Community Work Programme Research Articles

Community work programmes as job creation mechanism: A case of Tshwane Metropolitan municipality

Background: To address poverty and unemployment, local government implemented programmes, such as the Community Work Programme (CWP), aimed at empowering the community through the provision of employment and skills to provide a safety net to the poor by allowing them to earn a monthly wage.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the CWP’s contribution towards employment or job creation within Region 1 of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality community, specifically in Erasmus and Soshanguve.Setting: A CWP was started 11 years ago in the City of Tshwane, in Region 1 – Erasmus and Soshanguve. It provides wages to 2000 people.Method: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire with a face-to-face interview of 219 respondents.Results: The results reveal that the CWP is contributing financially to the well-being of the participants, but the latter tend to stay with the CWP and do not progress to permanent employment. Although some participants intend to start their own business, it seems they lack the skills.Conclusion: Although participants benefited financially and socially, it seems that limited skills were acquired, particular entrepreneurial skills relevant to starting an own business venture. It is recommended that the data be further analysed with regard to the level of satisfaction and skills capacity development by the CWP.

The Implementation of AIDS Care Community (ACC) Work Program as an Efforts for Handling HIV / AIDS Cases in Poncol Community Health Center Work Area

Introduction: Semarang City has the highest number of HIV / AIDS cases in Central Java. Several attempts to control HIV / AIDS cases, such as the organization for AIDS that is named after AIDS Care Community (ACC) in every village scope. The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of the ACC program in Poncol Community Health Center.Methods: This is a descriptive research, uses qualitative methods using in-depth interview for data collection techniques. There are 9 informants who are selected by using purposive sampling method. Data is analyzed using descriptive method. The process of data analysis begins with collecting data, and then reducing the data that has been generated. After that, the data are presented and concluded.Results: The results show that the implementation of ACC program in the work area of Poncol Community Health Center is assisted by Poncol Puskesmas. There is 1 ACC out of 9 ACC that is actively implementing the ACC program while the others are not running well. It is found that low capacity of ACC members, lack of funds, low of support from the local government (village), low community support, inadequate facilities and infrastructure that affect the implementation of ACC programs. Therefore, the output is not achieved optimally.Conclusions: The implementation of the of the ACC program in Poncol Community Health Center work area has not been running optimally. Support from all parties is needed, including from the members of the ACC, local government, AIDS commission, and the community in order to achieve the ACC goals.

Educating Informal Educators on Issues of Race and Inequality: Raising Critical Consciousness, Identifying Challenges, and Implementing Change in a Youth and Community Work Programme

The debate regarding institutional racism and White privilege within higher education (HE) remains prevalent, and higher education institutions (HEIs) are not exempt from the racial equality debate. Youth and Community Work is underpinned by anti-oppressive practice, highlighting a need to educate informal educators on the structural underpinnings of Race and inequlaity, so that they can be challenged in practice to bring about social change. For Youth and Community Workers, this is primarily done through informal education and critical pedagogy. The research aimed to unearth race inequality within the Youth and Community Work programme at Wrexham Glyndŵr University (WGU). Critical reflection methodology was used to deconstruct departmental processes of recruitment, learning and assessment, student voice, and support. Research data was analysed using thematic analysis, determining three themes: critical consciousness, challenge, and change. These are discussed within the framework of Critical Race Theory and critical pedagogy. The research concludes that oppression, and therefore inequality, occurs in the Youth and Community Work programme. Further reading of issues reported in HEIs across the United Kingdom shows that more analysis and deconstruction is needed through CRT. Educating informal educators on issues of race and inequality to raise critical consciousness is one way this can be achieved.

