Abstract: Spousal dementia carers face loss, ambiguous grief, and guilt during their partners transition into long-term care (LTC) (Gibson et al., 2019). The Carers Transition Group is an effective group intervention for spousal dementia carers who are facing the tumultuous transition of their partners entering LTC. A support needs assessment tool based on the CSNAT (Ewing et al, 2013) was used to identify individual and group carer support needs and assure that group sessions accurately reflect the same. Mutual support with other spousal dementia carers coupled with psychoeducational and psychosocial interventions both inside and outside of group sessions led to overall positive outcomes.
Colonisation and apartheid profoundly disrupted African cultural, social, and economic systems, separating communities from indigenous identities, languages, and practices of mutuality. These historical processes entrenched inequality through economic exploitation, displacement, and the imposition of culturally inappropriate policies, while generating dependency and feelings of inferiority. Yet, African communities have demonstrated resilience, preserving traditions through the principles of Ubuntu and mutual aid. Such practices, stokvels, burial societies, and other indigenous forms of collective support, have long enabled communities to respond to crises, marginalisation, and unmet needs, fostering both individual and collective well-being. Despite their significance, these practices remain underexplored within professional social work, which continues to be dominated by Western theories and models of intervention. This article examines the role of indigenous mutual aid group practices in the South African context and considers their relationship with the African worldview of Ubuntu. It argues for the recognition of indigenous knowledge as central to indigenising social work and proposes culturally appropriate approaches that integrate mutual aid groups into a developmental welfare framework.
Teamwork is a core employability attribute for business management graduates, yet what it entails at entry level is often left unspecified. Analysis of 75 graduate job advertisements, triangulated with 11 employer interviews, yields a behaviourally specific profile of effective entry-level teamwork. Using a groupwork lens, findings cluster into three domains: task approach and completion, social interaction and collaboration, and the individual in the organisational system. The result is a behaviourally specific checklist to guide curriculum design, assessment and onboarding, aligning preparation with employer expectations.
This article introduces a treatment approach with sexual offenders that centers around groupwork. Sexual offender outcome literature is reviewed briefly and an introduction to William Glasser’s choice theory is provided, as it is the theoretical basis for this intervention. A case example is included for conceptualization and discussion. Conclusions highlight the importance of using a strengths-based, present and future-focused approach to treatment with individuals who have been convicted of a sexual offense.
SPANISH: Este artículo resume el proceso de desarrollo de un grupo abierto e híbrido (psicoeducacional y de apoyo) para personas migrantes en el corredor migratorio de México-Estados Unidos. En este sentido, el objetivo del grupo gira en torno a abordar de manera colectiva las estrategias de afrontamiento y resiliencia, una comprensión del panorama general del fenómeno migratorio y la violencia estructural vivida, y la creación de redes de apoyo. El desarrollo de este grupo ha sido posible a raíz de la alianza transnacional y colaboración continua entre estudiantes (ahora ex-alumnas) de una institución académica estadounidense y un albergue para personas migrantes en México. Se incluye también una explicación sobre cómo la pandemia del COVID-19 impactó el desarrollo de este grupo —dado a que la construcción del mismo dio inicio antes de que este fenómeno tuviera lugar en el mundo—, y la manera en la que las autoras supieron aprovechar positivamente este gran imprevisto. De manera complementaria, las autoras enfatizan, con base en la positiva experiencia de esta alianza transnacional, en la necesidad de colaboración continua de la academia con albergues para migrantes, con el fin de desarrollar intervenciones grupales que favorezcan la salud mental de esta población. ENGLISH: This article summarizes the process of developing an open, hybrid (psychoeducational and support) group for migrant persons in the Mexico-United States migration corridor. To this end, the objective of the group revolves around collectively addressing coping and resilience strategies, an understanding of the migration phenomenon and the structural violence experienced by group members, as well as the creation of support networks. The development of this group has been possible thanks to a transnational alliance and continued collaboration between students (now alumni) of a US-based university and a shelter for migrant persons in Mexico. The article also covers a description of how COVID-19 impacted the development of the group (which had been initiated before the global pandemic,) and the ways in which the authors were able to take advantage of this unforeseen circumstance. Moreover, and based on their positive experience with the transnational collaboration, the authors emphasize the need for continued collaboration between academia and migrant shelters in order to develop group work interventions, which can benefit the mental wellbeing of this population.
