Community Sector Research Articles

“We might not have been in hospital, but we were frontline workers in the community”: a qualitative study exploring unmet need and local community-based responses for marginalised groups in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe response to the COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant increase in demand for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector to provide support to local communities. In Greater Manchester (GM), the VCFSE sector and informal networks provided health and wellbeing support in multiple ways, culminating in its crucial supportive role in the provision of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the GM city region. However, the support provided by the VCFSE sector during the pandemic remains under-recognised. The aims of the study were to: understand the views and experiences of marginalised communities in GM during the COVID-19 pandemic; explore how community engagement initiatives played a role during the pandemic and vaccine rollout; assess what can be learnt from the work of key stakeholders (community members, VCFSEs, health-system stakeholders) for future health research and service delivery.MethodsThe co-designed study utilised a participatory approach throughout and was co-produced with a Community Research Advisory Group (CRAG). Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely between September-November 2021, with 35 participants from local marginalised communities, health and care system stakeholders and VCFSE representatives. Thematic framework analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsLocal communities in GM were not supported sufficiently by mainstream services during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in increased pressure onto the VCFSE sector to respond to local communities’ need. Community-based approaches were deemed crucial to the success of the vaccination drive and in providing support to local communities more generally during the pandemic, whereby such approaches were in a unique position to reach members of diverse communities to boost uptake of the vaccine. Despite this, the support delivered by the VCFSE sector remains under-recognised and under-valued by the health system and decision-makers.ConclusionsA number of challenges associated with collaborative working were experienced by the VSCE sector and health system in delivering the vaccination programme in partnership with the VCFSE sector. There is a need to create a broader, more inclusive health system which allows and promotes inter-sectoral working. Flexibility and adaptability in ongoing and future service delivery should be championed for greater cross-sector working.

A Study of Clean Water Resources Development Policy in Atambua at Belu Regency, Indonesia

Developing clean water resources is essential for policies addressing populations that lack access to safe potable water. Belu Regency is classified as underdeveloped, partially due to the community's limited capacity to manage existing water resources for basic needs. This study investigates the implementation of clean water resource development policies in the Belu Regency and identifies the supporting and inhibiting factors. Employing a descriptive qualitative methodology, this study involves stakeholders such as government entities, private sector organizations, businesses, and non-governmental organizations. Data collection encompasses library and field research through observations, interviews, and documentation. These findings indicate effective policy implementation; however, the objectives have not been fully achieved. Supporting factors include community and stakeholder participation while inhibiting factors include communication, resource capability, implementers' attitudes, and the bureaucratic structure. The study concluded that single-region management may result in conflicts of interest in water regulation between the residents of the two regions. Consequently, collaboration between the government and stakeholders is necessary, involving an integrated water resource management pattern with participation from the community, religious leaders, and business sector, based on UNDP provisions. This cooperation is feasible because of the strong emotional and cultural ties between the two countries' populations.

Forecasting the probability of successful deployment of internet of things and cloud computing in the building sector through consistent fuzzy preference relations method

Purpose This study aims to identify significant factors, analyse them using the consistent fuzzy preference relations (CFPR) method and forecast the probability of successful deployment of the internet of things (IoT) and cloud computing (CC) in Gujarat, India’s building sector. Design/methodology/approach From the previous studies, 25 significant factors were identified, and a questionnaire survey with personal interviews obtained 120 responses from building experts in Gujarat, India. The questionnaire survey data’s validity, reliability and descriptive statistics were also assessed. Building experts’ opinions are inputted into the CFPR method, and priority weights and ratings for probable outcomes are obtained to forecast success and failure. Findings The findings demonstrate that the most important factors are affordable system and ease of use and battery life and size of sensors, whereas less important ones include poor collaboration between IoT and cloud developer community and building sector and suitable location. The forecasting values demonstrate that the factor suitable location has a high probability of success; however, factors such as loss of jobs and data governance have a high probability of failure. Based on the forecasted values, the probability of success (0.6420) is almost twice that of failure (0.3580). It shows that deploying IoT and CC in the building sector of Gujarat, India, is very much feasible. Originality/value Previous studies analysed IoT and CC factors using different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to merely prioritise ranking in the building sector, but forecasting success/failure makes this study unique. This research is generally applicable, and its findings may be utilised for decision-making and deployment of IoT and CC in the building sector anywhere globally.

