Aim This project aimed to embed an emancipatory educational framework in communities for people marginalised and excluded because of mental health and substance misuse issues. Overall objectives 1. Establishment of an overarching participatory action research (PAR)process that incorporates students, associate partners, partners and any other relevant stakeholders in the educational process and project outcomes 2. Establish proof of concept evaluation framework adopting Participatory Action Research methods. 3. Implementation of educational Processes. 4. Development of Good Practice Guidelines based on the project process and proof of concept.
We had developed a participatory community learning process in the Dublin North North East Recovery College, DCU and demonstrated proof of concept in an Irish setting. As our own organisation was expanding and diversifying our framework was in a state of flux. The evaluation of this framework demonstrated significant personal and social recovery outcomes for learners plus a range of other thematic findings that pointed to community connectiveness, inclusiveness, belonging, empowerment and thriving, to name a few. We wished to expose the concept to a wider partnership of similar but different organisations working in similar ways and with similar target groups and develop it further conceptually and practically where it is applicable outside of one local or regional context. People excluded from active citizenship related in some way to their experience of mental health or substance misuse or often caught up in the mental health or addictions services 'bubble'. Focussing on avenues for recovery outside of this within an adult educational framework, in itself is an inclusive process. The project has been successful in enhancing participants personal and social recovery.