Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) at the University of Salford have been commissioned by Rochdale and Oldham Metropolitan Council's to undertake a study of migrant workers living and working in the two Boroughs. The purpose of the research is to give the local authorities and other key stakeholders an understanding of the needs and experiences of migrant worker communities from the A10 countries. The key aims of the study are:

to establish the extent and level of migration into the Boroughs;

to understand the settlement patterns of these communities in Rochdale and Oldham (including where families are joining workers);

to explore the motivations for choosing Oldham and Rochdale as locations to settle; to assess the skills levels and expertise of new communities, including entrepreneurship and self employment, and identify what support is needed to foster these skills now and in the future;

to consider the impact on the indigenous population, in terms of access to employment and services and the impact on community cohesion;

to investigate the future aspirations of migrant communities; and, to evaluate the housing and support needs and of this community now and in the future.

We are carrying out interviews with migrant workers living and working in Rochdale and Oldham, as well as speaking to service providers and other key stakeholders about the work they do. We are also keen to identify any A10 nationals who would be interested in being trained as Community Interviewers for the project. The training we offer is a one-day accredited programme and once completed people receive a certificate of attendance from the University and are paid for every interview they complete.

If anyone is able to offer any information, advice or assistance with this project, of if anyone knows people who may be interested in our Community Interviewer training, please contact: Dr Lisa Hunt

Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU)

School of Environment & Life Sciences

The University of Salford

Salford, Greater Manchester

M5 4WT, UK

Tel: + 44 (0)161 295 5078

Mob: 07787 920 941

Email: l.hunt@salford.ac.uk

http://www.els.salford.ac.uk/shusu/index.php