Community Work: A service and/or an intervention methodology?

Transcription

1 Community Work: A service and/or an intervention methodology? NG Hang-sau 伍杏修 Director, Services Development The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation Contact: hs.ng@rehabsociety.org.hk

2 Who am I? A social worker trained in Hong Kong Worked in YWCA as Community Worker for almost ten years during the 80 s. NLCDP in temporary housing areas in Kwai Tsing District One of the founders of the Tsing Yi Concern Group in mid 80 s Community Organizer of a patient self-help organization (laryngectomees( 無喉者 group) Health & social care setting: Community Rehabilitation Network of the HK Society for Rehabilitation

3 Community Work Service Ideology Job title Others Community Work Political Activities Intervention Method

4 Comparison of CW, CD & CO UK USA HK CW 社區工作 One of the interventions of social work Not commonly use One of the interventions CD 社區發展 Use more often in developing countries refer to self-help development project One of the models in community organizing Same as community work CO 社區組織 Refers to networking, collaboration and coordination of district / locality organizations Same as community work, one of the interventions of social work One of the approaches of community work

5 Definition Community Work as a process of raising social consciousness whereby people are encouraged through collective participation to identify, express and act on their needs a social work approach comprise of a series of planned actions with ultimate goals of achieving social justice and improving the quality of community life HKCSS CD Position Paper 1986

6 CD as Job Title Before the enactment of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance, Chapter 505, in 1998, there is no restriction and control over the use of the title social worker Community Worker 社區幹事 is the most commonly used job title refers to the work related to community building, community organizing and political activity in the community. It confused people in a way that any personnel involved in delivering services for the betterment of the community is community work. Nothing related to professional manner During the mid 80 s, over 30% of the District Councilors were bearing the job title as community worker,, but only a few were trained social workers

7 CD as a Particular Service Non-subvented projects during 60 s s to early 70s Community Centres services subvented and operated by SWD and NGOs. In the mid 80s, SWD withdrew its operation and handover them to HAD Subvented NLCDP started in Over 50 projects at its peak in 90s. Majority of the NLCDP are in deprived areas, like THAs,, Mark III-VI Redevelopment Estates, rural areas and old urban areas. Model cost and fixed establishment Transformed into Integrated Neighbourhood Projects in 90s and beyond Urban Renewal project supported by Land Development Corporation / Urban Redevelopment Council Geographical community

8 CD as an Intervention Method (1) One of the social work intervention methods, like case work and group work Community-based Youth Work: Concern on the return of sovereignty to China and constitutional/ political reform, formation of Youth Concern Groups, Youth Council and etc, like YMCA 關社小組 and District-based Concern Group 樂富青年關社計劃

9 CD as an Intervention Method (2) Community-based Rehabilitation Projects in Tuen Mun,, adopting CW approach, re: mobilize volunteers and people with disability and their carers in planning and execution of services. Focused on policy change and influence on resource allocation. Community is the agent for change. Community Rehabilitation Network is one of the examples in using CD approach to provide services for people with chronic health conditions. Promote self-help and mutual help is one of the strategies.

10 CD as an Intervention Method (3) Community-based Family Services in Tuen Mun,, aiming at prevention, provision of family life education and forming support networks within the locality In 80 s, HKCS established CB Family Service Centre in Chan King Estate and HKFWS set up its first Family Resource Centre in Butterfly Estate promoting integration of new arrivals into the community Services for older persons: forming of Elderly Council 老人評議會 and 老人權益促進會

11 CD as an Intervention Method (4) Basically, the applications refer to a functional communities which across geographical boundaries Employ quite a number of community work approaches, like networking, service integration, coordination and collaboration, community organizing, self-help and resource mobilization Target at policy change and influence resource allocation Right-based approach and voice to be heard

12 Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation u The Society is a registered charity. u The Society was founded in 1959 with the vision to play a proactive and pioneering role in building a caring and equal society for people with & without disability through the provision of quality services and advocacy for equal opportunities u The Society is dedicated to providing services to enhance the quality of life of people with disability or chronic illness and older adults, and to advocate for their equal opportunities in the social, civic and economic arena

13 Units of the HKSR (1) Community-based Rehabilitation Community Rehabilitation Network World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Rehabilitation Health & Wellness & Medical Rehabilitation Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Center on Health & Wellness Cheng Tak Yim Day Rehabilitation Center Vocational Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation & Retraining Centre Wah Hong Convenience Store Limited Elite Business Services Limited Employaid Fund

14 Units of the HKSR (2) Access & Transport & Travel Easy Access Travel Rehab Bus & Easy Access Transport Accessible Hire Car Rehab Volunteer Long Term Care Yee Hong Heights for the Elderly in Shenzhen Elderly Home in Sandy Bay (Under construction)

15 CRN Administration & Funding Initiated by 6 organizations, included HK Medical Association, University of HK and patients organizations in 1994 Managed by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation Experimental project started in April 1994, funding supported by Jockey Club Charities Trust & Lotteries Fund April 1997, regular subvention from Social Welfare Department 6 Centres Hong Kong wide, expect to expand to 8

16 Mission To empower persons with chronic health condition and their carers to improve their quality of life through building up of their self management and mutual-aid self-help capacity To facilitate the persons with chronic health condition to advocate for equal opportunities and social inclusion

17 Strategies of CRN Individual empowerment Collective Empowerment Self- Self-care/ Self-help Advocacy acceptance management Mutual aid Public awareness

18 Services Provided by CRN CR SERVICES DIVISION: Self-care management courses Therapeutic groups Exercise rehabilitation Social & recreational programs Sustain MASH Groups PATIENT MUTUAL SUPPORT DIVISION: Support & consultancy to mutual aid & selfhelp groups Leadership training Policy concern & advocacy Volunteer mobilization Self-help research

19 Staffing & Professional Volunteers Social Workers Physiotherapists Occupational Therapists Registered Nurses Professional Advisors (Doctors, Nutritionists, Speech Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, etc.)

20 CRN Community Rehabilitation Mutual-aid & Self-help Mutual-aid Supportive Network Patients Self-help Organization Information sharing, Community education & Advocacy Mutual-aid Self-help Group Information sharing, Emotional support Peer Visitation Scheme Sharing of coping method, Emotional support Psychosocial Intervention Psychotherapeutic Group Changing clients perception & self-valuation Patient Education Rehabilitation Course / Self- Management Course Transfer of knowledge & skills Self Management Mission of CRN PMSD CRSC Both

21 CRN Approaches Networking Empowerment Community organizing Group work Am I right? Go ahead!

22 Networking & Collaboration collaborate with other health care providers, i.e. hospitals & NGOs connect patient self-help groups establish service interfacing

23 Empowerment Strengthen clients ability to cope under stressful situation acquire knowledge & assert their rights make optimal use of community resources develop a more positive & potent sense of self build up collective identity participate in self-help & volunteer service

24 Community Organizing Formation of patient-based self-help organizations & carers groups Develop MASH within these patient self-help organizations Mobilization of volunteers Formation of issue concern groups Form strategic alliance with other health care providers Policy concern & advocacy

25 Group Work emphasis on sharing of common experience provide therapeutic & rehabilitative functions different kinds of groups psycho-educational group (professional led) Self-management program (professional & peer led) psychotherapy group (professional led) Support group (professional & peer led) MASH group (peer led)