meaningfull co-design process when working with refugees, trust must be built up, a common language between the various actors must be developed, and creative resources must be available to navigate the complex settings of concepts, diversity, and strcutureal issues.