Something Different: A pilot study evaluating family outreach ...

Something Different - Page 40 of 47
The potential benefits of enhanced gregariousness and social capital are well established,
particularly for disadvantaged individuals 5 . “Social capital, in short refers to social
connections and the attendant norms and trust” (Putnam, 1995, pp. 664-665). Social capital is
held to impact the formation of economic and social networks within communities,
integrating individuals into civil society. Halpern (2005, p. 51) suggests the importance of
social networks connecting individuals “to advantaged individuals in mainstream
employment”, indicating that “the paucity of [such] connections, becomes self-reinforcing at
the neighbourhood level” and places individuals further out of reach of the social capital and
other resources needed to achieve social inclusion and reengage in civil society.
Age appropriateness of craft activities
A number of participants indicated that their children’s age was an important variable
affecting the perceived impact of the outreach visit. For example, ‘Liz’ mostly focussed on
the benefits of the visits for her three-year-old son, suggesting that her 14-month-old daughter
was not able to gain as much due to her age.
Liz But my little girl [enjoys the visits] as well. She’s starting to
just take notice as well.
Interview at Fitzwilliam Museum on Day of Visit - 24/11/09
Jenny suggested that the outreach visit was most appropriate for children age 2 and up, as can
be seen in the extract below.
Jenny I think really it’s just getting them at the right age. Probably
more towards two is best. But other than that, [the family
outreach visit activities are] fine.
Interview at Community Centre Prior to Visit - 17/11/09
Jenny further developed this point, indicating that at 18-months-old her child was less able to
understand what happened at the outreach visit than the older children. As such, she felt that
the upcoming visit would be more effective given that her child would now be almost twoyears-old.
Interviewer And how old was she last [family outreach visit]?
Jenny God. I’d say she was probably maybe just under or just over 18
months, I think.
Interviewer And at that age, did you feel like she enjoyed it?
Jenny Yes, I think she enjoyed it. Like the last time we went, because
she was rather young. I mean, she didn’t understand as much.
http://www.dta.org.uk/resources/glossary/socialinclusion