Community health workers in rural Punjab, India: analyzing their role, expectations and challenges

PurposeThis study aimed to analyze the role of community health workers (CHWs) called accredited social health activists (ASHAs) in improving maternal health outcomes in the rural community of Punjab, India. The study also examined the expectations of these workers from the community and identified the problems faced by them in carrying out their roles.Design/methodology/approachUsing multistage sampling, a total of 28 villages were selected from seven districts of Punjab, and from these selected villages, a total of 57 ASHAs working as the interface between the rural community and the public health system and 420 women who had delivered a baby were interviewed.FindingsDesire to earn money was the most prominent reason for joining the community work program, but ASHAs felt overburdened and underpaid compared to their work commitments. Not only was the incentive paid to these workers was insufficient and irregular but they also suffered at the hands of medical staff at public hospitals.Originality/valueWhile exploring the problems experienced by the CHWs, this study recommends opting for a mix of monetary and nonmonetary incentives for acknowledging the work of CHWs. The study is the first of its kind for the state of Punjab battling with a worsening maternal mortality rate (MMR).

Exploring the lived experiences of people on Community Correction Orders in Victoria, Australia: Is the opportunity for rehabilitation being realised?

The Community Correction Order, introduced in Victoria, Australia in 2012, provides a sentencing option that enables eligible offenders to serve their sanction in the community, with access to treatment or other rehabilitative activities. This paper contributes to a scant body of research investigating the specific needs of this group, their barriers to inclusion and the extent to which they experience the rehabilitative aspects of Community Correction Orders. It draws on survey data collected from 200 adults (137 men and 63 women) on Community Correction Orders in outer west metropolitan Melbourne and qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with a sub-set of 20 participants. Long-term unemployment, severe economic hardship, physical and mental health issues, social isolation and troubled personal relationships were common. While participants experienced the punitive aspects of Community Correction Orders, there was limited evidence that they were supported to address key issues that may be predictive of future offending. Support to re/engage in education, training and employment was a key area of unmet need and engagement in other therapeutic programs was low. Opportunities to enhance the rehabilitative potential of Community Correction Orders are discussed, with the paper highlighting that there is a need for rigorous evaluation of community work program activities.

Aroha, Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga: Social work educators’ reflections on the Covid-19 lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic which, as at the time of writing, is ongoing throughout the world, has far-reaching implications for the practice of social work. As Aotearoa New Zealand steadily moves towards declaring itself “Covid-free,” it is important to reflect upon and capture the complexities, challenges, and dynamics experienced during the lockdown. As the pandemic continues to expand, front-line experiences can serve to inform decision making and reflection on the future development of the social work profession in a post-Covid world. This article will discuss the experiences of three social work educators at the University of Otago’s Social and Community Work Programme. Each contributor will relate their pandemic teaching and learning experience by aligning it with a Value and Ethical Principle of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Work Code of Ethics (ANZASW, 2019). Each contributor felt that it was important to capture their experiences during this defining moment in our history and to consider how the nature of relationships may have changed, how boundaries shifted and learning has ensued as we have journeyed through a shared traumatic experience together. “He waka eke noa” (we are all in this together)

Teknologi Tepat Guna, Upaya Meningkatkan Tingkat Perekonomian Masyarakat Desa Bale

The aim of the Community Service Program Community Work and Community Empowerment Study Program (KKN-PPM) is to provide counseling to residents of Bale Kambang Village, Mancak District, Serang Regency. The problem faced in Bale Kambang Village is about rubbish, rubbish produced from households and plants around the house, ie the community does not know about processing to compost using the Takakura method so that it can ultimately increase community productivity and well-being that has value selling. The methods of implementing this service are (1) survey through initial observation, problem analysis, interviews, and documentation. (2) Counseling for composting using the Takakura method. This community service program is expected to provide additional knowledge to the community and to provide added value about composting using the Takakura method which is very simple and can have selling points to increase the welfare of the community, so that Bale Kambang Village in Mancak District can be made into a clean village and its people are clean. skilled and have high productivity.

