Exploring the Needs for Social Inclusion in Rural Ireland: Ballinora a Case Study
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Exploring the Needs for Social Inclusion in Rural Ireland: Ballinora a Case Study Martin Dorgan M Soc Sc Social Policy National University of Ireland Cork School of Applied Social Science October 2013 Head of Department Prof Fred Powell Research Supervisor Dr. Eluska Fernandez 1 Exploring the Needs for Social Inclusion in Rural Ireland: a Case Study of Ballinora Martin Dorgan CARL Research Project Name of student: Martin Dorgan Name of civil society Ballinora & District Community organization/community group: Association Supervisor(s): Dr. Eluska Fernandez Name and year of course: M Soc Sc Social Policy 2013 Date completed: 4th October 2013 2 What is Community-Academic Research Links? Community Academic Research Links (Glass et al.p 153) is a service provided by research institutes for the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in their region which can be grass roots groups, single issue temporary groups, but also well structured organisations. Research for the CSOs is carried out free of financial cost as much as possible. CARL seek to: • provide civil society with knowledge and skills through research and education; • provide their services on an affordable basis; • promote and support public access to and influence on science and technology; • create equitable and supportive partnerships with civil society organisations; • enhance understanding among policymakers and education and research institutions of the research and education needs of civil society, and • enhance the transferrable skills and knowledge of students, community representatives and researchers (www.livingknowledge.org). What is a CSO? We define CSOs as groups who are non-governmental, non-profit, not representing commercial interests, and/or pursuing a common purpose in the public interest. These groups include: trade unions, NGOs, professional associations, charities, grass-roots organisations, organisations that involve citizens in local and municipal life, churches and religious committees, and so on. 3 Why is this report on the web? The research agreement between the CSO, student and CARL/University states that the results of the study must be made public. We are committed to the public and free dissemination of research results. How do I reference this report? Author (year) Project Title, [online], School of Applied Social Studies, Community-Academic Research Links/University College Cork, Available from: http://www.ucc.ie/en/scishop/completed/ [Accessed on: date]. How can I find out more about the Community-Academic Research Links and the Living Knowledge Network? The UCC CARL website has further information on the background and operation of the Community-Academic Research Links at University College Cork, Ireland. http://carl.ucc.ie CARL is part of an international network of Science Shops. You can read more about this vibrant community and its activities on this website: http://www.scienceshops.org Disclaimer Notwithstanding the contributions by the University and its staff, the University gives no warranty as to the accuracy of the project report or the suitability of any material contained in it for either general or specific purposes. It will be for the Client Group, or users, to ensure that any outcome from the project meets safety and other requirements. The Client Group agrees not to hold the University responsible in respect of any use of the project results. Notwithstanding this disclaimer, it is a matter of record that many student projects have been completed to a very high standard and to the satisfaction of the Client Group. 4 Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................... p.7 Acknowledgements ............................................................................... p.8 Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................... p.9 1.1 Title ................................................................................................. p.9 1.2 Introduction and Background to the Research ............................... p.9 1.3 Rationale ......................................................................................... p.10 1.4 Scope of Research ........................................................................... p.11 1.5 Conclusion ..................................................................................... p.12 Chapter 2 Methodology .................................................................... p.13 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................... p.13 2.1.1 Qualitative Research .................................................................... p.14 2.2 The Research in Context: Background ........................................... p.14 2.3 Research Interest ............................................................................ p.15 2.4 Meetings ......................................................................................... p.15 2.5 Focus Groups .................................................................................. p.16 2.6 Purpose of Focus Groups ................................................................ p.17 2.7 Ethics ............................................................................................... p.17 2.8 Characteristics of Focus Groups .................................................... p.18 2.9 Weakness of Focus Groups ........................................................... p.19 2.10 Value of Focus Groups ................................................................ p.19 2.11 Conclusion ................................................................................... p.20 Chapter 3 Literature Review ............................................................ p.21 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................... p.21 3.2 Active Retirement ........................................................................... p.21 3.3 Age and Concepts of Age ............................................................... p.21 3.4 Older Age and Third Age ............................................................... p.22 3.5 Well Being ..................................................................................... p.22 3.6 Communities and Older Age .......................................................... p.23 3.7 Volunteer Action ........................................................................... p.24 3.8 Structured Dependency ................................................................... p.25 3.9 Social Capital .................................................................................. p.26 3.10 Age and Policy .............................................................................. p.28 3.11 Subsidiarity ................................................................................... p.29 3.12 Social Exclusion ........................................................................... p.30 3.13 Current Crisis ................................................................................ p.30 3.14 Rural Living .................................................................................. p.31 3.15 Active Retirement and Rural Community .................................... p.31 3.16 Positive Action and Active Retirement ........................................ p.32 3.17 Social Inclusion and Rural Community ........................................ p.32 3.18 Effective Active Retirement ......................................................... p.33 3.19 Volunteering as an Important Backdrop to Active Retirement .... p.34 3.20 Barriers to Participation ................................................................ p.35 3.21 The Effectiveness of Retirement Groups in Other Areas ............. p.36 3.22 Effective in a Rural Context ......................................................... p.37 3.22.1 Key characteristics .................................................................... p.37 3.22.2 Third Age Foundation ............................................................... p.38 3.22.3 Limiting factors .......................................................................... p.40 5 3.23 Outcomes and Benefits ................................................................. p.42 3.24 Conclusion .................................................................................. p.43 Chapter 4 ............................................................................................. p.45 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................... p.45 4.2 Context ........................................................................................... p.45 4.3 Focus Groups .................................................................................. p.46 4.4 Focus Groups Analysis ................................................................... p.47 4.4.1 Quality of Life for Older People ............................................... p.47 4.4.1.1 Closeness to town ..................................................................... p.48 4.4.1.2 Community spirit ...................................................................... p.48 4.4.1.3 Gender insight ........................................................................... p.49 4.4.1.4 Levels and nature of activities................................................... p.50 4.4.1.5 Future planning ......................................................................... p.51