Action research: needs of young parents in the Motueka area.
Research recently undertaken in Motueka, near Nelson, found that young parents in the town don’t always access services available to them for a variety of reasons. Responding to issues raised by the social worker at the Family Service Centre and members of the Strengthening Families Steering Group, Juan Bernhardt, Manager at the Centre, established a research team to find out the needs of young parents in the area.
Juan was Head of Research, with Adriene Pitman-Burnett, a Social Work student on placement, conducting the research and Nicole Freer as research assistant. Nicole came to the project via a Work and Income work experience programme. Resources were made available from the Motueka Family Service Centre and the team worked on a volunteer basis.
The Participatory Action Research (PAR) model, appropriate for community research, was used. In PAR, a dialogue is established amongst all stakeholders - including the participants - and the outcomes are guided by what the participants have to say. Their issues and concerns are paramount.
Some major themes are emerging from the research, which is currently being written up by the research team. Some participants would love to see “a purpose-built building that would house young parents meeting together, a play area and change areas for children, a place that speakers would come to with relevant information, a place that government agencies would come to.” Adriene said.
Many of the 18 young parents (15 young mothers or mothers-to-be, 3 young fathers) interviewed had no access to transport. They relied on walking and a sturdy buggy, but getting to interviews with young children and waiting in waiting rooms was often difficult. The older parents (20 years plus), often had access to transport, and as a result felt less isolated. The younger ones wanted to get a licence, but after paying bills there was often no money left for anything else. Parents ranged in age from 16 -25 years, and many were in partnerships and not living off benefits, but trying to survive on one income. “Right from the onset they’re struggling as parents in a new relationship, sometimes on one wage...all those added pressures are huge,” Adriene said.
“For me the most rewarding thing has been listening to their stories, how they’ve got so far and [are] still having dreams…but not knowing how to make those things happen” Adriene said, “With a bit of support behind them...they could continue on their career path.”
Juan indicated that the final report will be made towards the end of the year and be distributed amongst all interested parties. The team is hopeful the community will respond to the issues raised with action.
from the left Juan Berhardt, (Head of Research), Adriene Pitman-Burnett (researcher) and Nicole Freer (research assistant) at the Motueka Family Service Centre during a team meeting.