Principles of Community Development through Social Work
Community development is embedded in the act of social work that strives to bring developments in the manner in which the individuals within the community interact with each other and the wider community. The principles of community development are community participation, community ownership, empowerment, lifelong learning, inclusion, social action, self help and networking (Green and Haines 2015). Community development through social work can foster the strength of the civil society and prioritise the actions taken up within the communities. Social economic and cultural perspectives are given equal attention while empowering the local community. Suitable community development helps individuals to recognise their potential and respond appropriately to the issues that are being faced while living in the community (Warburton 2013). The present essay explores community development theory and practice through the case study of Yiriman Project and takes on a critical approach for appreciating it. The essay aims to highlight structural theories and social inequalities in the local community. These equalities refer to the socio-political-cultural structures within the community. The method of community development as applied to the case study has been discussed.
The Yiriman Project, starting in the year 2000, is a youth organisation that is famous for being a novice and effective approach to youth participation and development in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is an illustration of how individuals from isolated communities in the north of Australia organise bush trips that are commonly referred to as ‘back to country’ trips. The motive behind this approach is to rejuvenate the connection between elders, young and other community members. This step serves as a means of having young people take part in the experiences of life and live life to the fullest. In addition, it acts as a tool for leading to several events including participation of young people in cultural education, land care, economic and science development. The story that the Yiriman Project has to offer is a rich example of multiple benefits of connecting intergenerational contact and carrying out practical activities. It is fundamentally an opportunity to return to their country for practising indigenous custom and lore and involve the present generation in serving their community. It is also a reflection of how land-based activity and traditional culture are perceived by indigenous youths (Palmer et al. 2006). The different activities that are taken up include four week long bush trips together with cultural mentors and cultural elders. Through this method, the ‘at-risk’ individuals are exposed to their connection with the community at large. Cultural responsibilities are enhanced through active participation in activities such as bush foods, singing, dancing, bush medicine, storytelling, traditional language, and looking after the country. Weekend activities are more famous within the population.
The Yiriman Project: A Case Study
By setting up a relationship between the young ones and the elder ones, Yiriman project attempts to develop the community by having an influence of the elders on the younger generation is a positive manner. The organisation is concerned about the fact that the young generation is on the verge of causing much harm to them through drugs and challenging the law. The main agenda of the project is therefore to assist the indigenous youths who are at risk of unhealthy behaviours. A culturally appropriate manner is followed in doing so by setting up collaboration with relevant agencies for developing culturally safe strategies for addressing concerns of suicide and self-harm (yiriman.org.au 2017). Wilson (2014) has highlighted that exhibiting a culturally safe community development approach is the most sound measure for community development approach. Based upon the principles highlighted by the authors, it can be stated that the Yiriman Project is one of the best community development initiative as it connects the indigenous youth with their culture and increases their sense of community ownership of factors such as alcohol abuse, mental illness and suicide.
The Yiriman Project has a top-down development approach towards health promotion. The top-down approach to social work and health is perceived to start from a large basic unit. This form of development is diverse in its nature. Such programs are known to focus on individual behaviours and bring in more resources. A standardised approach is taken up in this case. Directed and repetitive work might be involved in this case. The top-down model bears a great value of philosophy and practice. The model is structured around the utilisation of professional leadership that is held up by external resources used for planning, implementing and evaluating the development program. Yiriman Project uses this model to focus on the provision of professional leadership for the overall development process together with supportive concrete services. Through a valuable form of leadership, the members of the program are to access the provided services and get exposed to changes within the perception of the individuals. It is significant that the behaviours of the individuals are changed (Palmer 2013). Hart (2013) criticises the top down programs and the approach that is taken. The first issue is that there are fewer opportunities for innovation. There is hardly any scope for demonstrating innovativeness and there are high chances of feeling constrained. It is likely that Yiriman would not be presented with chances to apply innovativeness in its different initiatives. The second challenge for Yiriman is to combat the lack of recognition. According to Singer et al. (2015), top down development is an approach to program development in which the progress is possible through defining and outlining the require elements regarding the fundamental elements. At every step of this form of development each of the elements that are undefined previously gets defined. For achieving this a suitable collection of more basic elements are required in practice, such a development might not be possible.