Comparing the experiences of community and hospital pharmacy learners completing a pre-registrant research training program

Background and purposeResearch training programs in the community pharmacy sector have not been well established. This study showcases a year-long guided research training program undertaken in hospital and community workplaces by pre-registrant pharmacists, and compares the perceived impact on learners in both sectors. Educational activity and settingA two-year cohort study (2021−2022) of pre-registrant pharmacists enrolled in a research training program requiring them to undertake an individual project at their workplace over one year at either a community or hospital workplace. Outcome measures were pre-registrant perceptions of training impact and type of projects completed. FindingsThe results of this study demonstrate that the year-long guided research training program delivered to 403 pre-registrant pharmacists was perceived to be impactful to both community and hospital pre-registrant pharmacists and gave them the confidence to pursue further research and see research skills as an important attribute for the profession. Barriers to research included lack of time for both sectors but workplace support and lack of project ideas were especially noted in the community sector. Research project designs were mainly cross-sectional surveys or retrospective audits. SummaryPrograms seeking to adopt a similar model may wish to pay particular attention to supporting community pharmacy learners in providing a pre-selection of project ideas, offering training to workplace supervisors, ensuring enough academic support is given and having more check-in points/deliverables to ensure more feedback opportunities.

POLICY RECOMMENDATION FOR INTEGRATED SMART HEATING SYSTEM

In the context of the challenges posed by global climate change and the need for a sustainable energy transition, this study addresses the ways in which innovative strategies contribute to the formulation of public policies aimed at optimising heating systems. This research aims to identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase energy efficiency in the field of heating, essential aspects in achieving global sustainability goals to formulate policy recommendations for an integrated heating system. Adopting a mixed methodological approach, this analysis combines the literature review with a systematic examination of different initiatives and solutions adopted at the urban level to extract patterns of good practice and highlight relevant relationships and differences. The research emphasises the importance of the synergy between innovation, governance, and financing mechanisms in promoting sustainable and effective solutions. In the light of good practices and lessons learned from cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Vancouver, and Freiburg, the authors' contribution focuses on identifying governance strategies that facilitate the transition to optimised heating systems. These cities demonstrate how the implementation of well-designed public policies can act as a catalyst for the adoption of sustainable heating solutions, highlighting the essential role of public policy in mediating urban development needs and the effective implementation of sustainability initiatives. The research results show that adopting an integrated and participatory approach involving all relevant actors can speed up the adoption of more efficient heating systems with reduced environmental impact. This underlines the importance of adopting legislative and public policy frameworks that stimulate heating innovation and encourage collaboration between the public, private and community sectors. Beneficiaries of this research include policy makers, energy professionals, and the academic community, providing them with a solid foundation for the development and implementation of effective public policies. The study concludes that it is essential to develop public policy strategies that promote the adoption of sustainable heating solutions, based on lessons learned from cities that have successfully implemented such initiatives. Thus, progress towards a sustainable energy future can be accelerated, contributing significantly to global efforts to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The Role of Digital Social Entrepreneurship in Driving Green Economy and SDGs

<p class="Default"><em><span lang="EN-US">Environmental conservation and sustainable development are gaining increasing attention globally. Environmental problems such as climate change, environmental degradation, and resource crises are the focus of the attention of various parties, including the community, government, and private sector. This research aims to explore the role of the digital ecosystem and social entrepreneurship practices among the youth of Lintang Nuswantara Cirebon in supporting the Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals. A qualitative approach with a case study was used to understand the role of this ecosystem. The results of this study show that excellent programs such as Youth Social Care Camp (YSCC), Lintang Muda Mengabdi (LMM), and the mangrove planting program with NGO Grow Up Institute (GUI) have contributed positively to advancing the Green Economy and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. This community has successfully created a sense of mutual aid and empowered the community through innovative digital initiatives</span></em></p>

A geographical analysis of social enterprises: the case of Ireland

PurposeThis study aims to conduct a geographical analysis of the distribution and type of activities developed by social enterprises in rural and urban areas of Ireland.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyses data of more than 4,000 social enterprises against a six-tier rural/urban typology, using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to test six hypotheses.FindingsThe study shows a geographical rural–urban pattern in the distribution of social enterprises in Ireland, with a positive association between the remoteness of an area and the ratio of social enterprises, and a lack of capital-city effect related to the density of social enterprises. The analysis also shows a statistically significant geographical rural–urban pattern for the types of activities developed by social enterprises. The authors observe a positive association between the remoteness of the areas and the presence of social enterprises operating in the community and local development sector whereas the association is not significant for social enterprises developing welfare services.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows the potential of using recently developed rural–urban typologies and tools such as geographical information systems for conducting geographical research on social enterprises. The findings also have implications for informing spatially sensitive policymaking on social enterprises.Originality/valueThe merging of a large national data set of social enterprises with geographical tools and data at subregional level contributes to the methodological advancement of the field of social enterprises, providing tools and frameworks for a nuanced and spatially sensitive analysis of these organisations.

