Affiliations: School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University,
Victoria, Australia | Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne
at Psychosocial Research Centre, Coburg Victoria, Australia | Psychosocial Research Centre and Department of
Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia | North West Area Mental Health Service, Melbourne,
Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Ellie Fossey, Department of
Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne at Psychosocial Research Centre, Coburg
Victoria, 3058, Australia. Tel.: +613 9479 5660; Fax: +613 9479 5737; E-mail:
e.fossey@latrobe.edu.au
Abstract: A major barrier to employment for people with mental illness is
limited access to supportive and non-discriminatory workplaces. Social firms
are businesses committed to employing up to 50% of people with a disability or
other disadvantage and to providing supportive work environments that benefit
workers. Little research has been conducted to understand the features and
social processes that support the vocational experiences of employees with
mental health issues in social firms. Objective: This ethnographic study sought to explore the experiences
of nine employees at one Australian social firm. Participants: Nine employees of a social firm, with and without
mental illness. Methods: Study methods used included participant observation,
interviewing and document analysis. Results and conclusions: The study highlights the complexity of
running a socially-invested business, and the importance of cross-sectoral
partnerships to support their operational success. Natural workplace supports,
adequate training and support infrastructure and enabling participation in the
business, were identified as important to creating a supportive workplace.
Partnerships within the workplace and in support of the workplace are
discussed. Future growth and development of partnerships are recommended to
support the establishment of social firms.
Keywords: Social enterprise, natural supports, work culture
