A new service to help migrant workers integrate more fully into local communities has been launched.
The Citizens Advice Bureau’s Reaching Communities project will support foreign workers for its five-year lifespan, with more than £250,000 funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
Face-to-face advice and information delivered in native language and aimed at migrant workers from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania will be available five days per week through Citizens Advice Bureau offices in Spalding, Grantham and Stamford.
Fully-trained advisers will also help clients with completion of forms when necessary, as well as undertaking casework where a client’s issues are more complex than just providing “one-off” advice. They will also look to signpost clients to other support services such as English language courses or other specialist services that will assist with integration.
“Local employers can see huge benefits from better integration of their migrant workforce,” said Lisa Barwell, chief officer of South Holland and South Kesteven Citizens Advice service. “Less staff turnover, less sick leave and more productivity are all positive outcomes of better integration and happier workers.
“Our long-term aim is to make migrant workers less dependent on others by encouraging them to learn English and to support the natural integration of second generation families from these Eastern European areas.”
For the last two years, pilot projects have provided face-to-face advice and a telephone helpline service to migrant workers using fully trained Polish advisers. Providing practical, professional and free advice on a wide variety of general and specialist subjects, the three main recurring issues were employment, housing and benefits.
Lisa said: “We now have native speaking generalist advisers available daily for face-to-face and telephone advice across South Lincolnshire.
“We really believe that by meeting our objectives in creating equality of opportunity, eliminating prejudice and discrimination through providing advice, information and support, we can build an integrated community where everyone plays their part to the full which will benefit us all.”
Anyone wishing to access the service can simply call in at their local Citizens Advice Bureau or call the dedicated Migrant Workers helpline on 0844 8476128.
