Connecting local support: a qualitative study exploring the role of voluntary organisations in long-term condition management

Morris, Rebecca, Kirk, Susan, Kennedy, Anne P., Vassilev, Ivaylo, Mathieson, Amy, Jeffries, Mark, Blickem, Christian, Brooks, Helen, Sanders, Caroline and Rogers, Anne (2015) Connecting local support: a qualitative study exploring the role of voluntary organisations in long-term condition management. Chronic Illness, 11 (2), 140-155. (doi:10.1177/1742395314551098). (PMID:25199957)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To examine the role of community groups to support people living with long-term conditions and the organisational factors that influence this role.

METHODS:
Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with voluntary group organisers purposefully sampled in Greater Manchester from a local database of community groups. Interviews explored the organisations role in supporting people living with a long-term condition, their social networks and the origins of the groups.

RESULTS:
Respondents' construed their role in supporting individual capacity for management either explicitly (e.g. providing exercise) or implicitly (e.g. emotional support). This role was influenced by a combination of group ideology, funding and social networks. Analysis highlights the role of the non-clinical setting, the social support provided within the group, as well as organisational processes that influenced their capacity to support people living with long-term conditions.

CONCLUSION:
By examining the organisation of voluntary groups, this study highlights the way in which they may support or constrain access to an extended range of support for people with long-term conditions. This paper has implications for commissioning of services by the health service from the third sector because of the differing ideological perspectives and limited operational capacity

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Contributors

Author: Anne P. Kennedy

Author: Ivaylo Vassilev

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