Factors influencing the commissioning and implementation of health and social care interventions for people with dementia: commissioner and stakeholder perspectives

BackgroundDespite several interventions demonstrating benefit to people living with dementia and their caregivers, few have been translated and implemented in routine clinical practice. There is limited evidence of the barriers and facilitators for commissioning and implementing health and social care interventions for people living with dementia. The aim of the current study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to commissioning and implementing health and social care interventions for people with dementia, using a dementia friendly exercise and physical activity-based intervention (PrAISED [Promoting Activity, Stability and Independence in Early Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment]) as a case study.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders from a range of backgrounds including individuals from health and social care, local government, the voluntary and community sector, universities, and research centres in England. The Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research (CFIR) was used to guide the design and analysis.ResultsFourteen participants took part, including commissioning managers, service managers, partnership managers, charity representatives, commercial research specialists, academics/researchers, and healthcare professionals. Data were represented in 33 constructs across the five CFIR domains. Participants identified a need for greater support for people diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers immediately post dementia diagnosis. Key barriers included cost/financing, the culture of commissioning, and available resources. Key facilitators included the adaptability of the intervention, cosmopolitanism/partnerships and connections, external policy and incentives, and the use of already existing (and untapped) workforces.ConclusionSeveral barriers and facilitators for commissioning and implementing health and social care interventions for people with dementia were identified which need to be addressed. Recommended actions to facilitate the commissioning and implementation of dementia friendly services are: 1) map out local needs, 2) evidence the intervention including effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, 3) create/utilise networks with stakeholders, and 4) plan required resources.

Experiences of support for people who access voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations for self-harm: a qualitative study with stakeholder feedback

BackgroundPrevalence of self-harm In England is rising, however contact with statutory services remains relatively low. There is growing recognition of the potential role voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations have in the provision of self-harm support. We aimed to explore individuals’ experiences of using these services and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support.MethodsQualitative, online interviews with 23 adults (18+) who have accessed support from VCSE organisations for self-harm in the Yorkshire and the Humber region were undertaken. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo software.ResultsParticipants described how a lack of service flexibility and the perception that their individual needs were not being heard often made them less likely to engage with both statutory and VCSE organisations. The complexity of care pathways made it difficult for them to access appropriate support when required, as did a lack of awareness of the types of support available. Participants described how engagement was improved by services that fostered a sense of community. The delivery of peer support played a key role in creating this sense of belonging. Education and workplace settings were also viewed as key sources of support for individuals, with a lack of mental health literacy acting as a barrier to access in these environments.ConclusionsVCSE organisations can play a crucial role in the provision of support for self-harm, however, pathways into these services remain complex and links between statutory and non-statutory services need to be strengthened. The provision of peer support is viewed as a crucial component of effective support in VCSE organisations. Further supervision and training should be offered to those providing peer support to ensure that their own mental health is protected.

Hybrid housing models for older Australians: institutional framework and policy challenges

Older people seeking affordable housing in the mainstream housing tenures such as home ownership, private renting and social housing face increasing difficulties in accessing and remaining in appropriate housing. The mainstream housing tenures face pressure due to widening housing affordability problems in home ownership and the private rental sector in many advanced economies, exacerbated by declining investment in social housing. Hybrid housing models are often promoted as affordable and sometimes appropriate and adequate housing options for older people. These models combine aspects of ownership and renting in diverse ways, often posing challenges for tenure-based housing policies. Drawing on the case of Australia, the paper presents the findings of an institutional review of the production, consumption, management, and exchange of land lease communities, often marketed as a more affordable form of housing for older people compared to the more established hybrid form of retirement villages. Noting difficulties in scoping the size and significance of the land lease community sector from current data collections, we find (a) entry of large institutional investors risks undermining the relative affordability of the sector for older people; (b) security of occupancy is a critical policy issue and (c) concentration in rural areas raises concerns around risk of natural disasters and access to aged care and other services. These issues are often overlooked in housing policy and pose challenges for other policy domains including income support, social care, and health services.

