The cycle of homelessness in the lives of young mothers: the diagnostic phase of an action research project

This paper presents the findings of the first stage of an action research p roject designed to explore the experience of repeated homelessness in the l ives of young women. An action research strategy was selected because it of fered a framework within which to work with and for rather than on this vul nerable group of service users. The women participating in the research developed a conceptual model that c aptured the essence of their experience, which they named 'Our Cycle'. They also proposed a system for service delivery, 'From trauma to recovery: a n onprofessional model'. The diagnostic phase of the action research has thus resulted ina sound the oretical and practical framework to guide the implementation and evaluation stages of the project, currently being funded through the United Kingdom D epartment of Health's Health Action Zone initiative.