Description
In the Bucharest and Ilfov region, statistics show that more than 1.500 young families are currently deeply affected (emotionally and financially) by the recent death of a parent who was supporting the household. Teenagers and young adults aged between 15-25 years old are often still depending on their families' support thus the premature loss of their mother or father forces them to grow up faster than planned, to find balance at a very vulnerable time of their life and to find employment to support the family. The project will provide free access for more than 100 single-parent families to psychological support and help in entering the labor market. The results will involve analyzing the specific needs of the target group, developing services that respond to those identified needs and providing the services to a minimum of 100 young people aged between 15-25 and more than 200 parents, teachers and members of the community. At the end of the project, there will be a newly created support network, a community with online and offline resources for all families who experience similar difficulties.
Summary of project results
The project was initiated in the context of lack of dedicated programs for young people and their families who are in recovery after the death of a parent, having not only a social and psychological impact, but also an economic one. The project aimed to create a community in Bucharest where people aged 15-25 can meet each other and openly talk with therapists on solutions to problems like emotionally coping with loss, completing their studies, taking care of their family and building a future for themselves. A number of 4 workshops were organized for 90 school counsellors, teachers, asocial workers, psychologists that interact with children/youth that lost a parent. A partnership with the Centre for Resources and Educational Assistance Bucharest was concluded in order to promote the services and to encourage referral of pupils to benefit from support within the project. There were organized 2 motivational conferences, attended by 130 people, and 4 webinars facilitated by a psychotherapist. Services were provided to youth and parents that have experienced the loss of family member, as follows: 7 young people received individual counselling, while 13 participated in support groups; 3 parents received individual counselling, 21 parents participated in peer-to-peer support groups via Skype, 3 parents participated to in-person support group with a psychotherapist. A short guide of coping for young people and those close to them that was issued and distributed to school counsellors in Bucharest and Ilfov and the Faculty of Social Work in the Bucharest University (over 800 copies). A conference on “How to live after loss?" for the families and friends of the young people who lost their lives in the Collective fire and that was attended by more than 70 people. Due to difficulties in identifying the planned target group in due time, on December, 10th 2015 the promoter put forward the early project closing letter, after getting to the conclusion that the planned results and objectives cannot be achieved as planned.
Summary of bilateral results