Recovery on the Pitch: Street Football as a Means of Social Inclusion

Esther Ogundipe,Tommy Thompson,Bengt Karlsson,Marit Borg,Cathrine Johansen,Tor Knutsen

doi:10.1007/s40737-020-00185-6

Esther Ogundipe, Tommy Thompson + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40737-020-00185-6

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Abstract

The study contributes to the existing literature on the value of street football teams in recovery, by exploring how persons with mental health and/or substance abuse problems experience participation in street football teams. In total,51 persons experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges who played in street football teams, in Norway, participated in focus group interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, and resulted in three major themes: (1) The spirit of the football team, (2) More than just a pitch, and (3) The country’s best follow-up system. Overall, our findings highlighted the importance of community and communal efforts through acts of citizenship, in facilitating and promoting social inclusion for persons in challenging life situations. Street football is one measure than can be helpful in this context. Communities, policy makers and funders need to acknowledge and gain more insight and understanding of the value that street football teams represent. There is also a need for further studies exploring what contributes to community in our highly individualistic society.

Highlights

What matters in recovery is not whether we’re using services or not using services; using medications or not using medications
The concept of social recovery demands for health services, policy makers and practitioners to look beyond the person, and consider issues of social justice and social inclusion [11]
The study showed a variety of ways where street football teams were used as a means to promote social inclusion, community participation and citizenship

Summary

Introduction

What matters in recovery is not whether we’re using services or not using services; using medications or not using medications. The concept of social recovery demands for health services, policy makers and practitioners to look beyond the person, and consider issues of social justice and social inclusion [11]. Another way of understanding social recovery, is by referring to what is essential to us all as human beings; being loved, being with others, loving someone and having fun [24]. Central in social recovery is that the person is first and foremost seen and understood as a citizen, living in the community and being an active agent in his or her life processes as opposed to a victim of a disease [24]

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