Evaluation Literacy and Use in Community Organizations: Insights and Implications for Evaluation Capacity Building

Past research on evaluation capacity in community organizations has focused on their capacity to conduct rather than use evaluation. This study sought to address this gap by exploring evaluation use and the supporting processes, systems, and structures in the community sector. The authors administered an online survey to 102 individuals working or involved in community organizations to measure their perceptions of their organization’s capacity to use evaluation. The survey was based on an adaptation of Bourgeois and Cousins’ evaluation capacity framework and a related assessment tool, the Organizational Evaluation Capacity Assessment Instrument, for the community sector context. Their findings offer empirical insights into three critical dimensions of the adapted framework associated with evaluation use in community organizations: evaluation literacy, organizational decision-making, and learning benefits. This exploratory study generated several key findings, including the need for tools and policies that establish a strong link between evaluation and decision-making, expanding the scope of engagement in data interpretation beyond primary users, and extending the dissemination of findings to external stakeholders. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Implementasi Kebijakan Program Kartu Identitas Anak (KIA) di Kelurahan Krembangan Utara Kota Surabaya

Population issues continue to be a problem in Indonesia, and population registration is being carried out in Kembangan Utara Subdistrict in Surabaya City. The government's effort to overcome this population problem is by publishing Child Identity Cards (KIA). KIA is organized by the Population and Civil Registration Service (Disdukcapil) in districts/cities throughout Indonesia with the aim of providing population identity to children in Indonesia. Apart from that, the implementation of KIA aims to protect and fulfill children's constitutional rights, which is a national program. The aim of the research is to examine the implementation of the KIA policy at the Population and Civil Registration Service and the Residents of Krembangan Utara Subdistrict, Surabaya City, as well as to provide information on the driving and inhibiting factors for the implementation of the policy. The method used in this research is descriptive and qualitative, and data collection techniques use interview, observation and documentation methods. Secondary data was also obtained from journals and previous research. The results of this research show that the implementation of the KIA policy at the Population and Civil Registration Service in Krembangan Utara Subdistrict, Surabaya City is quite good, but there are still many advantages and disadvantages in terms of communication and resources, implementation and bureaucratic structure. Second, facilities and cooperation with third parties are supporting factors for implementing KIA at the Population and Civil Registry Service, Krembangan Utara Subdistrict, Surabaya City. On the other hand, the inhibiting factor is in the community sector.

Trust Framework for Self-Sovereign ID in Metaverse Health Care Applications

The research community and digital sector are currently engaged in the development of diverse services within the metaverse ecosystems. Conversely, as concerns about safeguarding personal privacy mount, individuals anticipate exercising greater authority over the way third parties make use of sensitive information, such as medical data. This study aims to develop tools that can facilitate the provision of healthcare services within the metaverse ecosystem in a safe and trustworthy way. This project proposes a trust framework for digital healthcare applications to run in a metaverse environment. The framework is based on the use of self-sovereign identity (SSI) and has been tested on the design principles outlined for the SSI-based architecture. This study outlines two use-case scenarios that can serve as foundations for implementing a trust framework.

Social prescribing for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers: what works, for whom, under what circumstances and why – protocol for a complex intervention systematic review

IntroductionDementia is a complex medical condition that poses significant challenges to healthcare systems and support services. People living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers experience complex needs often exacerbated by...

Book review - COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts, and Adaptation

Book review - COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts, and Adaptation

Collaborative Governance as an Innovative Strategy in Overcoming Stunting in East Flores District

Despite various intervention programs to address stunting in East Flores Regency, the stunting prevalence rate has not yet reached the target of 10% by 2023. One of the challenges is the lack of community and private sector involvement in handling stunting. In fact, stunting intervention is not only the responsibility of the government, but also requires cross-sector collaboration to work together in optimizing the program. This research discusses collaborative governance as an innovative strategy in overcoming stunting in East Flores Regency. The research method used was qualitative with a descriptive approach. Five health workers and two community development cadres became research informants who were selected purposively. Data analysis used the interactive model of Miles B. Huberman. Data validity was strengthened through triangulation. The results showed that the application of collaborative governance with the penta helix model, namely government, entrepreneurs, academics, civil society, and mass media, is an innovative solution that can be applied in overcoming stunting. The five main stakeholders in the penta helix collaborative governance model can work together synergistically to achieve optimal results in overcoming stunting problems.

Perspectives on community-based system change for people living with persistent pain: insights from developing the "Rethinking Pain service".

