How was mutual aid being conceptualized during its proliferation in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic? A critical phenomenological analysis

Littman, Danielle Maude; Morris, Karaya; Hostetter, C. Riley; Boyett, Madi; Bender, Kimberly; Holloway, Brendon T.; Dunbar, Annie Zean; Sarantakos, Sophia

doi:10.1080/10705422.2023.2210136

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…Mutual aid groups often seek not only to provide goods and services to those in need, but to change the underlying social conditions which produce those needs: in this sense, it can constitute a form of political participation (Spade, 2020). However, conceptualizations of mutual aid vary even amongst participants in such groups, from those who see mutual aid as similar to traditional aid and adjunctive to government support, to those who see mutual aid as an ongoing support mechanism which should be separated from government structures (Littman et al, 2023). Here we use "mutual aid" as a broad term referring to groups which are characterized by their spontaneous and informal organization, local or neighborhood identity, and/or adherence to principles of mutual aid or solidarity .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safeguarding concerns, practices, and resources in COVID-19 mutual aid groups

Mao¹,

Drury²,

Lowther³

et al. 2022

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Community mutual aid groups that sprang up during the COVID-19 pandemic were able to respond flexibly to local needs. Their informal character built trust with local communities, but also meant an absence of formal regulation and hence potential issues around safeguarding. However, there has been little research on COVID mutual aid groups’ safeguarding practices. In the present study, eight organizers of COVID mutual aid groups in the UK describe their group’s concerns, and existing safeguarding resources, and resources they would find useful in the future. Groups often created their own policies, training, reference materials, and safeguarding roles as a way of implementing safeguarding measures. Interviewees expressed three types of concerns around safeguarding: protection from harm (of both volunteers and members of the public), retaining character of mutual aid, and making appropriate referrals. The solutions suggested by interviewees included educational materials, training, funding, consultation, a signposting database, and a forum for COVID mutual aid groups. Some of these needs could be provided by developing relationships with formal community groups. This study suggests some of the mechanisms whereby informal community support groups can retain their grassroots identity and yet protect the health, wellbeing and rights of volunteers and those they work with.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safeguarding concerns, practices, and resources in COVID-19 mutual aid groups

Mao¹,

Drury²,

Lowther³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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How mutual aid proliferation developed solidarity and sense of collective responsibility in the early months of COVID‐19

Bender,

Saavedra,

Milligan

et al. 2023

American J of Comm Psychol

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Although mutual aid organizing is a social movement practice long sustained by queer/trans people, immigrants, people of color, and disability communities, among other communities pushed to the margins of society, with the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and subsequent government failures in addressing unmet needs, mutual aid proliferated into new (and more socially privileged) communities in the United States and across the world. Amidst this landscape of extraordinary and unique crises, our study sought to understand the benefits experienced by those engaged in mutual aid in the early months of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the state of Colorado, United States. Our team conducted semistructured individual interviews with 25 individuals participating in mutual aid through groups organized on social media or through intentional communities. We found that participants, who engaged in mutual aid in the early months of the COVID‐19 pandemic, built empathy, a sense of nonjudgement, and critical consciousness as they created common ground as humans. Participants also found mutual aid engagement to provide nourishing support, to hold pain among more people, and, simply to “feel good.” We discuss the potential implications of these benefits for sustaining mutual aid movements through the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States and beyond.

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A mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners providing services to international migrant laborers

Saldanha

2024

Social Work With Groups

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How was mutual aid being conceptualized during its proliferation in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic? A critical phenomenological analysis

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

Safeguarding concerns, practices, and resources in COVID-19 mutual aid groups

Safeguarding concerns, practices, and resources in COVID-19 mutual aid groups

How mutual aid proliferation developed solidarity and sense of collective responsibility in the early months of COVID‐19

A mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners providing services to international migrant laborers

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