Parasol is a new research initiative that is investigating the challenges facing young European nationals in Greater Manchester who are aged 13 -25 years and are at risk of serious exploitation, discrimination or abuse.
There are 3 main areas for the research:
1. Domestic Abuse and Violence
2. Labour Exploitation and Discrimination (including Gang-Masters)
3. Impact of Criminal and other exploitative networks - including trafficking and modern slavery, drugs and sex trades
The research has been commissioned by Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioners Office (GMPCC) under its Youth Aspirations Fund. GMPCC has recognised the increasing impact of European migration in local communities in recent years and has requested that a skilled team of community researchers analyse these challenges in depth.
As well as gathering evidence and making recommendations to the GMPCC and local policy-makers, it is also hoped that Parasol can become a viable community project which can fill some of the gaps in existing service provision. The research therefore has a very practical side to it. It is expected to generate some innovative solutions and a team able to convince local practitioners that they can put them into practice in co-operation with other front-line agencies.
Parasol is administered by Manchester BME Network and will run for 6 months. The Manchester BME Network will be interviewing individual migrants as well as holding a series of Focus Groups with host partner organisations to listen to their experiences during this period.
The final Parasol Report will be published at a public event for all stakeholders which will be held in Spring 2016. At this stage, it will be announced whether Parasol will be extended and become a sustainable organisation with a specific role in tackling these challenges in the future.
The research is led by an experienced Polish researcher, Dr Ewa Duda-Mikulin, who is a Lecturer in Social Policy at the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences at the University of Salford. Dr Ewa Duda-Mikulin is assisted by Tom Griffiths, a Community Development Worker, and a small team of Community Researchers from a variety of European nationalities and social backgrounds.
For further information about Parasol or if you have any relevant information to share, email: [email protected].