Top-Down Development Approach towards Health Promotion
As opined by Gilchrist and Taylor (2016) empowerment in community development is a pivotal tool that values, enhances and respects the ability of individuals to take control over their lives. The Yiriman Project has drawn the attention of social workers in Australia for giving prominence to the empowerment perspective of social work. The empowerment perspective is known to help the target population by providing them with a certain set of skills and resources that permit them to stand on their own and be independent. Terms like self-determination and autonomy stand for empowerment. A natural power relationship exists between the clients and the social workers. When the social worker feels that empowerment is to be carried out, the situation is such that it seems that the social workers have more power over the clients, that is not advantageous (Adamson and Bromiley 2013). However, in the basic terms, the empowerment approach develops independence and autonomy. The decisions and actions to be taken are appropriate since the individuals are empowered to work (Aiyer et al. 2015). Empowerment helps the individuals to gain adequate control over their circumstances and fulfil their objectives. In social care empowerment service, users can take control of their lives and exercise their choice. Certain situations can be handled through proper decision making (Green and Haines 2015).
In Yiriman project, a social vehicle is formed that can create an ongoing and purposeful exchange of learning and resources among the younger and older generation so that both the generations can be empowered to be self-dependent. In this project, the young generation is given a voice and are listened to actively for what they feel and want to share their connection with indigenous aspects (Adamson and Bromiley 2013). By considering empowerment as the key approach in social work, a wide range of techniques is utilised for stimulating the strengths of the younger generation and bring them close to their natural environment. A number of activities are taken up by the project, such as cultural education, fire management, land care, science and economic advancement. The ‘back-to-country- trips are the means by which young people are empowered to play an active role n sharing the stories of their past generation. The wildlife trips and other such activities help the individuals to come close to their culture and heritage (Palmer 2013).
Social work is often classified into three broad categories of practice, namely, micro, mezzo and macro. Though the point of similarity between these categories is that all three strive to identify and thereby address the emotional, familial, mental, financial and social problems individuals face, the difference lies in the methods used for addressing the issues. The scope of impact of the work done is also different (Adamson 2010). How closely the concerned stakeholders interact with each other is also different. While macro-level social work is provided on a large scale affecting the entire community, micro-level social work takes place directly with individuals or family. Micro social work is the most common practice. On the other hand, mezzo social work takes place on an intermediate level and involves institutions, neighbourhoods and smaller groups. Social work at the different stages might combine with each other to put forward the best practices (Garthwait 2016).
Empowerment Perspective of Social Work
At the mezzo level, Yiriman project deals with small sized groups comprising of indigenous population. The organisation organises and manages the initiatives taken up for bringing social change within the target population. The focus in on cultural change instead of individual changes. Though this level of approach positive relationships is built between the young ones and cultural leaders, who are in this case the more elderly population. A greater level of understanding and mutual respect is founded that enables the individuals to connect to the old and traditional customs and values (Bailey 2010). Through the mezzo level, social work embedded in community development the informal and formal partnerships are developed among the young members of the community and the service providers. This results in an increased capacity to respond to the major risks of health and well-being faced by the younger population (health.gov.au 2014). The advantage of the mezzo level approach is that the interaction with the ‘at-risk’ group takes place in a direct manner and this builds up relationship therapeutic in nature. However, in contrast to engaging in providing support and counselling to individuals, mezzo level approach provide help to a group of people at one point of time. In addition, mezzo level involvement necessitates bringing together individuals who are not close to each other through any relationship between them but exhibit chances of getting mutual benefits from the social work (Kirst-Ashman 2015).
At the micro level, Yiriman project has the prime focus on personal interaction with the youths for getting them involved with the project. Meeting the individuals and imparting knowledge to them, thereby driving them to take part in the project, is significant. The goal of the project is to help those who are vulnerable to get engaged with activities that are good for well-being (Palmer 2006). Challenges faced by the indigenous youth to bring about behavioural changes are addressed adequately at this level, that is very much needed for a change process. An informal relationship is build up between the social workers and the individuals resulting in an increase in the number of Aboriginal youths taking part in community-based diversionary activities. Elders come in contact with the youth to empower them with their own culture and heal them of their emotional and physical turmoils. Transfer of knowledge is the key result of such form of contact between two generations (Hepworth et al. 2016).
Coming to the end of the essay, it is to be mentioned that much of the empowerment and enthusiasm for the ‘back-to-country’ trips comes from the ability of the young individuals to work hard and showcase higher physical ability. The style of social work that is attributed to Yiriman project is not merely the reflection of intellectual, verbal and symbolic participation coming from the urge to bring life to the community. Young people are encouraged to talk about themselves, their future, their community and this approach embodies the work of the community. Through activities like driving, burning, hunting, walking and collecting things on the land basically, relates an individual to the body of the country. While the other section of the population chooses to abide by the pre-conceived notion of youth participation, the section of the population going by the Yiriman Project encourages young individuals to get back to their roots for a social cause. A world of cultural practises and indigeous means of lives is opened in front of the young population.
Micro, Mezzo and Macro Levels of Social Work
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