Ground-breaking project uses theatre to explore the role of risk in the lives of disabled people.
This 'Risk Research Project' has been awarded funding from The National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund. The project, led by the Scottish consortium Altrum, will take 21 months to complete and will be delivered in partnership with Thistle Foundation, member of Altrum, and the University of Stirling.
For general information on the University of Stirling visit www.stir.ac.uk or contact Trudy Whyle, Communications Officer, on 01786 466 687 or email: trudy.whyle@stir.ac.uk or mediarelations@stir.ac.uk.
Brigid Daniel, Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling and principal investigator on the research project said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding which will be used to explore the views of people living with disabilities about the risks they may face. They have opinions about what professionals should be considering when they are making decisions about risks and protection – and we would like to hear them.
“This information will then be used to develop practice guidance which we hope will lead to improved involvement of people who use services, when it comes to making decisions about risk.”
The team from Stirling and the Thistle Foundation will use Forum Theatre, an innovative research methodology which consists of an experienced theatre group introducing scenarios which audience members are then invited to take part in and develop.
The audiences, made up of people who use Altrum’s services, will be brought together at various locations and their input into the development of storylines will be recorded. The video footage will then be studied in an effort to identify the key issues which these people believe involve risk and protection.
Diana Paton, Chief Executive of the Thistle Foundation and Treasurer of Altrum commented: “A certain element of risk taking is essential to enrich all our lives and this project will clarify what level of risk disabled people, who depend on support from others, want to have in theirs.”
A particularly interesting feature of the project is that the research team will include several disabled people. They will consult with 40 participants with disabilities, all of whom are clients of Altrum member organisations.
The project’s findings will be widely shared with social work and social care organisations, resulting in approximately 17,500 disabled people becoming more involved in decisions about risk and protection; hopefully increasing their level of choice and giving them more control over their lives.
Additionally, the project should provide social work professionals in approximately 300 organisations with increased knowledge of the decision-making skills required in risk assessment. The ultimate aim is that social policy will better reflect the views of people who access the services on offer.
Notes to Editors
Altrum is an umbrella organisation for groups and individuals who are committed to fostering creativity, community and citizenship for all. Altrum exists to:
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promote inclusion
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advance the power and interests of disabled people and others who are at risk of segregation and promote the closure of all institutional provision
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foster accountability in service organisations to the people who use them
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promote understanding of the dangers of institutionalisation and explain the value of inclusion and community development
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support the development of excellence in organisations, by supporting existing organisations and creating new ones
For more information visit www.altrum.org.uk or email info@altrum.org.uk.
Thistle Foundation is a Scottish charity that supports disabled people and those living with long term health conditions. Thistle Foundation is a boundary-pushing, pioneering organisation helping bring about a society where everyone has the right to feel involved and empowered to live the life they choose, regardless of their disabilities or health condition. For more information visit www.thistle.org.uk or contact Louise Page, Director of External Relations, on 0131 656 9935 or louise.page@thistle.org.uk.
The University of Stirling hosts the Scottish Child Care and Protection Network. The team at the Social Work Section, led by Professor Brigid Daniel, are experts on issues related to risk and protection. The Section runs qualifying courses in Social Work and post-qualifying Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. All courses are relevant to practice for those professionals engaged in improving outcomes for people who use social services. For more course information, please visit http://www.socialwork.stir.ac.uk/category/courses/cpd/.
