Local Voluntary Organisations Research Articles

Crisis Rescue Foundation Vaxi Taxi/health and wellbeing pop-ups project.

Established by Crisis Rescue Foundation in 2021 to support the missing and vulnerable to access health and wellbeing help. Address health and wellbeing needs of people experiencing barriers to accessing NHS and allied care by delivering pop-ups in the hearts of communities, outside GP surgery and hospital walls, in a warm, inclusive environment. Forty pop-ups so far across London delivering bespoke, individualised health information and signposting, joining up NHS, allied and local community services at key sites, including asylum seeker/homeless/faith/refugee/drug and alcohol support/food bank/sex worker support/youth club and education centres. A 'Medical Glastonbury' with background music, plus free food, toiletry goodie bags and clothes. Drug and alcohol/heart/oral/foot/sexual and mental health; support for carers; BLS; violence reduction; youth mentoring; housing; vaccination; wellbeing and more, information and signposting offered to local people by professionals, supporting and empowering people to access trusted guidance and care. Cardio and mental health check cards to record health information and guide next steps in appropriate care. Around 2000 Londoners were given health and wellbeing information. 80% of service users were from ethnic minority backgrounds. Over 99% of service users rated pop-ups highly. Over 1/3 had raised BP and nearly 2/3 had raised BMI detected and the individuals were signposted to appropriate information and care. Effective, bespoke and personalised information, and signposting to support were well-received at the pop-ups. Professionals working with service users experiencing inequalities of allied and local voluntary organisations to enhance equity by addressing the unmet health and wellbeing needs of the missing and the vulnerable.

Exploring caregiver perspectives in the context of parental substance use: A qualitative study

BackgroundParental substance use is a substantial public health and safeguarding concern. Research examining the impact of parental substance use upon children is well-established, but there is a lack of research examining how parents/caregivers cope with their parenting role within the context of another parent's substance use, or how best to support these parents/caregivers. ObjectiveThis paper examines the experiences and support needs of parents/caregivers impacted by another parent's substance use. ParticipantsNineteen parents/caregivers from substance exposed families via local community-based voluntary sector support organizations, in urban and rural settings in northeast England. MethodsQualitative, in-depth interviews with caregivers (mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, aged 25 to 65+ years) of dependent aged children (aged 4 to17 years) in substance exposed families. Thematic analysis explored their experiences and support needs. ResultsCumulative stress impacted parents/caregivers in their parenting role, creating further challenges in caring for children impacted by another parent's substance use. Parents/caregivers felt their needs went unrecognized by support services, and interactions with statutory services frequently exacerbated their stress. Parents/caregivers worried about what to disclose to children about substance use and how and when to do this. ConclusionParents/caregivers attempted to mitigate the risk of another parent's substance use upon the children in their care. They often perceived lack of appropriate support specifically for parents/caregivers, particularly considering the extra challenges they faced caring for children in the context of parental substance use. Resources to support parents/caregivers in talking with children about these issues may offer guidance and reassurance to caregivers to alleviate some of their stress.

What is the Role of the Third Sector in Integrated Care - Provider, Partner or Both?

To date, much of the integrated care literature and discourse regarding the Third Sector (e.g. community based nongovernmental, charitable, or voluntary agencies) have positioned the sector as service providers and/or system partners. We would argue that while these organizations are undoubtedly equipped to effectively respond to community’s needs, the sector and these agencies are often been characterized as lesser partners and viewed as 'nice to have' rather than core players within integrated health systems.
 Optimizing their engagement requires a more nuanced understanding of the nature, feasibility, and high value models of collaboration between public and third sectors in order to to design and deliver integrated care systems. The purpose of this interactive workshop is to discuss the current role of third sector organizations in integrated care and debate the merit and/or limitations of being seen as a system partner or a service provider; is there a value proposition for both positions? The session will be structured to enable both large and small group structured conversations through deliberative dialogue and table debates. Attendees can expect to be engaged in a provocative dialogue that aims to push our understanding of how we can achieve truly integrated health care with local voluntary and community organizations. Our exchange will likely produce diverse opinions that will be synthesized according to common themes across and within the group and serve as the basis of potential future SIG activities and academic research.
 This 90 minute session is designed for any academic, policy maker or practitioner interested in intersectoral partnerships and integration across health, social and voluntary sectors.
 Format:
 The time will be divided between an introductory overview, a teams of thought leaders will identify and raise key topic concepts followed by a series of table discussions, debates with time to share and synthesize.