This article discusses a conceptualization of working with groups from an expanded logic, circumscribed in a collectivist perspective of occupational therapy practices. Since groups are one of the profession’s forms of intervention, its references, depending on the perspective of the actions and even the contexts involved, are the most diverse to seek solutions to collective needs. Thus, this article aims to: 1 - problematize the collective practices of occupational therapists in Brazil since the 1970s; 2 - document the actions of nine occupational therapists who work from a collective perspective in different regions of Brazil; and 3 - discuss how groups have been thought about/carried out in the practices of occupational therapists. The text describes the general aspects of the narrative research that gave rise to the article, carried out using a participatory model. The results expose a mosaic of experiences, guided by different references and perspectives depending on the contexts and needs of individuals, groups and collectives in territories and communities. The enormous day-to-day challenges faced by professionals who carry out their actions based on paradigms that are different from traditional models and, in a way, go against contemporary trends, are also presented and discussed. Finally, strategies for improving these processes are suggested. Este artigo discute uma concepção do trabalho com grupos a partir de uma lógica ampliada, circunscrita em uma perspectiva coletivista das práticas da terapia ocupacional. Sendo os grupos uma das formas de intervenção da profissão, seus referenciais, a depender da perspectiva das ações e mesmo dos contextos inseridos, são os mais diversos para buscar soluções das necessidades coletivas. Assim, este artigo objetiva: 1 - problematizar as práticas coletivas de terapeutas ocupacionais, no Brasil, desde a década de 1970; 2 – documentar as ações de nove terapeutas ocupacionais que atuam numa perspectiva coletiva, em diferentes regiões do Brasil; e 3 – discutir de que forma os grupos têm sido pensados/ realizados nas práticas de terapeutas ocupacionais. O texto descreve os aspectos gerais da pesquisa narrativa que deu origem ao artigo, realizada num modelo participativo. Os resultados expõem um mosaico de experiências, orientadas por diferentes referenciais e perspectivas a depender dos contextos e das necessidades dos indivíduos, grupos e coletivos, nos territórios e comunidades. Os enormes desafios no cotidiano dos profissionais que desenvolvem suas ações a partir de paradigmas distintos dos modelos tradicionais, e de certa forma, na contramão das tendências contemporâneas, também são apresentados e discutidos. Ao final, estratégias para aprimorar os referidos processos são sugeridas.
The Colombian experience of intervention with entrepreneurial girls and development agents in Ciudad Bolivar in Bogota-Colombia, made it possible from the systematization -as an approach- to reflect on the pedagogical practice developed by the Fundación Niñas de Luz from the individual and group mentoring with the girls, from an analytical viewpoint from Social Work with Groups. In this way, the article focuses on exposing the context and conditions of the territory from which the girls come -from a gender approach- and the institutional framework that accompanies them, the methodological horizon of the study, and the findings focused on: the linking of the girls to the Foundation from the viewpoint of Social Work with Groups, the individual-group mentoring as a social intervention device, the entrepreneurial girls as development agents, and the challenges of the experience in times of pandemic. La experiencia colombiana de intervención con niñas emprendedoras y agentes de desarrollo en Ciudad Bolívar en Bogotá-Colombia, posibilitó desde la sistematización -como enfoque- reflexionar la práctica pedagógica que desarrolla la Fundación Niñas de Luz desde la mentoría individual y grupal con las niñas, a partir de una mirada analítica desde el Trabajo Social con Grupos. De esta manera, el artículo se centra en exponer el contexto y condiciones del territorio del cual provienen las niñas -desde un enfoque de género- y el marco institucional que les acompaña, el horizonte metodológico del estudio, y los hallazgos enfocados en: la vinculación de las niñas a la Fundación desde la mirada del Trabajo Social con Grupos, la mentoría individual-grupal como dispositivo de intervención social, las niñas emprendedoras como agentes de desarrollo, y los desafíos de la experiencia en tiempos de pandemia.
