Client Perspectives Regarding the Effects of a Community-centred Programme Aimed at Reducing Poverty and Social Exclusion

People struggling with poverty and social exclusion constitute the principal population targeted by social services around the world. To deal with this social problem, many intervention plans have been developed. In Israel, the ‘Otzma’ Centre programme was adopted in 2007 by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. The programme’s goals are reducing clients’ economic distress and social exclusion through various social work methods, with the core principle being the population’s participation. The current qualitative study focused on a community programme for reducing poverty and exclusion. It was based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with thirteen women and two men aged thirty-five to fifty-eight years who participated in the programme. The study had two central goals: (i) understanding clients’ experience of living in poverty and (ii) understanding clients’ perceptions of the contribution of a community programme to their lives. Research findings included participants’ most salient perceptions: namely, the multidimensional experience of dealing with poverty, becoming knowledgeable about their rights and the change process in terms of economic, personal and family issues. A finding that stood out in its absence concerned partnership and participation. The study enriches the literature regarding community intervention programmes, which aim to reduce poverty and exclusion. Practical and theoretical considerations are discussed.