A Study on the Current Situation of Education of Rural Children with Serious Illnesses Who Go to the City for Medical Treatment A Case Study of WuJiaNong in Hefei City

This study analyzes the current situation of family education and school education of special children with major illnesses such as leukemia and malignant tumor who travel to the city specifically for medical treatment in rural areas, taking WujiaNong in Hefei as an example. After understanding the economic pressure, mental pressure, and social support of these special groups, and taking into account the situation of local voluntary organizations, the current situation of family education and schooling of children with leukemia in WuJiaNong, Hefei City is clarified, and the causes of their education problems are analyzed in the light of various factors, to draw the attention of the society and improve the current situation of the lack of family education and schooling of children with major diseases in rural areas.

Active recreational and silvicultural co-use of forested areas: an innovative forest management study

Abstract Issue Forests are crucial in the sustainability transition to a biobased modern society. However, forests may also be recreational sites, and positively affect human health and well-being. Modern silvicultural harvesting practices alters the landscape overnight, and hence may affect the recreational and public health promoting use of it. Description of the problem Municipalities, as owners of urban forest areas, may actively support inhabitants’ recreational use of near-by forested areas by 1) allocate resources to local voluntary organizations who facilitate for recreational users and 2) actively facilitate for continuous recreational use while practicing modern silviculture. In 2020-2022, an innovative integrative forest management approach was tested in a municipality in mid-Norway. This study explores how the local forests are used for recreational purposes, and how potential conflicts in land use can be mitigated or prevented. Results The forest areas are mostly used for health-promoting activities like exercise, walking, general recreation, and seasonal harvesting of wild berries and mushrooms. Half of the users get to the forest by foot or bicycle. Easy access, closeness to home, free parking arrangements and access to maps of the areas is important to users. Most users were well-informed about local forest-based businesses and carbon sequestration in wood and held that forests should be harvested and regenerated. They showed a high tolerance for forestry if the footpaths were cleared immediately. However, three out of four users want to be informed before harvesting. A small share of users wants educational posters about forest ecosystems. Lessons A pre-existing low conflict level between modern forestry and recreational forest use may be maintained by quite simple and modest means. In this municipality information posters were placed by the footpaths and an arena for discussions, information and co-creation of recreational facilitation was established in 2022. Key messages • Near-urban forests are frequently used for exercise and recreational activities, especially if easily accessible. • Harmonious co-use of forest areas, even in times of timber harvesting, is supported by rapidly recovering the footpaths and by notifying inhabitants in advance.

Community action projects: community-engaged quality improvement for medical students

ABSTRACT Background Healthcare Quality Improvement (QI) is an essential skill for medical students to acquire, although there is insufficient empirical research which suggests the best educational methods to do this. This study explored the experiences of medical students participating in two versions of a Community Action Project (CAP) which gave medical students the opportunity to learn QI skills in a community setting. The first version (GPCAP) was pre-pandemic where students identified and delivered QI projects on placement in general practice to improve local population health. The second version (Digi-CAP) ran remotely where students worked on QI projects identified by local voluntary sector organisations focused on local community priorities during COVID-19. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteers from the two cohorts of students who had taken part in quality improvement initiatives. Transcriptions were independently coded by two researchers and analysed through thematic analysis. Results Sixteen students were interviewed. Whilst students had mixed experiences of completing their CAP, engagement and successful learning was associated with the following themes from the two versions of QI CAP projects: finding a sense of purpose and meaning in QI projects; preparedness for responsibility and service-driven learning; the importance of having supportive partnerships throughout the project duration and making a sustainable difference. Conclusions and implications The study provides valuable insights into the design and implementation of these community-based QI projects, which enabled students to learn new and often hard to teach skills, whilst working on projects which have a sustainable impact on local community outcomes.