At the end of the 1990s, due to the impact of neoliberal policies, a politicised popular world began to take shape in Argentina, based on the inscription of organised unemployed workers in the public space. Two decades later, it is still in force, although it has undergone reconfigurations. In this article, we aim to understand the groupness that emerges from processes of participation and popular organisation in north-western Argentina. In order to do so, we address three axes of analysis: 1) The economic-labour issue and its relationship with groupality; 2) Women as protagonists in community organisation processes; and 3) Popular politicity. We believe that these perspectives are relevant to study the processes that make possible and are made possible by the emergence of groupality. The methodological design is qualitative, and focuses on a particular initiative that helps us to understand the characteristics of popular participation and its impact on subjectivities: Casa de Atención y Acompañamiento Comunitario ‘Ángel con Amor’, located in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy. What we present here is the result of the analysis of information obtained from different techniques: semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis, participant observation and participatory feedback. A fines de la década de 1990, por el impacto de políticas neoliberales, fue configurándose en Argentina un mundo popular politizado, a partir de la inscripción en el espacio público de trabajadores desocupados organizados. Pasadas dos décadas, aún se encuentra vigente, aunque atravesó reconfiguraciones. En el artículo nos proponemos comprender la grupalidad que emerge a partir de procesos de participación y organización popular, en el noroeste argentino. Para ello abordamos tres ejes de análisis:1) Lo económico-laboral y su relación con la grupalidad; 2) Las mujeres como protagonistas en procesos de organización comunitaria; y 3) La politicidad popular. Creemos que estas perspectivas son pertinentes para estudiar, con un anclaje de realidad, los procesos que posibilitan y son posibilitados por la emergencia de la grupalidad. El diseño metodológico es cualitativo, y pone foco en el recorte de un fenómeno particular que nos ayuda a comprender las características de la participación popular y el impacto en las subjetividades: Casa de Atención y Acompañamiento Comunitario ‘Ángel con Amor’, situada en la ciudad de San Salvador de Jujuy. Lo que presentamos es producto del análisis de información obtenida a partir de diferentes técnicas: entrevistas semi-estructuradas, análisis documental, observación participante e instancias participativas de retroalimentación.
This article reflects on the contribution of collective occupations to social transformation processes in a small town in Buenos Aires Province: Santa Clara del Mar, Argentina. On March 20, 2020, imposed a lockdown which, among other things, required people to stay at home. In response, a group of residents came together to carry out community activities with the aim of providing assistance and support to the most vulnerable people in the community. This group of people called themselves ‘Ayni’, after some Andean communities, emphasizing reciprocity. This article describes the community organization that emerged among this group of residents. It explores the individual and collective transformations that arose, seeking to construct knowledge based on the logic of social actors. A qualitative research methodology used for data collection was structured, using the techniques of participant observation and in-depth interviews. Other data sources used included a WhatsApp group and written records of ‘Ayni’ meetings. As part of the main conclusions. This work highlights the value attributed to collective occupations as a possibility for building community networks in people’s daily lives.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common, chronic, and progressive neurological condition that is associated with the loss of dopamine-producing cells deep in the brain. Every year, over 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s and over six million people worldwide are living with the disease (Girouz & Farris, 2019). Parkinson’s is classified as a movement disorder because the most recognized symptoms are movement related; however, psychological symptoms are also associated Parkinson’s. The primary psychological symptoms are depression, and anxiety. This group proposal is designed to address primary and secondary psychological symptoms in patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, or any other neuromuscular disorder.
The World Café method has proven invaluable as a participatory tool in community development and, of growing potential within qualitative research. This article discusses its application with groups of children on St Helena Island. The project aimed to unlock children’s transformative potential, by understanding their lived experiences within creative methods of group engagement. In doing so, it aimed to support children in developing their dialogue about what mattered to them, situating new understandings and possibilities. The World Café method brought to light the complexities of social roles within contested spaces, unifying children in a dialogue for desired change. The findings showed children’s motivation to be heard, and transformative dialogue emerged, continuing through discussions and graphic recordings from the Café events. Although children’s diversity required careful support for inclusion, underscoring the need for supporting reflection alongside change talk to pursue social justice and elevate their societal positions to influence change
This article focuses on group leadership during times of crisis, using an example of a social work practitioners’ mutual aid group formed during the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States. As the group learned, external crises change over time and this can impact group formation and the development of mutual aid, as well as leadership. We observed that group leadership supported group participants to and through Bolsinger’s (2020) adaptive phase of development during the pandemic and its associated personal stressors. This occurred during the storming – and into the norming – stages of the group (Tuckman, 1965; Bonebright, 2010). Ongoing participant reflection and group meta-reflection yielded broader understanding of interactions between stages of group development, and phases of crisis. In addition, it highlighted an associated need for flexible leadership that is sensitive to the changing external stressors during times of social or environmental crisis. Such leadership can also undergird the development of mutual aid among group participants, an important consideration at any time.
