QUARTER-MAKINGWorking on hospitality

Dealing with contrarietyDealing with contrariety

IllustrationsMoniek Meinders

Quarter-making is working on a hospitable society for people with a psychiatric background, or for others contending with exclusion. 3 elements

The issue of ‘the strange other’;The issue of ‘the strange other’; Offering hospitality;Offering hospitality; Putting part of the usual routine on Putting part of the usual routine on

hold.hold.

The wish: changing from patient into citizen

‘‘I’m staying in, being outside hurts’I’m staying in, being outside hurts’

The issue of ‘the strange other’ (1)

Most people are eager to participate and to Most people are eager to participate and to belong (becoming citizens instead of belong (becoming citizens instead of patients);patients);

There are many obstacles hindering There are many obstacles hindering participation in social life ;participation in social life ;

For this reason, we need to work on an open For this reason, we need to work on an open society, that focuses on inclusive-society, that focuses on inclusive-ness.ness.

The issue of ‘the strange other’ (2)

DilemmaDilemma To ignore difference wrongs clients;To ignore difference wrongs clients; To overemphasize difference wrongs To overemphasize difference wrongs

clients, too. clients, too.

The issue of ‘the strange other’ (3)

By speaking in terms of illness, By speaking in terms of illness, psychiatry does not really further psychiatry does not really further integration. Society adopts this thought in integration. Society adopts this thought in terms of illness and does not see the terms of illness and does not see the patient primarily as ‘fellow citizen’.patient primarily as ‘fellow citizen’.

Offering hospitality

‘‘Can we ask of the stranger to speak Can we ask of the stranger to speak the language, to act like the others, the language, to act like the others, before he is welcomed?’ (Derrida)before he is welcomed?’ (Derrida)

A hospitable reception How to lend quality to hospitality

Working on niches in society:Working on niches in society: being emotionally supportive;being emotionally supportive; offering meaningful activities;offering meaningful activities; nurturing the client’s self-worth.nurturing the client’s self-worth.

A hospitable reception Having buddies for the activity in which one wants to participate (a choir, Having buddies for the activity in which one wants to participate (a choir,

table tennis, a chess or card-playing club, voluntary work in church or the table tennis, a chess or card-playing club, voluntary work in church or the community centre – or on thecommunity centre – or on the paid job).paid job).

The buddy welcomes the client and acts asThe buddy welcomes the client and acts as allyally intermediaryintermediary advocateadvocate mentormentor

Buddies (and, with them, the inclusiveness) must be fully supported by the Buddies (and, with them, the inclusiveness) must be fully supported by the (social) organisation. (social) organisation.

Breaking open the ordinary routine

Putting competitive society on holdPutting competitive society on hold

Beyond the standard individualBeyond the standard individual

What is at issue here? (1)

Putting the ordinary on hold in order toPutting the ordinary on hold in order to make room for the extra-ordinary;make room for the extra-ordinary;

Showing respect for and involvement Showing respect for and involvement with with the other’s difference.the other’s difference.

What is at issue here? (2)

The restoration of reciprocity,The restoration of reciprocity, = the restoration of contact between = the restoration of contact between

standard and non-standard citizens,standard and non-standard citizens, and of contact between the fast and of contact between the fast

achievement society and the slow achievement society and the slow (humane) questions.(humane) questions.

What is at issue here? (3)

Social organisations should use a presence Social organisations should use a presence approach (Andries Baart) to:approach (Andries Baart) to: connect to someone’s daily experiences; connect to someone’s daily experiences; look for what is vital in someone’s look for what is vital in someone’s

lifestyle;lifestyle; express an interest in stories;express an interest in stories; be aware of excluding mechanisms;be aware of excluding mechanisms; be aware of the importance of preserving be aware of the importance of preserving

someone’s sense of honour;someone’s sense of honour; be sensitive of turning point experiences;be sensitive of turning point experiences; be aware of social contexts that make those be aware of social contexts that make those

negative careers permanent.negative careers permanent.

What is at issue here? (4)

Getting the varied (inclusive) society on the Getting the varied (inclusive) society on the agenda of the government, institutions, and agenda of the government, institutions, and citizens;citizens;

Inciting municipalities to properly equip social- Inciting municipalities to properly equip social- and community work to this end;and community work to this end;

By being in attendance as psychiatric sector, By being in attendance as psychiatric sector, encouraging and supporting the attendance of encouraging and supporting the attendance of others.others.

What is at issue here? (5)

Setting up a multilogue, a conversation in Setting up a multilogue, a conversation in which the participants work on a better which the participants work on a better mutual understanding, mutual involvement mutual understanding, mutual involvement and reciprocity.and reciprocity.

The reinforcement of Friends’ Services;The reinforcement of Friends’ Services; Making a plea for a vulnerable and caring Making a plea for a vulnerable and caring

citizenship, beside an achievement-oriented citizenship, beside an achievement-oriented citizenship.citizenship.