In this perspective article we advocate community-based system change for people living with persistent pain. Our view is that greater use of the voluntary and community sector, in partnership with the clinical sector, creates the conditions for a "whole person" approach to pain management, leading to greater personalised care for adults living with long-term pain whilst having the potential to ease some of the pressures on General Practitioners and other clinical services. We advocate pain care that is socially connected, meaningful within socio-cultural contexts and aligned with the principles of salutogenesis. We provide an example of a UK National Health Service (NHS) commissioned pain service called "Rethinking Pain" that operationalises this perspective. Led by the voluntary and community sector, Rethinking Pain works in partnership with the clinical sector to provide a central holistic pathway of care for people experiencing persistent pain. This is the first time that this model of care has been commissioned for persistent pain in this area of England. The Rethinking Pain service is underpinned by core values to work with people to manage their pain holistically. The Rethinking Pain team proactively engage with people in the community, actively approaching and engaging those who experience the biggest health inequalities. In this article we provide an overview of the context of pain services in the UK, the rationale and supporting evidence for community-based system change, and the context, pathway, values, goals, and aspirations of the Rethinking Pain service.

Development of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model: Enhancing Intersectoral Approaches in Tackling Health Inequalities- A Mixed Methods Study Protocol

Public health research presents compelling evidence that health is socially determined. To address structural inequalities and inequities in health, public policies require intersectoral development and implementation. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an established approach for analysing potentially detrimental health impacts of policies, programmes, and projects, as well as potentially positive impacts and opportunities. National public health policy, Healthy Ireland (2013–2025), endorses an intersectoral whole-of-system approach to ensure that health is a central part of all relevant policy areas. HIA is endorsed in this policy as one way to drive this agenda. Synergising with this policy commitment for HIA, the all-island Institute of Public Health Ireland produced revised HIA guidance in 2021. Two HIAs will be carried out as part of this project, including one at a local policy level, addressing the Cork City Development Plan (2022–2028), and the second HIA at a national policy level, addressing the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan (2024). The updated HIA guidance will be used in the conduct of these HIAs. This research project involves a co-creation of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model by employing an action research approach with implementation science frameworks to the conduct of the two HIAs. Therefore, the process of doing the HIAs will form the basis for the research study. In order to enhance meaningful community involvement in HIA in Ireland, the project will co-create a Community Engagement Toolkit for HIA. This Model will strengthen researcher, policy actor, practitioner, community, and voluntary sector capacity to collaboratively develop and implement intersectoral and equitable policy responses to major population health issues.

Participation, agreement and reduced acrimony through family mediation: Benefits for the ambivalent client in a mandatory setting

AbstractIn Australia, it is mandatory for separating couples to attempt Family Dispute Resolution (FDR/mediation) before taking a parenting matter to court. In this context some clients may attend FDR solely as a means of accessing court processes. This article examines key outcomes across a large sample of FDR clients in a community sector organization. Participation, rates of agreement, levels of satisfaction, and levels of acrimony are assessed for the sample as a whole and for a subgroup of those indicating their intention to proceed to court. Strong rates of participation, agreement, and satisfaction are reported for the full sample, and significant reductions in acrimony are evident among those who reached agreement in FDR. We find that those who indicate ambivalence to negotiating parenting matters in FDR nevertheless derive benefit from participation in terms of reduced acrimony, satisfaction with the process, and reaching some level of agreement.

ANALISA FAKTOR INDIVIDU TERHADAP PENYEBAB KEMISKINAN EKSTRIM DI KABUPATEN TANGERANG

This research was conducted with the main aim of examining individual factors that contribute to extreme poverty in the Tangerang Regency, especially in 12 villages located across four district regions: Pakuhaji District, Rajeg District, Solear District, and Sindang Jaya District. By gaining a deeper understanding of the factors driving extreme poverty, it's hoped that poverty alleviation efforts in this area can be more effective and targeted. The research utilized a qualitative descriptive method as the primary approach. Findings indicate that individual factors, particularly in education and employment aspects, significantly contribute to extreme poverty in this region. Analysis reveals that the majority of the population in these 12 villages have low educational attainment, with most having only completed primary or lower secondary education. Additionally, livelihoods are predominantly in the agricultural sector, manual labor, odd jobs, and other informal occupations, showcasing limited job options available. Possible steps to address this include raising awareness about the importance of education through community and private sector participation, enhancing the knowledge and skills of the workforce, improving educational infrastructure, providing job training and internships within local companies, creating new labor-intensive job opportunities, boosting economic infrastructure, and improving access to financing while providing support for community-driven initiatives