Understanding Anti-POSCO Movement in Odisha: Through the Politics of Development

Like other resistant movements by the development-induced displaced, the Anti-Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) movement was fought on the basis of issues of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R), ecological degradation, loss of livelihood, and endangered local identity. However, this movement is studied with a nuance that examined a novel variable called the politics of development (taking the analysis beyond the R&R/livelihood issues and conventional left leaning analysis of movements). As an empirical exercise, the study exemplifies application of New Social Movement (NSM) theory and accordingly it analyzes the pivotal roles of social movement organizations (SMOs) like POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti and United Action Committee and a nexus of the principal SMO with likeminded civil society organizations (CSOs) (NGOs and INGOs) which are further linked to large number of local voluntary organizations (solidarity groups). The major point of departure for analysis is the “politics of development” which gets operationalized in terms of articulation of vested interests that undermines societal interests. The SMO and CSO with local solidarity groups forming a nexus fomented the mobilizations for the resistance movement. Hence, it is argued that as a victim of politics of development, POSCO, a huge developmental project in coastal Odisha, faced closer. Thus, within the framework of NSM perspective, the analytic nuances of “politics of development” provided the depth into the understanding of the movement dynamics.

Social Connections and Resettlement Experiences of the Chinese Refugees in the United Kingdom: Implications for Policy and Practice

The purpose of this article was to identify the social connection patterns, social network, and the level of trust and reciprocity (opportunity to give help and contribute) of the Chinese refugees in Glasgow, Scotland. Participatory exercises, such as social mapping and card sorting tasks, were conducted with 15 participants. Interviews with two staff members of the Chinese Community Development Partnership (CCDP), a local voluntary organization, were conducted to elicit information about this population. Key findings include a low awareness of formal services in the host country, strong bonding with friends from their ethnic group for some participants, lack of trust and engagement, and overall lack of opportunity to give reciprocal help in the host country. Strong bonds within the same ethnic group do not necessarily lead to strong bridging and linking capital for the participants, as Putnam (2000) suggested. On the contrary, it might perpetuate isolation and lack of access to information in the local community. Findings can shed light for the government and agencies to come up with practical strategies to enhance social development with more extensive resources and services for this population.

Nurse-led mental and physical healthcare for the homeless community: A qualitative evaluation.

Increased morbidity and mortality rates are prominent issues among homeless individuals. To help reduce these health inequalities, dedicated senior mental and physical health nurses have been deployed to work within and alongside local statutory and voluntary organisations. This qualitative evaluation examined the impact of nurse-led homeless healthcare in Warwickshire, United Kingdom. During January and February 2021, online semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 professionals including the mental and physical homeless health nurses (n=4), statutory health and local authority professionals (n=4), and voluntary and community sector professionals (n=9). Interviews were qualitatively analysed using inductive, reflexive thematic analysis. Data analysis identified three overarching themes related to the meaning, impact and future development of nurse-led homeless healthcare: (1) Nurse-led homeless healthcare and health inequalities, (2) The multi-agency approach of nurse-led homeless healthcare, and (3) Future development of nurse-led homeless healthcare. The findings confirm the benefits of homeless healthcare in reducing health inequalities and promoting a more accessible, flexible and person-centred approach to holistic care. Yet, prevailing organisational and system-level barriers were also identified as currently limiting the capacity, provision and practicalities of delivering nurse-led homeless healthcare. Recommendations were identified with international relevance and included: (i) continued implementation of person-centred healthcare for homeless individuals, (ii) strengthening of organisational collaboration and communication pathways to improve coordinated care, (iii) development of the managerial and structural aspects of provision, (iv) addressing limitations associated with scope and capacity to ensure that delivered healthcare is adequately intensive, (v) increased availability of clinical or therapeutic spaces, and (vi) implementation of long-term plans supported by evaluation and commissioning.

