Published on 10.05.2022 under General, Consultation, Equality of Opportunity, Health, Inclusion
Focus groups improve the quality of the participation report
A field report using the example of the focus groups “Affordable Housing” and “Old Age and the Need for Care”
Focus group discussions are moderated discussions with those affected. We like to use them in participatory processes because the perspectives of those affected flow directly into the planning at an early stage.
For the "Advice for social justice" of the city of Erlangen we are currently conducting focus group discussions on the topics of “affordable housing” and “old age and the need for care”. In the planned participation report, which will supplement the social report from 2021, the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities, single parents or those looking for a flat on a low income will be directly incorporated. This is important so that the local actors can take better account of the needs of the so-called "vulnerable groups" and thus contribute to greater social and health equality.
Identify challenges and needs
6-10 people from each of the different groups - the so-called living environment experts - take part in the focus groups in a pleasant and confidential atmosphere. The conversation with focus groups aims to identify the challenges and needs of people, e.g. B. to understand when looking for an apartment, to better classify the existing statistical surveys and to understand the concrete problems.
“If you want an apartment, you will find an apartment! – Is that true?” With this or a similar statement, we start the discussion with the focus group and encourage the living environment experts to exchange ideas. For the group of people with mental disabilities, the focus is, among other things, on the accessibility of online portals when looking for an apartment and of course also the accessibility of the apartments themselves, so that they can find a suitable apartment and lead a self-determined life. In addition, emotional stress, due to the currently poor living situation and the feeling of not being taken seriously by potential landlords and employees in the office, play a major role. You would like to be made aware of how to deal with people with disabilities. That means honest and appreciative interaction with each other, even if it takes a little longer and an explanation in simple language is needed to understand a situation. People with disabilities also wish that they are perceived and taken seriously, even when the supervisor is there.
Recruit participants for focus groups
Later in the process, concrete recommendations for action are derived that improve the lives of people in Erlangen. The participants in the focus group discussions are personally addressed and won over by multipliers such as employees of the center for single parents or employees of the associations for disabled people.
The focus group talks also serve the "Advice for Social Justice" as thematic preparation for a participation process that starts with a conference at which the recommendations for action worked out are discussed together with the living environment experts, the actors of the city and the advice and implementation steps to be planned. The matrix "Equal Opportunities in Health & Inclusion" team accompanies the planning, implementation and follow-up of the conference on the social and participation report.
You can find out more about the services provided by matrix in the field of equal opportunities here: https://matrix-gruppe.de/themen/chancengerechtigkeit/
