A partnership model to transform a sheltered workshop to a consumer-run business: Reconstructing the work environment toward consumer empowerment

The purpose of the case study was to examine the transformation of a sheltered workshop carwash to a consumer-run carwash for people with serious mental illnesses. The objective was to provide a descriptive analysis of the experiences of the service providers and the consumers who were involved in the transformation process. A secondary objective was to examine how collaboration in the development and implementation of a business affected the consumer-provider relationship.; The consumer-run business was developed in partnership with consumers, providers from the provincial psychiatric hospital and representatives from business and the community at large. Qualitative methods were used to explore the participants' experiences. Data were collected over a seven month period and analyzed with the NUDIST software program. The study included participant observation and interviews with eight consumers, three front-line vocational services staff and three management participants.; It was found that the consumer-run business provided major benefits for the consumers. These included improved working conditions, improved psychosocial, spiritual and physical well-being. Major interpersonal challenges with respect to the consumer-frontline provider and the frontline provider-management relationship were found. These challenges included changing communication processes and leadership styles.; A working model based on results of the study is presented as a first step in the development of guidelines for transforming a sheltered workshop to a consumer-run business. The importance of reconstructing the work environment to enable consumer empowerment is highlighted. Reconstructing involved changes and strategies to deconstruct consumer powerlessness. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge that will inform present and future developers of consumer-run businesses. Implications for future research are identified.