2019 Volume 70 Issue 7 Pages 403-415
In this study, the Fureai-ikiiki community salon in Uji City was surveyed to investigate the endurance and inclusiveness of the salon's activities and the value of the community and its activities, in an effort to maximize its effectiveness as a regional community service.
Eight of the 11 salons that were surveyed 10 years earlier were still active. The following three factors were found to be significant for continuation of activities according to the follow-up assessment of the 11 salons: 1) continuous recruitment of participants by salon and welfare staff of the school district, 2) recruitment of volunteers as reserve representatives, and 3) maintenance of the meeting place and utilization of residential multidwelling complex and medical and welfare institution assembly rooms as reserved venues for activities.
Further, focus was placed on school district M in Uji city, and interviews with the representatives and questionnaire surveys for participating elderly people were conducted to assess the 12 salons in the school district.
In school district M, there were 12 salons that were coordinated through a salon contact group. At the same time, salon staff members were in contact with one another as well as with external school district welfare staff and social workers. This has resulted in a community network in the school district, which was formed through the salon. The salon activities of school district M could be a pilot model of a comprehensive salon activity program.
