"An oasis for us": 'in-between' spaces of training for people with mental health problems in the Scottish Highlands

Philo, C. , Parr, H. and Burns, N. (2005) "An oasis for us": 'in-between' spaces of training for people with mental health problems in the Scottish Highlands. Geoforum, 36(6), pp. 778-791. (doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2005.01.002)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2005.01.002

Abstract

Training and Guidance (TAG) units in the Scottish Highlands are sites that people with mental health problems can access for training and learning activities designed to prepare them for (re-)entry into the labour market. These units also perform other, perhaps more intangible, roles in assisting trainees to cope with their mental health problems, thereby offering a supportive setting with therapeutic dimensions (albeit one not explicitly configured as delivering therapy). In this paper we explore the ‘in-between’ quality of the TAG units as spaces that might be said to possess dual economic and social roles. Using primarily qualitative evidence, we investigate both sets of roles, debating the extent to which the economic and social imperatives complement or contradict one another. The paper contributes to critical commentary on how ‘workfare’ initiatives articulate with the experiences and concerns of disabled trainees, the novelty arising in part from centralising the material spaces at the heart of such initiatives.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Burns, Dr Nicola and Parr, Professor Hester and Philo, Professor Christopher
Authors: Philo, C., Parr, H., and Burns, N.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
Journal Name:Geoforum
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0016-7185
ISSN (Online):1872-9398
Published Online:18 July 2005

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