Abstract
Background: A definition of recovery drawn from qualitative literature and the ‘consumer/survivor’ movement suggests that recovery should be seen as a way of developing satisfaction and purpose in life, whether or not symptoms of mental illness are present. A qualitative review suggested that meaningful activity may facilitate recovery by providing a sense of purpose in life. Social firms may be well placed to offer this activity due to their ethos of empowerment, their community integration and their similarity to ‘recovery‐oriented services’.
Aims: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of recovery from mental illness in the context of two emerging social firms.
Method: A social constructionist version of grounded theory was used to develop a model of recovery through participation in the emerging social firms. Multiple coding, triangulation and respondent validation were used to increase the rigour of study findings.
Findings: A model of recovery in the context of the emerging social firms was constructed. This was influenced by characteristics such as a flexible structure, a meaningful and diverse activity, an accepting social group and an inclusive leadership.
Conclusion: Social firms may provide an important model for ‘recovery‐oriented services’. Clinical, research and policy implications of findings are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Key Practitioner Message:
Social firms are a form of enterprise that employs people who are disadvantaged in the labour market by their disability.
Social firms promote a model of community integration and empowerment for their employees.
We found that individuals recovering from a mental illness experience social firms as providing a flexible environment which promotes feelings of belonging, success, competence and individuality.
We interpret these findings as social firms providing secure base for recovery.