Groupwork in Social Care by Phillips Julie;

Author:Phillips, Julie; [Phillips, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Chapter 5

Physical Environments

The importance of the environment in which groups are held has perhaps received less attention than any other area of preparation for groupwork. The factors relating to the physical environment in which groups are held, with which practitioners may be concerned, would seem to be threefold:

1.the degree to which group members identify the environment with a particular agency or institution, and the possible effects of this identification on member commitment and motivation

2.the suitability of the environment for the planned activities of a group

3.the possible effects of the physical provision on group tasks, members’ attitudes and behaviour.

Of these three 1 and 2 are the environmental factors to which most practitioners give attention. There is an obvious overlap between all three areas and in the following discussion they will be treated together. Literature related to the third factor is mainly taken from the field of environmental psychology.

Identity and suitability

The organizers of the practice groups had clearly considered some of these three elements in their planning stages.

The youth service’s Girls’ Group was deliberately held in the community centre because it was important that the girls identify their use of the centre with the group’s positive activities and use of the male-dominated equipment, so that they would continue to use these in a mixed-group situation.

The occupational therapist organizing the Anxiety Management Group held it in the community mental health teamroom. She thought this was not entirely suitable for the group’s purpose since the room was too small for the relaxation exercises, although good for the group teaching element. In terms of members’ identity, the room was felt to be less stigmatized than a hospital setting, but the presence of a residential mental health unit next door was felt possibly to stigmatize the venue.

The social services’ Men’s Group for men who are main carers of young children’s venue was chosen with care. The workers decided not to hold the group in social services premises in case this had any negative identities for members. Instead the group was held in a family centre, known to two of the members. The room was comfortable, furnished for adults and was felt to have a relaxing ethos. The workers thought it to be very suitable for the purpose.

The probation service Male Offenders’ Group was deliberately held on probation service premises since it was intended to foster a positive image of the service. The room was large and comfortable with a pool table, and tea and coffee making facilities. It was felt to be a relaxed environment and very appropriate for the purpose.

The Positive Parenting Group used the family centre dining-room. This was usually used as a coffee and social room by centre users and so was seen as a relaxing environment. It was also large enough for people to sit out of the group to have private conversations, thus providing some user choice. It was felt to be very suitable for this group.

The Women’s Group and the Anger Management Group were both held in the same agency group room.

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