Exploring potential for occupational therapy practice models within areas of social deprivation: A qualitative inquiry within a community-centred food cooperative.
Richard Adams, Helen Atkin, Richard Lee and 2 others
PMID 40336626WHAT IT FOUND
Members and volunteers described the cooperative as different from a foodbank.
They valued choice, contribution and avoiding shame. They also described regular use alongside belonging, confidence, budgeting and social contact.
Key findings
01Members and volunteers distinguished the cooperative from a foodbank, saying buying food gave choice and helped avoid shame.
02Participants described the cooperative as connected to belonging, confidence and wider participation in daily life.
03Participants described help with practical tasks such as budgeting and completing forms.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Eight participants from one food cooperative in one housing estate, so the experiences cannot be generalised. Convenience and snowball sampling, with participants recruited mainly when they came to the cooperative on its two opening days. The cooperative was church-run and not delivered by occupational therapists, so it may not represent OT-led community practice. The analysis was interpretive and based on participants' descriptions.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that a food cooperative, or any occupational therapy role, caused improvements in wellbeing. Eight participants from one site described their experiences. This was a qualitative interview study, and occupational therapists were not involved in setting up or running the cooperative.