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Description
People with mental health disorders are particularly at risk of social marginalization due to the specific nature of that illness, but also stigmatization. In 2018 in the Łódzkie voivodship, more than 84 000 people received counselling for mental health disorders (Łódzkie voivodship healthcare statistical guide). 75% support themselves mainly from a disability pension. We know from our research that many attempts at social rehabilitation and occupational activation end in fiasco. Not only are the classes offered to people with mental health disorders of little use from a job-seeking point of view, at times they do not stimulate and do not arouse interest. Due to the project “Voluntary work as a tool to actively integrate people with mental health disorders” (2012-14), we realized the huge therapeutic value of voluntary work. The project is intended to make people with mental health disorders volunteers and include them in community aid voluntary work. We will begin working with 4-10 organizations (such as community welfare, healthcare, animal welfare, cultural institutions), that have volunteers and that designate people for training to be voluntary work coordinators. We will train volunteers on voluntary work, types of community activity and defending one’s rights, and provide them with individual support from specialists when taking up voluntary work long term. They will perform services in line with their capabilities and interests for a period of eighteen months. We will produce educational materials and organize an integration event to promote voluntary work and activate sufferers. Twenty people with mental health disorders and eight voluntary work coordinators from Łódzkie voivodship facilities will participate directly in the measures. People with mental health disorders will do approximately 2000 hours of voluntary work and become more independent and self-confident.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the issue of marginalisation and stigmatisation of people with mental illness. People with mental illness often feel alienated, are less likely to be socially and professionally active, have lower levels of education and rate their satisfaction with life and health lower. In the Łódzkie Voivodeship in 2018, more than 84,000 people used the support of mental health clinics (Statistical Guide to Health Care in the Łódzkie Voivodeship). For 75% of them, the main source of income was a pension. Meanwhile, the available forms of support are mainly limited to pharmacological therapy and group work, while there is a lack of attractive and effective activities that motivate people to become socially or professionally active.
As part of the project, the Project Promoter worked on preparing mentally ill people for volunteering and involving them in volunteering in the social sector. Twenty-seven people were trained in knowledge of volunteering, social activism, protection of their rights and received individual support for long-term volunteering. Cooperation was established with 6 institutions (working with animal rights, people with disabilities, the seniors, children and young people at risk of exclusion, children in foster care), where volunteer coordinators were trained. Subsequently, 23 people with mental illnesses volunteered for 18 months in the above-mentioned places. Educational materials were also developed, including 20 webinars and a podcast, and a Volunteer Gala - an inclusive event promoting volunteering and activation for people with mental illness - was organised.
As a continuation of the project the project promoter organised two 6-hour dissemination meetings (online and face-to-face), attended by 39 people. A report summarising the action promoted was printed and distributed to 64 people (decision-makers, representatives of offices and managers and leaders of organisations supervising activities involving people with mental illness). A short video report on the model was produced and broadcast. The activities were accompanied by promotion in the form of social media posts and thematic websites.
The project has succeeded in preparing and engaging 23 people with mental illness in voluntary work. Those who took part in the volunteering programme increased their self-confidence and self-esteem, developed independence, regularity and a sense of agency. The organisations where the volunteering took place were also strengthened in the area of organising and managing volunteering and opened up to working with people with mental illness. The project is an important step towards opening up potential employers to work with people after mental health crises.