Start with the person's plan and target the appropriate peer carers
Different opinions were expressed: not to choose a « blocked » sector (despite the desires of the people), not promising on the territory, or not to prevent oneself from doing it as long as it is the person’s project? It is this last recommendation that emerged in most of the discussions.
Broaden the profiles of the participating peer helpers (fixed-term, permanent, seasonal, boss) and all the professions in a sector (better targeting of people according to the refugees’ projects).
Clarify roles
Be clear with the definition of the peer helper role to explain it to the candidate and validate its membership.
Clearly define the role of the peer helper and what is expected of him/her so that he/she has all the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the task. information from the beginning of the project.
The performers are present and committed to the end.
Improving project management and formalisation
Establish and disseminate a timetable with the actions of the actors in order to ensure the presence of a maximum number of people.
Formalise the participation of stakeholders in the project.
Create a specification at the beginning of the project to have a basis for working with the different actors.
Develop a list of peer helpers to save time in establishing this type of project.
Do not get locked into the specifications and give yourself enough leeway to adapt them and make them evolve.
Taking better account of language difficulties
Do not limit participation to those with a poor command of the French language and do not underestimate the preparatory work inherent in low levels of French (translated tools, appropriation of the project by the refugees)
Anticipate the participation of interpreters even outside of group sessions, create translated materials.
Keep the idea of multiple levels in group sessions but separate by levels during the working groups on its professional project:
newcomers who can enter directly into training with a satisfactory level of project and French;
newcomers who cannot yet enter a course or training programme because their level of French is too low
Ensure communication throughout the project
Maintain the link in terms of coordination with all the actors and communicate on the progress of the project. Maintain the same level of information for everyone at the same time.
Ensure good communication, via different media, throughout the duration. Adapt the media to the audience, to enable them to put the whole project into perspective.
Produce a presentation sheet of the actors (newcomer refugee and peer helper)
Conduct a satisfaction survey at the end of the project and communicate the results
Better include participants throughout the process
Include peer carers as early as possible and at all stages (during follow-up interviews) and co-construct with them.
Address the ability to revisit one’s career path, to show adaptability, to question the meaning that this has for them.
Ensure the participation/adherence of all stakeholders over the duration of the project.
Make room for the ideas of peer helpers and the reflections of first-time refugees.
Building confidence in refugees to help them dare to speak out (including facilitation techniques that encourage participation).
List the skills needed for the role of peer carer with the peer carers.
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Consider shifting working hours outside office hours to facilitate the participation of volunteer peer helpers.
More time for refugee/peer carer/IPC/partner meetings, but especially more refugee/peer carer time, including for example immersion in a facility to share daily life.
Opening up to the network of peer helpers and newcomers.
Increasing and maintaining refugee-peer carer links
