TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring potential for occupational therapy practice models within areas of social deprivation
T2 - a qualitative inquiry within a community-centred food cooperative
AU - Adams, Richard
AU - Atkin, Helen
AU - Lee, Richard
AU - Hackett, Simon
AU - Hackett, Katie
PY - 2022/10/1
Y1 - 2022/10/1
N2 - Background A health inequalities gap exists between wealthy and deprived areas. Community-level occupation-focused interventions may support citizens and address inequities within their environments. Since the global financial crash of 2008 and fiscal policy changes within the United Kingdom, there has been a rise in food insecurity. Community volunteer initiatives have responded by providing for their residents. The aim of this study was to explore how occupational therapists may be agents for social change through exploring perspectives of members and volunteers from a community food cooperative in an area of social deprivation. Methods Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with cooperative members and volunteers within a food cooperative established to address food insecurity in a local community. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results We found three main themes: It’s Not a Foodbank, Shared Hardship and a cross-cutting theme of Community. The results suggest occupation-focused responses can support the development of community and collective occupations thereby contributing solutions to shared problems. Conclusion A community-centred, rights-based approach has supported local community need where socio-economic disadvantage and health inequalities were identified. Scope exists for occupational therapists to work genuinely with (not for) communities to address occupational injustice through collective occupation.
AB - Background A health inequalities gap exists between wealthy and deprived areas. Community-level occupation-focused interventions may support citizens and address inequities within their environments. Since the global financial crash of 2008 and fiscal policy changes within the United Kingdom, there has been a rise in food insecurity. Community volunteer initiatives have responded by providing for their residents. The aim of this study was to explore how occupational therapists may be agents for social change through exploring perspectives of members and volunteers from a community food cooperative in an area of social deprivation. Methods Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with cooperative members and volunteers within a food cooperative established to address food insecurity in a local community. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results We found three main themes: It’s Not a Foodbank, Shared Hardship and a cross-cutting theme of Community. The results suggest occupation-focused responses can support the development of community and collective occupations thereby contributing solutions to shared problems. Conclusion A community-centred, rights-based approach has supported local community need where socio-economic disadvantage and health inequalities were identified. Scope exists for occupational therapists to work genuinely with (not for) communities to address occupational injustice through collective occupation.
KW - Collective occupation
KW - foodbanks
KW - health inequalities
KW - occupational injustice
KW - qualitative
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130450737&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/03080226221092689
DO - 10.1177/03080226221092689
M3 - Article
SN - 0308-0226
VL - 85
SP - 828
EP - 836
JO - British Journal of Occupational Therapy
JF - British Journal of Occupational Therapy
IS - 10
ER -