Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98174
Title: Community work and volunteers
Authors: Xuereb, Julian (1995)
Keywords: Social service -- Malta
Volunteer workers in social service -- Malta
Issue Date: 1995
Citation: Xuereb, J. (1995). Community work and volunteers (Postgraduate Diploma).
Abstract: "Voluntary action may be perceived to be a way of enriching the whole social and moral fabric of a particular country". This was the view maintained by Yugoslav officials and Social Workers at a conference of the international Union of Child Welfare in Zagreb (early 70's). Speaking in an international context , they noted that voluntary work is not only essential in the western political scenario but also in Communist countries. However, in recent years a growing interest in Community Work by a number of voluntary and statutory movements and organizations has surfaced, possibly, revealing a wider acknowledgment of the benefits to be yielded through such an approach. Nevertheless, such questions have been raised as to determine whether or not it is truly a politically neutral approach to community-based interventions and to determine the extent of the development visualized. This paper will illustrate the meaning of the main terms used, i.e. Community Work and Volunteers. The community work approach in Malta is still not widely adopted although it is considered to be a social work method by reputable organizations abroad such as the CCETSW (see CCETSW report, 1974). The relationship between Social Work and Community Work has been explored, more closely, however, in the second Gulbenkian Report which questions whether community work, is fact, a method of social work, or whether it is entitled to be designated a separate activity. In other words, this report questions whether, although community work and social work appear to share similar objectives and values, they may, in reality, be different in that the skills required for the competent practice of both, may be quite different. Certain skills pertinent to community work may not be equally pertinent to social work practice. The literature on volunteering is small and varies in quality. Studies of volunteering and sometimes of volunteer motivation are the most common . . Because data on these topics of volunteering are usually taken "to be the end rather than the beginning of investigation, such data does little more than to provide some useful pointers to fruitful lines of enquiry."(Leat, 1979:51 ). Deeper analysis of the circumstances resulting in participation in voluntary activities would be required if one is to arrive at a clearer explanation why people actively to involve themselves in their communities. This long essay is devoted to increasing awareness about what community work is. It attempts, by using mainly a case-study approach, to clarify the relevance of community work practice to Malta, by illustrating the relationship between community workers and people involved in voluntary work in Cospicua and the way in which they can cooperate together towards the attainment of goals mutually agreed upon. In the first part of this paper, a theoretical overview of the nature and purpose of community work will be presented, portraying its nature and purpose, and revealing different approaches to it which have been developed over time. A listing of the most essential skills and the tasks which are most commonly envisaged is also given. In the second part, an analysis of why people undertake to do voluntary work is given, reference being made to Sherott's (1983: 62-145) analysis of voluntary work in volunteer-using organizations. He highlights the circumstances and life-histories underlying the motivation of these individuals to commit themselves to such an undertaking. The third chapter focuses on the local scene, analysing the different ways in which community workers and volunteers can cooperate together. The concluding chapter looks at the relationship which has developed between community workers and volunteers in England and uses these to highlight issues raised by Leissner (1972) which may potentially surface in a local community.
Description: P.G.DIP.SOCIAL WORK
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98174
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacSoW - 1986-1996
Dissertations - FacSoWSPSW - 1986-2008

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