Using focus groups and photography to evaluate experiences of social inclusion within rehabilitation adult mental health services
| Date | 03 November 2009 |
| Pages | 13-22 |
| Published date | 03 November 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13619322200900017 |
| Author | Anne Felton,Penny Arnold,Sarah Fairbank,Torsten Shaw |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Mental Health Review Journal Volume 14 Issue 3 September 2009 © Pier Professional Ltd 13
PRACTICE
Anne Felton
Mental Health Nurse/Lecturer, University of Nottingham, UK
Penny Arnold
Creative Projects Co-ordinator, Making Waves, UK
Sarah Fairbank
Clinical Psychologist, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, UK
Torsten Shaw
Director, Making Waves, UK
Using focus groups and
photography to evaluate
experiences of social inclusion
within rehabilitation adult
mental health services
Abstract
Tackling the social exclusion of people with mental health problems is a primary concern for contemporary
mental health services. A social inclusion network was developed to co-ordinate a small participatory
project arising as part of a practice development initiative. It aimed to examine the experiences of
involvement in the community from the perspectives of those using and working in rehabilitation adult
mental health services.
To gather information three different approaches were used. Networks between rehabilitation services
and community resources were identified using a mapping tool whilst focus groups were used to gain
more in-depth perceptions from rehabilitation staff. Finally, a participatory photo project was conducted
which involved working with people who use services to capture images of their involvement in their local
community. This article reports on the outcomes of the focus groups and photography project.
Findings suggested that services reported some success at developing partnerships within the community,
but discrimination still remained a significant obstacle. For those people living in the units, social inclusion
was an acutely subjective experience in which people continued to experience acceptance and inclusion
within mental health services and had made active choices in defining this as their community.
Key words
Social inclusion, community, photography, rehabilitation
Introduction
Social exclusion is characterised by a lack of
opportunity to participate in the economic
and social benefits of society (Labonte, 2004).
For many, this can involve a lack of access to
basic civil rights and diminished participation
within the community as a result of restricted
opportunities (Sayce & Curran, 2007; Royal
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