Global Model and Local Applications: Peer Support in the Clubhouse Model and Its Practices in Sweden and in Japan
Yoshiko Boregren Matsui
Anna Meeuwisse
DOI: 10.2190/SH.7.1.e
Abstract
Clubhouses are supposed to follow the International Clubhouse Standards, but they also need to make adaptations according to national and local contexts. This article compares the implementation of peer support elements in the clubhouse model in two different social contexts: the Swedish and the Japanese welfare systems. Participatory observations and interviews with members and staff at a Swedish and a Japanese clubhouse were conducted in order to explore how the idea of peer support was carried out in everyday life. Peer support seemed to be a core element in both organizations, but it was organized in slightly different ways. The Swedish clubhouse employed an experience-based way of working and involved members in almost all decision-making processes. The Japanese clubhouse employed a manual-based work method and members' involvement in decision making was relatively limited. The different approaches were due to dissimilar organizational structures, regulatory requirements, and societal expectations that were related to two different welfare systems.
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