Pemanfaatan Sampah Bernilai Ekonomis, Penyuluhan Pemanfaatan Sampah Menjadi Kompos Dengan Metode Takakura Di Desa Bale Kambang Kecamatan Mancak Kabupaten Serang

The aim of the Community Service Program Community Work and Community Empowerment Study Program (KKN-PPM) is to provide counseling to residents of Bale Kambang Village, Mancak District, Serang Regency. The problem faced in Bale Kambang Village is about rubbish, rubbish produced from households and plants around the house, ie the community does not know about processing to compost using the Takakura method so that it can ultimately increase community productivity and well-being that has value selling. The methods of implementing this service are (1) survey through initial observation, problem analysis, interviews, and documentation. (2) Counseling for composting using the Takakura method. This community service program is expected to provide additional knowledge to the community and to provide added value about composting using the Takakura method which is very simple and can have selling points to increase the welfare of the community, so that Bale Kambang Village in Mancak District can be made into a clean village and its people are clean. skilled and have high productivity.

Pembuatan lilin aroma terapi menggunakan sarang lebah dan ekstrak lemon di Kelurahan Sungai Pagar Kecamatan Kampar Kiri Kabupaten Kampar

Village development is one of the national development interests in which universities contribute to the implementation of the Community Work Program (KUKERTA) in the form of Community Service in a designated area. Kampar is one of the areas that has the biggest honey sialang potential in Riau Province, one of which is Sungai Pagar sub-district, Kampar Kiri Hilir sub-district. Honey honeycomb processing that is not processed optimally can provide the latest innovation, namely the making of aromatherapy candles by using honeycomb and lemon extract. This dedication activity aims to provide new knowledge expertise to the community of Sungai Pagar sub-district as one form of efforts in increasing national development. A series of activities include counseling or outreach, training in aromatherapy candle making, packaging and marketing. This activity gave a positive response from the Sungai Pagar community by forming a collaboration between the KUKERTA Community Service Team and Imbo Kaluang UKM. The outputs generated from these community service activities are aromatherapy candle products, Appropriate Technology Book (TPG), mass media publications (print and online) and journal publications.

South Africa’s Community Work Programme: Local Peacebuilding Innovation Within a National Developmental Architecture

This article examines South Africa’s Community Work Programme (CWP) as a case study of an attempt to address two key dilemmas facing peacebuilding theory and practise: (a) balancing the need to address immediate and long-term causes of conflict and violence and (b) balancing the need for a large-scale systematic approach whilst creating space for local ownership and agency. Drawing on in-depth case studies of six CWP community interventions, it demonstrates how this national public employment sector programme has been shaped into a vehicle for peacebuilding by local actors. Whilst these initiatives still face resistance to local ownership and innovation, they demonstrate how local agency can integrate national developmental priorities with local safety and security priorities.

South Africa’s Community Work Programme as Social Entrepreneurship: A Sociological Perspective

ABSTRACTThe study of social entrepreneurship is gaining momentum in academia, in research institutions as well as in practice; however, there is a lack of sociological analysis of social entrepreneurship. This article argues that social entrepreneurship needs to be understood from a social sciences perspective. As the research has pointed out, sociological literature does not have much to say about social entrepreneurship even though social entrepreneurship is an important process through which significant social change occurs in contemporary societies. Using a South African case study, the article analyses social entrepreneurship from a sociological perspective, citing the process of establishing the community work programme (CWP) in South Africa as an illustrative case of social entrepreneurship. Such an analysis departs from a business school-type of perspective which focuses on business models, earned income and financial sustainability.

University, e-portfolio and students: perpetuating a sense of failure?

Newman University embraces partnership work through the principles of a pedagogy of partnership evidenced through development of Student Academic Partnership (SAP), Student Research Partnership (SRP) and Student Community Partnership (SCP) projects.Driving enhancement of digital literacy in its graduates, the Youth and Community work programme embraced the open source e-portfolio platform Mahara for use on study skills and placement modules. Staff however, became aware of the difficulties encountered by students using Mahara and embarked on an initial SAP to unmask the barriers and inform teaching development. This was subsequently followed by an SRP that investigated the specific difficulties for students with dyslexia.The projects found that students valued peer to peer support rather than online support resources, and uncovered a variety of navigational issues that reinforces a sense of failure (Nosek, 1997), stymieing progress that ultimately limits opportunities for students to creatively express knowledge and understanding of a given subject.