From Kontrollverlust to Kontrollgewinn: Rediscovering a Meso-Level Normative Hierarchy for Integrated Water Management in England Using On-Line Activities

This paper presents a unique study into how to identify a meso-level normative (i.e., institutional) hierarchy of procedures that aim to deliver the ecological status of waterbodies in the UK. Using traditional survey and workshop methods, the majority of recent studies concentrate on engagement practices between macro- (government bodies) and micro- (local residents) level structures, which can be potentially replicated elsewhere. Meso-level elements (middle-level structures of control) are often regarded as ‘subjective institutional change’, e.g., failures to implement programs locally or misinterpretations of reflexive dialogs with communities. Nevertheless, it is often only meso-level structures that are capable of promoting and replicating policies elsewhere. At the same time, there is increasing appeal by governmental departments for communities to ‘self-organize’ and take responsibility for prioritizing environmental tasks, which themselves might be instigated by local trusts and voluntary organizations, the existence of which remains largely unaccounted for by central offices. The recent proliferation of Twitter accounts, with the prominent themes of water, ecology and ecosystems, which include people, organizations, businesses and ‘bots’ of various types, presents new opportunities for digital methods to gain insights into structures and functions of these virtual communities. We hypothesize that our methods can produce invaluable insights into the ‘crafting’ of environmental institutions through approaches commonly ignored by traditional ‘analog’ meso-level mechanisms. We use the example of Integrated Catchment Management in the UK, and specifically the Tamar Catchment in southwest England, in order to demonstrate how well Twitter can capture this transitory meso-level environmental political system.

Time to take care: fighting HIV with health promotion in Edinburgh, 1983-1996.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Edinburgh and the Lothians suffered significantly high rates of HIV infections, considered to be the result of a high proportion of intravenous drug users sharing injecting equipment. This young, sexually active cohort had the potential to pose a threat to the wider population via heterosexual spread, and hence measures were required to prevent, where possible, a second wave of the epidemic. A coalition of health professionals, local authority groups and voluntary organisations consequently acted by producing a series of health promotional campaigns, such as the 'Take Care' campaign, in order to promote healthy and safe sexual practice and to educate the community about the risks of HIV and AIDS. Many of the strategies utilised by Lothian public bodies were pioneering, using distinctive imagery and novel marketing techniques. Despite aiming these campaigns at the broader community however, campaigns spearheaded by health providers and local government often excluded certain high-risk populations, such as drug users and gay men, and subsequently these demographic groups had to turn to other services (in voluntary, non-governmental sectors) for health education and promotion.

Exploring the relationship between local volunteering opportunities and the propensity to volunteer using a nationally representative survey of adults in Wales

ABSTRACT This study explored the respective importance of compositional (individual) and contextual (neighbourhood) factors associated with the propensity to engage in formal volunteering among a nationally representative sample of adults in Wales, UK. To date, while certain contextual characteristics of local communities have been found to be associated with the propensity to volunteer, compositional characteristics of residents tend to be stronger predictors. Few studies to date have specifically explored associations with local volunteering opportunities. To address such gaps, this study examined the extent to which such opportunities and broader neighbourhood factors such as urban/rural status and deprivation impacted upon propensities to volunteer, adjusting for important compositional predictors of voluntarism. In summary, while volunteering was marginally associated with a measure of local voluntary opportunities, hinting that the odds of formal volunteering are greater among those living in areas with more local voluntary organizations, this association was not retained following adjustment for other factors. This suggests that much of the area-level variance is explained by spatial variations in compositional factors. Further research is needed to examine determinants of volunteering behaviour at a range of spatial scales by drawing on wider measures of volunteering opportunities, before the factors at play can be fully understood.

