Reference: CareandHealth MAGAZINE, May 10- May 16, 30.
This article summarises a research project carried out by the charity Off the Streets and into Work. The aim was to find out about homeless people's experiences of trying to find and sustain a job while being homeless.
Homeless people were involved as peer interviewers which increased the depth and richness of the information obtained in the interviews. Some of the interviewees also felt that the peer researchers were role models, inspring them to get more involved in shaping homelessness services.
The peer researchers also provided important input into the methodology and development of the questions used in interviews, surveys and focus groups. They weeded out questions that would not work and replaced them with ones that would.
The individuals involved gained personally from the project through gaining work experience, channelling their negative experiences into a positive and constructive process and feeling they had made a contribution to a significant and influential piece of research.