Facilitating or hindering social cohesion? The impact of the Community Work Programme in selected South African townships

In recent years, the term “social cohesion” has become an important concept in post-apartheid South Africa.[i] In this paper, we discuss the potential of the Community Work Programme (CWP) as a violence-prevention project based on a study conducted[ii] in six communities, namely Ivory Park, Orange Farm and Kagiso (situated in Gauteng Province), Bokfontein (North West Province), Grabouw and Mannenberg (Western Cape). In this paper, we discuss the potential of CWP in facilitating social cohesion to prevent violence in communities. The CWP work includes community violence-prevention programmes against gangsterism, drug abuse, domestic violence and xenophobic violence. Ordinarily many of these violence prevention projects would not have been possible if it was not for the CWP. However, this paper shows that that the impact of the CWP is not always positive. In some of the six communities, the CWP was a source of racial or interpersonal conflicts, power struggles amongst the local elites for the control of the CWP, xenophobic or ethnic divisions. This paper provides all this analysis to show tensions and contradictions of the CWP in facilitating and hindering social cohesion in communities. It is recommended in conclusion that, if not implemented well, the CWP may be a source of conflict rather than social cohesion. It needs to be implemented in a reliable and stable way if it is to assist in reducing violence in communities.[i] Ingrid Palmary, Reflections on social cohesion in contemporary South Africa, Psychology in Society (forthcoming)[ii] This study was conducted by researchers at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR)

Facilitating or hindering social cohesion? The impact of the Community Work Programme in selected South African townships

In recent years, the term “social cohesion” has become an important concept in post-apartheid South Africa.[i] In this paper, we discuss the potential of the Community Work Programme (CWP) as a violence-prevention project based on a study conducted[ii] in six communities, namely Ivory Park, Orange Farm and Kagiso (situated in Gauteng Province), Bokfontein (North West Province), Grabouw and Mannenberg (Western Cape). In this paper, we discuss the potential of CWP in facilitating social cohesion to prevent violence in communities. The CWP work includes community violence-prevention programmes against gangsterism, drug abuse, domestic violence and xenophobic violence. Ordinarily many of these violence prevention projects would not have been possible if it was not for the CWP. However, this paper shows that that the impact of the CWP is not always positive. In some of the six communities, the CWP was a source of racial or interpersonal conflicts, power struggles amongst the local elites for the control of the CWP, xenophobic or ethnic divisions. This paper provides all this analysis to show tensions and contradictions of the CWP in facilitating and hindering social cohesion in communities. It is recommended in conclusion that, if not implemented well, the CWP may be a source of conflict rather than social cohesion. It needs to be implemented in a reliable and stable way if it is to assist in reducing violence in communities.[i] Ingrid Palmary, Reflections on social cohesion in contemporary South Africa, Psychology in Society (forthcoming)[ii] This study was conducted by researchers at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR)

Facilitating or hindering social cohesion? The impact of the Community Work Programme in selected South African townships

This article discusses the contribution of the Community Work Programme (CWP) to social cohesion, a term that is widely used in post-apartheid South Africa. The article is based on a study that examined the contribution of the CWP to violence prevention. The study by researchers from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation was conducted in six communities: Ivory Park, Orange Farm and Kagiso (situated in Gauteng), Bokfontein (North West Province), and Grabouw and Manenberg (Western Cape). Some work undertaken through the CWP, such as programmes against gangsterism, drug abuse and domestic violence, are directly aimed at addressing violence and may not have been possible had the CWP not provided an enabling context for such activities. However, we show in this article that that the impact of the CWP is not always positive and that the CWP may in some cases result in tensions and contradictions that hinder social cohesion and even cause violence. If not implemented in a consultative participatory manner, the CWP may be a source of conflict rather than of social cohesion. It is thus necessary to ensure that the CWP is implemented with integrity if it is to contribute to positive social cohesion and prevent violence.

