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Description
Our experience shows that young and juvenile mothers are a vulnerable group dealing with problems such as lack of acceptance from family and environment, low level of emotional preparation for the role of parent and nursing and parenting skills, interrupted education, difficulties in entering or re-entering the labour market. State institutions provide support for mothers and children, but there is no support designed specifically for young mothers. Financial aid in the form of welfare benefit is temporary and does not improve their situation in the long-term.This project addresses the problem of negligible (primarily material) support for young mothers and their social stigmatisation.After carrying out individual diagnoses of the participants'' needs, each will be given adequate support (coach, midwife, sexologist, education specialist, lawyer, dietician) and group therapy (workshops with a midwife, running a household, career counselling, cooking, being with a child, parenting lessons). We will start a support group. We will conduct the programme twice; in the first we will select solomum leaders to become involved in activities to help participants; in the second, as change coaches, they will support activities of specialists. We will conduct a public campaign co-produced by project participants to raise public awareness of single mums’ needs and problems.25 young, single mums from vulnerable communities in the county of Olsztyn will participate.The participants will gain skills and knowledge to single-handedly provide proper care for a child and identify with the role of a mother. They will learn to act independently in terms of career.The Partner - Foundation for children and youth "Kółko Graniaste" - will deal with enrolment and provide specialists, and provide childcare during the mothers’ classes.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of social exclusion and stigmatisation of young and teenage mothers from the Olsztyn district. These women face a lack of acceptance from their families and the community. They also often face difficulties such as low emotional readiness for parenthood, lack of care and parenting skills, interrupted education, finding a job or returning to the labour market. The financial support available (in the form of benefits) is only temporary and does not lead to changes that improve the situation in the long term. Measures to support young mothers are particularly justified in view of the social policies implemented by the State, which make it difficult for girls to have access to reliable sex education, contraception, knowledge about family planning and development. In Olsztyn there are a number of institutions that support mothers and children, but there is a lack of activities related to early motherhood.
As part of the project, the Project Promoter provided comprehensive support to 25 young mothers from the Olsztyn district. Each of the women received support designed and tailored to their individual needs, based on an individual diagnosis carried out beforehand. Participants received coaching, psychological and legal support, as well as educational and vocational guidance. They also participated in a parenting school, workshops with a nurse and a midwife, household management workshops, cooking and nutrition classes, and group vocational and educational counselling. 2 women''s support groups were also set up. The Project Promoter ran 2 social campaigns on independent motherhood, co-created by the project participants themselves.
The project resulted in an original programme of comprehensive and individual support for young mothers. 25 women, young mothers from the Olsztyn district, gained skills and knowledge that will enable them to live independently and take care of their child in the future. The programme participants found it easier to find their way in their new role, were equipped with knowledge and parenting tools, and developed their social skills. The Project Promoter''s activities filled a gap in the local social welfare system.