Group work’s prominence within masters’ level social work education in the U.S. has steadily diminished over the years. Simultaneously, anecdotal reports indicate group work is continuously utilized in practice. The authors developed a survey for internship supervisors at their home institution to assess 1) the use of group work within the field; 2) the desirability of group work expertise as an employment/internship consideration; and 3) internship supervisors’ assessment of their own knowledge and preparation for supervision around group work issues, and their interest in group work continuing education and/or certification programs. Findings suggest that group work is widely used in social work practice settings, group work expertise is desired in hiring interns and new professionals, and while internship supervisors feel competent in supervising interns, they are interested in participating in continuing education and group work certificate programs. Recommended advocacy strategies to enhance the status of group work education in U.S. higher education are discussed.
Community services groupwork significantly changed throughout COVID-19 due to the use of online practice. Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW), a relationship and counselling service in NSW Australia, found that the same level of client feedback and outcomes were achieved using online groupwork as compared to in-person groupwork. Often the problems with online groupwork occur when practitioners use the same skills as those commonly used in a webinar. An engaging group space is created when cameras are continually used, everyone is always unmuted, and strong interpersonal links and connections are facilitated between the participants. In online groupwork, there is a greater expression of disinhibition. While this may be problematic, it also presents a greater reflective space for change. This article reviews what is online groupwork, and the processes and techniques used to ensure that online groupwork delivers similar results as in-person practice. It is then the client’s choice as to what mode of service delivery is the most useful and beneficial to them.
As pressures on land and resources increase, so does an urgent call for social action and self-directed community groupwork to better address ecological concerns. Conserving the world’s myriad of species and their habitats is a top priority for ecosystem health; this is dependent on society’s actions and can in turn generate significant value for society. Designing and implementing models with positive social and ecological impacts requires multiple stakeholders to implement social actions that mutually benefit, and in some cases positively reinforce, each other. Collaborations born out of self-directed community groupwork are especially necessary for rural wildlife conservation and in areas of intense human-wildlife conflicts. These collaborations engage stakeholders, including locals, tourists, and ecologists, in partnerships for sustainable social action. Along Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park’s southern boundary, ecotourism and its subsequent socio-economic development opportunities have empowered local communities to lead conservation action as exemplified by the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI). The CRCI is a culmination of self-directed community groupwork that evolved during the Covid-19 pandemic; the lack of international tourists and the long stall in tourism had a resounding impact on the local communities and negatively affected local employment, interactions, and the establishment of community development projects. Instead of turning to poaching, communities pushed to reintroduce white rhino to the Hwange ecosystem on their very own communal lands in efforts to attract more tourists to the area. The CRCI aims to pioneer a replicable and scalable model for ecotourism and wildlife conservation while concurrently tackling global issues like poverty and biodiversity loss. Key words: Community Rhino Conservation Initiative, Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, Conservation, Education, Healthcare, Water Security, Food Security, Ecotourism, Pandemic, Southern White Rhino, Community, Sustainability, Cooperation, Integration, Social Action, Self- Directed Groupwork, and Community Groupwork Practice.
The authors use the term ‘street groupwork’ to present the practices of Bharat Bhavna (literal translation: India thinking), a community-based movement in the Maniktala district of Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal. Notions of time and place are used to contrast street groupwork with more formalised groupwork, referencing the Gandhian notion of swadeshi, a commitment to immediate surroundings. This is not a parochial devotion, and the chapter explores how street groupworkers build alliances with other groups, linking groupwork with community organisation. Street groupwork is fluid, inventive and improvisational, and the group leaders live the lives of the community with whom they work. The style of their work is best described as immersive and the range of activities is enormous, from small group Indian dance classes to large-scale environmental and social justice campaigning. An explicit social and political philosophy lies at the heart of street groupwork – the Maniktala manifestation is environmental and socialist – with a mission to educate ‘the street’ to develop political awareness through group activities. The authors make the case that it is important to recognise the groupwork in street groupwork, and its significance for the wider family of group practice.
Over the past decade, both authors have been members of the AFUM statewide executive committee. The group holds regular monthly meetings during the academic year. It has become apparent to both authors that undertaking this responsibility successfully requires a great deal of support. The AFUM executive committee has utilized the concepts identified by Sulman in his seminal work identifying the dynamics of mutual aid group work. Instead of remaining a mere theoretical concept, the mutual aid group work model holds substantial practical implications that have been integrated into the AFUM executive committee's efforts. This paper demonstrates the application of this modality and proposes its potential adoption by other union organizations.
