Applied Social Studies - Reports
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Item Everyday technologies for identifying loneliness: opportunities, challenges and future directions(ALONE, 2023) Bantry-White, Eleanor; Zafeiridi, Evi; O’Reilly, Aileen; Irish Research Council; ALONEThe briefing paper reports findings from workshops and focus groups that elicited the perspectives of older adults and support services on the use of everyday technologies for identifying and supporting people experiencing loneliness. These findings were discussed at a symposium on ‘Inclusive Dialogue about Sensing Technologies for Loneliness’ held at University College Cork on 19th June 2024. A description of the symposium themes is integrated with the findings presented in this document.Item Innovating through adversity(Cork Cultural Companions, 2021) Bantry-White, Eleanor; Desmond, Elaine; Government of IrelandThis research provides an evaluation of two programmes offered as part of the COVIDProofing Cultural Companions initiative within Cork Cultural Companions, which began in January, 2020. Cultural Companions aims to provide increased opportunities for older people wishing to engage with Ireland’s vibrant arts and culture scene (and arts organisations wishing to expand their audiences) but who have no one to go with. The scheme creates local and voluntary networks of older people interested in the arts and culture in order that they may accompany each other to arts events. It seeks to connect people with the arts and with other people and recognises that staying connected is good for physical and mental wellbeing. The start of Cultural Companions coincided with the start of another kind – namely, the ‘new normal’ associated with COVID-19. The pandemic directly impacted upon the two central pillars of the new initiative – all live entertainment was cancelled, and the target age cohort of the initiative was obliged to self-isolate. COVID-Proofing Cultural Companions was established with the aim of exploring the Cultural Companions’ response to this situation – which involved seeking funding for and organising their own online events. This report begins with an overview of ageing in Ireland and identifies issues important to the goals and activities of Cork Cultural Companions. It then examines the experience of five participants and four facilitators and organisers of two of these events – Tea and Ballet and Clay Modelling. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the research explores the contribution of the arts to resilience in times of crisis. Participants reported how the events allowed them to feel a sense of connection, control, freedom, and escape in an oppressive context marked by restriction, fear, and uncertainty. The study highlights how the arts and the social are mutually reinforcing. Participants in the Clay Modelling, involved in online learning of the method in their homes, noted the loss of the social aspect of being able to check with a teacher or others in a class. The Tea and Ballet, on the other hand, did not involve participants in an activity. Instead, it featured the history of the ballet, Giselle, as presented by a former ballerina from her home. The evaluation of the event highlighted how the social connection, although online, was enriched through the sharing of a love of ballet. The evaluation provides support for the ethos of the Cultural Companions initiative – namely that a meaningful shared experience of a cultural event translates into more meaningful social connections. The evaluation of the Clay Modelling highlights, however, that events are not equal in this regard with those requiring the development of a practical skill more likely to work better in person than online. Nonetheless, the study illustrates how the online events served as a stepping-stone, attracting members to the activity who would not otherwise have attended in person due to the lack of confidence that comes with social isolation. In some cases, the research highlights how the online event led participants to seek out the experience in person. The study explores how the events were a positive experience for organisers and facilitators, as well as participants. They emerged through creative collaboration between a diverse network of community supports which Cultural Companions, as an initiative, was able to bring together. This emphasised the shared belief of the organisations and individuals involved that the arts had something significant to offer in a time of crisis, particularly for an age cohort who were designated as high risk within it. While the focus of Cultural Companions is to address social isolation, the evaluation illustrates that not all the participants who joined Cultural Companions identified as being socially isolated. This suggests the potential for broadening engagement in terms of reaching those who would specifically identify as being socially isolated in line with the programme’s central aim. It would also be beneficial to identify strategies to engage men in the events and programmes. Building up a picture of the needs and interests of members through a database would support planning and ensure events remain relevant as membership expands. Involving members within the design of events and programmes may also improve ownership and engagement. Facilitating events both online and in-person is responsive to the diverse needs of older adults, some who prefer to join online. The