Social integration of young people from families at social risk and the care system using the methodology of therapeutic farm

About this project

<p>The main goal of the project is to create a therapeutic farm and help young people from social risk families and the care system to integrate into society, the education system or the labor market through its activities. Although therapeutic farms have deep traditions in the world, this would be the first such farm in Lithuania adapted to work with various vulnerable groups. The main purpose of a therapeutic farm is to use farming practices to improve the physical and mental health of farm participants, to develop social and work skills, and to provide educational and integrative benefits. These practices have deep, even nineteenth-century, roots in various European countries, such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Belgium, and others. Clients on therapeutic farms include children from a variety of vulnerable groups, such as young people not in the education system or the labor market, children falling out of the education system, children and young people with mental disorders (eg depression, anxiety, etc.), and adults addicted to psychoactive substances, the long-term unemployed, adults with burnout syndrome, etc. The project envisages the participation of 28 young people from municipalities of&nbsp;municipalities of Švenčionys, Ignalina, Visaginas, Molėtai, Zarasai and Utena districts from families at social risk and in the care system who are starting to live independently.<br> The main goal of the project is 50%. young people participating in the program will continue their education in the formal education system or find permanent employment. A total of 86 specialists will be trained in the project on how to work with the therapeutic farm methodology. The project partner will be responsible for transferring its good practice and training of project staff.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

In this project, the partnership with Hestegarden Therapeutic School in the Kingdom of Norway was extremely important. Correspondence and discussions were held with the partners regarding the activities of the Therapeutic School, their duration, content, etc. After the start of the activities in Lithuania, there was an opportunity to visit the farm itself in the Kingdom of Norway and compare how the activities are planned there, what physical and human resources are needed. The partners constantly followed our activities and in case of need or opportunity, they were contacted, consulted, asked for advice/recommendations. The partners made a significant contribution to the planning of the animals and their care at the farm. The biggest contribution of the partners is that they helped to create a working system in which young people can rehabilitate psychologically and return to the labor market or the education system. After the project, communication with partners takes place through informal means (FB messenger), project invitations are followed and further is expected in the future to cooperate by expanding the activities of therapeutic marketing in Lithuania.

Project partners

• Hestegarden Donor project partner· Norway