Abstract

The terms vulnerable and marginalised will be critically analysed in this reflexive article, arguing that their uncritical use constrains the potential for transformative research and social change. Drawing on Wilson’s participatory research with low-income coastal communities and Charfe’s work on co-production and social pedagogy, the paper challenges neoliberal narratives that depict marginalised individuals as passive or responsible for their own exclusion. Instead, it foregrounds the structural and institutional factors that inhibit inclusion and erode relational capacity within communities and social work. The article introduces the concepts of relational capital-the resources individuals draw upon to form and sustain relationships. Drawing on three participatory case studies and the reflexive interpretation of experience, data, or practice, the paper illustrates how reframing deficit-based discourses enables communities to reclaim agency and co-create change. The findings reveal that relationships grounded in trust, honesty, and mutual respect are essential for meaningful inclusion, participation, and civic engagement. Ultimately, the paper argues that reframing vulnerability and marginalisation through relational practice moves social work research from transactional to relational modes of engagement, fostering inclusive, community-driven research and social transformation.