Helps My Family Survive Hard Times: An Innovative Summertime Food Relief Program in New Haven, Connecticut

ABSTRACT To achieve healthy communities, addressing food insecurity (FI) is critical. This study describes a unique food distribution program combining a mobile Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for children with a mobile pantry for adults. A survey (n = 153) of participants at six locations in New Haven Connecticut revealed that 36% reported FI and 76% were first-time pantry users. Three- quarters participated in SNAP, WIC, or both, and two-thirds had children who were fed by SFSP. Major federal programs do not eliminate FI, therefore local voluntary organizations are essential partners to address the food crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Never more needed’ yet never more stretched: reflections on the role of the voluntary sector during the COVID-19 pandemic

This research note presents the preliminary findings from a study into the mobilisation of volunteers during the coronavirus pandemic. Data gathered from 49 semi-structured interviews with representatives from local authorities (LAs), voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and mutual aid coordinators offer important insights into the state of the sector at this critical juncture, as we find ourselves in a third national lockdown. The role of the VCS in both strategic responses and on-the-ground community action has accorded it renewed respect and credibility. At the same time, the funding landscape for voluntary organisations is uncertain, demand for services is overwhelming, and staff and volunteers are suffering from fatigue. Our findings highlight the imperative of embedding the lessons of the first national lockdown in 2020 by valuing the sector’s contribution to the emergency effort and retaining its seat at the table, ensuring its role in economic and social recovery.

The social underpinnings of mental distress in the time of COVID-19 - time for urgent action.

We argue that predictions of a 'tsunami' of mental health problems as a consequence of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the lockdown are overstated; feelings of anxiety and sadness are entirely normal reactions to difficult circumstances, not symptoms of poor mental health. Some people will need specialised mental health support, especially those already leading tough lives; we need immediate reversal of years of underfunding of community mental health services. However, the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on the most disadvantaged, especially BAME people placed at risk by their social and economic conditions, were entirely predictable. Mental health is best ensured by urgently rebuilding the social and economic supports stripped away over the last decade. Governments must pump funds into local authorities to rebuild community services, peer support, mutual aid and local community and voluntary sector organisations. Health care organisations must tackle racism and discrimination to ensure genuine equal access to universal health care. Government must replace highly conditional benefit systems by something like a universal basic income. All economic and social policies must be subjected to a legally binding mental health audit.This may sound unfeasibly expensive, but the social and economic costs, not to mention the costs in personal and community suffering, though often invisible, are far greater.

"Hostile and demeaning" universal credit system worsens physical and mental health, study finds.

Universal credit (UC)—the new benefits system which combines six separate welfare benefits into one monthly payment—has a negative impact on the wellbeing, physical, and mental health of those who use it, according to a study in BMJ Open .1 Researchers interviewed 33 claimants with complex needs, disabilities, and health conditions and 37 staff from local government, housing, voluntary, and community sector organisations, and found that both groups reported major …

Ethnic differences in psychosis-Lay epidemiology explanations.

BackgroundMuch research attention has been given to the high rates of psychosis diagnosed in the Black community. However, little has been heard about possible reasons for this from Black African and Caribbean mental health service users themselves.AimsTo determine how Black African and Caribbean service users perceive and explain these apparent differences.MethodsWe conducted four focus groups between 2014 and 2015 with 35 participants from the Black African and Black Caribbean community in Lambeth and Southwark, South East London, diagnosed with a psychotic illness. Recruitment was through a local voluntary sector organization and other community contacts.ResultsEach group described an elevated risk of psychosis in their community and explanations followed the following themes, with increased rates due to: (a) an accumulation of stressors due to disadvantaged ethnic minority status, (b) further disadvantage due to inequitable experiences of mental health services, (c) an absence of community support and (d) a double stigma: as a result of external discrimination, due to ethnicity, and internal stigma about mental illness from within the Black community itself.ConclusionsBlack mental health service users attributed an elevated risk of psychosis in their community to an accumulation of stressors directly related to ethnic minority status.

From Disaster Response to Community Recovery: Nongovernmental Entities, Government, and Public Health.

