Working in twelve fieldsites across North London, South London and the East of England, in collaboration with refugee/asylum-seeker and migrant support agencies and wider stakeholders, we have set up Community Forums in each location, in which refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant participants explore service design, provision and accessibility.
From Sept 2024 Community Co-Researchers have been recruited in each field site and trained, by Prof. Vacchelli and Prof. Colucci, in Ethics and Consent in research, Qualitative data collection, Including walking interviews and photovoice and Thematic analysis of qualitative data. Following completion of the training our co-researchers were paired with participants, who attended the first community forum, and then conducted individual walking interviews with these participants to understand their lived experience. These interviews have given a great insight in the daily lives and experiences of participants and photovoice used to reflect feelings from key assets; related to our themes of accommodation, food and access to services. These interviews have also developed our Community Co-Researchers’ research and communication skills, some have gone on to report their experience to stakeholders. We continue to enjoy their active involvement in fieldsites, contributing to the data collection community forum and providing a valuable additional member of the research team.
Some of the feedback below from the Community Co-Researcher shines light on their experiences in the project:
“It was a greatly rewarding experience for me to meet the lead researchers during the training and learn new interviewing skills which I then applied in practice. It was interesting to get to know local residents and their life challenges. People I interviewed were very open and shared not only information I was asking for,but also personal cultural differences and traditions . This was truly fascinating for me! I am very happy to be part of this research!”
“Initially I felt a bit unsure of myself, especially with the participant’s visual discomfort. However, as the conversation progressed the situation improved, and we were able to establish a more relaxed environment. I found it deep and meaningful to listen to the story of the refugee and feel the sense of connection through shared struggles. This interview was a revelation for me… it underscored the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for them to share their experiences.”
“Overall, the interview with the immigrant participant was a profoundly enriching experience. It emphasized the need of actively listening and empathizing with human stories. The conversations highlighted how crucial support networks and communities are to getting beyond obstacles. It’s a powerful step toward building empathy and making a real difference in our communities.”
“Hearing the story of the participant was truly inspiring. This conversation was a reminder of how important it is to create welcoming spaces for people starting over. With the right support, people can thrive and build a hopeful future.””Through the walking interviews, it became clear that migrants navigate complex challenges while seeking stability—whether in housing, healthcare, or community spaces. The personal stories we gathered highlighted resilience, but also the gaps in support systems that persist. As a peer researcher, I saw firsthand how crucial it is to amplify these voices, ensuring that lived experiences inform policy and community initiatives rather than being overlooked.”
“As a community co researcher, my lived experience built vital trust. Walking with participants and using photo voice revealed how community assets serve as lifelines for refugees’ physical and mental well-being, as well as sense of belonging. This shared perspective and visual storytelling unlocked profound insights that traditional methods might miss. It highlighted the crucial role these often-overlooked places play in refugee resilience”