evaluation illustrates the importance of careful facilitation to allow everyone a chance to speak, whether in online or live events. Supporting access to technology that lends itself well to participation also needs to be maintained. The evaluation suggests a need to extend the reach of the initiative so that it includes all those who would benefit from it, thus ensuring that Cork Cultural Companions continues to make a valuable contribution to the wellbeing of older adults across Cork city and county.Item Pathways towards stable housing for parents and children exiting residential services(The Housing Agency, 2024-06) Buckley, Margaret; Busteed, Edith; The Housing Agency, IrelandThis report is the result of the research project Pathways towards Stable Housing for Parents and Children Exiting Residential Services, which was funded by the Housing Agency Research Support Programme. This research was conducted in collaboration with Childhood Matters in the Bessborough Centre throughout 2022. Childhood Matters is a residential support and assessment service for parents with infant children.While living on the unit, parents take part in a parenting assessment while also engaging in a programme of therapeutic support and key working tailored to meet their individual needs. Multidisciplinary assessments of parenting capacity are provided throughout using a framework that is underpinned by Infant Mental Health and Parenting Development. Parents and children live on site for sixteen weeks, before transitioning back into the community. The lack of appropriate, accessible housing results in many parents being discharged to homeless services either with their children or alone, with many of the children being placed in foster care due to their parents’ living situations. The lack of access to suitable accommodation places parents and children at significant risk, both in the short-term and longterm. This issue is not isolated to people leaving Childhood Matters in the Bessborough Centre and can be observed in a number of different residential settings. This research documents the necessity of including parents and children exiting tertiary services, who are facing homelessness and housing instability, in future policy development. A viable and practical model for successful transition from residential services to living in the community is needed in Ireland. Currently, there are few pathways available to people, and particularly families, who are exiting residential settings and facing housing precarity, instability or homelessness. Through gathering the views of service users (both past and present) in the Parent and Infant Unit in Childhood Matters, Local Authority staff in Homeless Services, staff in NGOs, and combining with data of homeless service use, housing supports and Childhood Matters, a picture emerges of possible routes towards accessible, suitable and stable accommodation options. Amalgamating these findings with the economics of homeless services, a model for supported housing aimed at assisting families, who may have complex needs, exiting residential settings into accommodation in the community was developed.Item Learning disrupted: Young people with disabilities’ access to and experiences of learning and workplace-based training during COVID-19. Easy-read summary.(University College Cork, 2022-05) Edwards, Claire; Harold, Gill; Irish Research CouncilWe carried out research to find out what it was like for young people with disabilities to learn and do work experience during COVID-19. We wanted to know what some of the positive things were about having to learn from home, but also the difficulties. The research was carried out by researchers at University College Cork, with the National Learning Network. We spoke to four groups of people: Young people with disabilities who go to the National Learning Network; Family members; National Learning Network staff; Employers who give work placements to young people.Item Learning disrupted: Young people with disabilities’ access to and experiences of learning and workplace-based training during COVID-19(University College Cork, 2022-05) Edwards, Claire; Harold, Gill; Irish Research Council; Kelly; National Learning Network CorkIt has been widely acknowledged that people with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, having faced significant restrictions in their access to services and supports, with consequences for social networks and participation in society. Opportunities to access training and employment services as a route to inclusion are one area that has been recognised as adversely affected. This study, conducted in partnership with the National Learning Network (NLN), explores some of the impacts and challenges faced by young people with disabilities aged 18-30 (including people with intellectual disabilities (ID), autism and mental health difficulties) attending learning and vocational training during COVID-19. It also investigates how alternative learning pathways and models of work placement might be promoted as we continue to grapple with the long-term effects of the pandemic. The research is based on a small-scale qualitative study of 11 young people with disabilities aged 18-30 participating in a skills and vocational training programme at NLN during the first stage of the pandemic. It also includes interviews with family members and focus groups with NLN staff and employers who provide work placements to young people.