In this article, we examine the role of nongovernmental entities (NGEs; nonprofits, religious groups, and businesses) in disaster response and recovery. Although media reports and the existing scholarly literature focus heavily on the role of governments, NGEs provide critical services related to public safety and public health after disasters. NGEs are crucial because of their ability to quickly provide services, their flexibility, and their unique capacity to reach marginalized populations. To examine the role of NGEs, we surveyed 115 NGEs engaged in disaster response. We also conducted extensive field work, completing 44 hours of semistructured interviews with staff from NGEs and government agencies in postdisaster areas in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Northern California, and Southern California. Finally, we compiled quantitative data on the distribution of nonprofit organizations. We found that, in addition to high levels of variation in NGE resources across counties, NGEs face serious coordination and service delivery problems. Federal funding for expanding the capacity of local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster groups, we suggest, would help NGEs and government to coordinate response efforts and ensure that recoveries better address underlying social and economic vulnerabilities.

Filling the gaps? The role of voluntary organizations in supporting older people with severe mental illnesses

ABSTRACT Older people ageing with severe mental illness (SMI) usually fall in between mental health care and old age care services. The role of informal care in filling this gap is recognized. The role of other welfare providers, such as voluntary organizations, is unclear. The aim of this article is to analyze and discuss local voluntary organizations’ ability to recognize and respond to the needs of older people with SMI in the community. 11 local organizations focusing on mental illness, social care or old age were identified in a mid-sized Swedish city. Seven voluntary organizations participated in the study. Our analysis revealed three overarching themes: ‘Age as a non-issue?’, ‘Public and voluntary sector (non)links’ and ‘organizational vulnerabilities’. Our results show that older people with SMI are to some extent also invisible in the voluntary sector. We were also able to discern differences in the ‘we-for-us’ organizations that provide support for their own members with SMI, and ‘we-for-them’ organizations that provide help to a broader group. Overall, older people with SMI remain a relatively invisible as a group for the voluntary organizations. We discuss these findings in relation to the specificity of the group and welfare contexts of voluntary work in communities.

We believe in life before death: the Christian aid movement in Taiwan, 1970-78

Christian Aid, a faith-based anti-poverty charity based in the UK, origins lie in the reconstruction of Europe following the Second World War. In 1948, the organisation regrouped under the title: Inter-Church Aid and Refugee Service and its focus shifted towards worldwide poverty. The 1970s saw the organisation directly funding over 100 development projects in 40 different countries and by the 1990s Christian Aid was campaigning on global political issues that included (but not limited to) South African apartheid, Stop Climate Chaos, fair trade and trade justice movements. Without representatives overseas, Christian Aid works entirely through local structures, mainly churches and/or voluntary organisations; relying heavily on regional screening of projects by local experts. The collection used in this paper comprises of correspondences, minutes and reports. It draws on primary sources material (in both English and Chinese) that include: the Taroko Mountain Village Development Programme in 1973; the typhoon relief in 1973-74; Leadership and Community Development for East Coast Aborigines in 1972; the Training Centre for Handicapped People (est. 1972-73); Health Education Programme for East Coast Aborigines (1970-72); Social Service Centre (1970-71); Lotung Student Centre (1974-75); Vehicle repairing courses for tribal people, 1972-76; Aboriginal Agricultural Development Project–1975-76; among others. The paper is framed in the context of civil movements (in particular relief programmes), with the Taiwan indigenous peoples as a representative case study. Its main contribution is as a historical source; a comparative for present-day civil movements that have their routes in grassroots issues. In the case of Taiwan, much of the literature on the 1970s has tended (and perhaps rightfully so) concentrated on the change in representation at the United Nations Security Council in 1971; the US establishment of diplomatic ties with the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) in 1972; the passing of the Taiwan Relations Act in ‘1979; the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident; and the death of Chiang Kaishek and power transfer to Chiang Ching-kuo in ‘75 and ‘78 respectively. Little is known on social movements and development projects among the indigenous peoples during this ‘decade of change’. By addressing this overlooked aspect of the history of Taiwan civil movements, this paper will greatly contribute to existing knowledge on social movements, rights discourses and citizenship.