The Community Work Programme: potentials and problems

This article provides a detailed and critically reflective ‘insider’ account of the origins and development of a Community Work Programme as a public employment programme intervention. The article explores the significant potential of such a Community Work Programme to reduce unemployment and improve socio-economic livelihoods for programme participants, and its potential to model public/private alignment across sectors that complements what can be accomplished within the budgetary constraints of the central government alone. It also describes the challenges of programme implementation as a social policy intervention, arising in part from the difficulties of scaling up successful pilots to create a nationwide programme. The article demonstrates real achievements but also the difficulties of engagement with the state by non-profit organisations, and the difficulties of forging sustainable partnerships between communities and government around shared goals.

Preventing crime and violence through work and wages: The impact of the CommunityWork Programme

The article offers an analysis of the potential impact of the Community Work Programme (CWP) on crime and violence. The CPW is a public employment programme that was formally established within the government in 2010. The CWP may have an impact on crime and violence through a number of different ‘pathways’. One of these, the focus of this article, is through wages provided to the participants, 75% of whom are women. Notable here is the likely impact of these wages on the households of participants, including on their children and intimate partner relations. Whereas the CWP may have a beneficial impact on children in a household, there appears to be the potential that the CWP may aggravate the risk of violence, particularly for female participants who have unemployed partners. The article argues that if the crime prevention potential of the CWP is to be optimised, this motivates for providing ‘gender training’ to participants who may be at risk of intimate partner violence. In addition, limited male participation may reinforce a pattern of male exclusion, motivating for increasing the participation of men within the CWP.

Preventing crime and violence through work and wages: The impact of the CommunityWork Programme

The article offers an analysis of the potential impact of the Community Work Programme (CWP) on crime and violence. The CPW is a public employment programme that was formally established within the government in 2010. The CWP may have an impact on crime and violence through a number of different ‘pathways’. One of these, the focus of this article, is through wages provided to the participants, 75% of whom are women. Notable here is the likely impact of these wages on the households of participants, including on their children and intimate partner relations. Whereas the CWP may have a beneficial impact on children in a household, there appears to be the potential that the CWP may aggravate the risk of violence, particularly for female participants who have unemployed partners. The article argues that if the crime prevention potential of the CWP is to be optimised, this motivates for providing ‘gender training’ to participants who may be at risk of intimate partner violence. In addition, limited male participation may reinforce a pattern of male exclusion, motivating for increasing the participation of men within the CWP.

The rationale for an employment guarantee in South Africa

This article considers what would happen if unemployed people in South Africa had a right to a minimum level of regular work on decent terms. It looks at the example of India, where a law was passed in 2005 guaranteeing rural households up to 100 days of work a year at minimum wage rates. More than 55 million households now participate in this programme – a rare example of a policy innovation bringing about significant change in a society. India's employment guarantee has important implications for social and economic policy and gives new meaning to the concept of ‘a right to work’. The article explores how structural inequality limits South Africa's development options, and considers early lessons from South Africa's Community Work Programme to make the case for an employment guarantee in South Africa.

Using a Delphi survey to identify priorities

Background and aims: Through the implementation of a Delphi consultation survey, the aim of the study was to identify the key priorities and opportunities for NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) to support NHS boards and community health partnerships (CHPs) to improve the quality of care in primary healthcare services in Scotland. Methods: A three-stage Delphi survey was undertaken involving a panel of clinicians, managers, academics, professional bodies and voluntary organisations working in community and primary healthcare services in Scotland. Results: Following three rounds of the Delphi survey, where the panel scored their level of agreement with suggested topic areas, a number of priority areas have now beenidentified where NHS QIS support could add the most value to community and primary healthcare services. Conclusions: The Delphi process has enabled NHS QIS to gather feedback quickly and efficiently from a wide range of geographically dispersed primary care clinicians, managers and academics across Scotland. The feedback received through the Delphi has been extremely valuable in informing the development of the future NHS QIS community and primary care work programme.