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Description
The aim of the project is to develop new solutions for the social inclusion of 40 young people with disabilities from the city of Wroclaw and the Wroclaw district, using the methodology of therapy and education based on contact with nature (wilderness therapy/education). Wilderness therapy is a consciously planned therapeutic activity involving the participants simultaneously on three levels: kinetic, cognitive and behavioural. According to research conducted by the Imago Foundation, during the Covid-19 pandemic a significant number of young people with disabilities have not communicated with their friends, acquaintances and peers for a long time. Due to the temporary closure of various support centres (occupational therapy workshops, environmental self-help homes, day care centres) their cognitive and social functioning deteriorated. Alternative methods of work using contact with nature will give them the opportunity to return faster to life in society, to practice self-reliance, to undertake physical activities and to establish new, permanent social contacts. Within the project we will conduct 18 wilderness therapy/education programmes (e.g. trekking, rafting, archery classes, outdoor games, etc.) for 40 participating young people with disabilities. When determining the level of challenge we will take into account the individual psycho-physical needs and abilities of the participating persons, on the basis of a diagnosis and an individual support plan. The activities of the "Wilderness Base" will be co-created by 8 young volunteers from the last years of secondary school, who will be trained in wilderness therapy methodology and elements of social assistantship.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop new solutions for the social inclusion of 40 young people with disabilities from the city of Wrocław and the Wrocław district, based on the methodology of therapy and education based on contact with nature (wilderness therapy/education). Wilderness Therapy is a consciously planned therapeutic activity that engages participants simultaneously on three levels: kinetic, cognitive and behavioral. The project is a response to the problem of social exclusion of young people with disabilities and a deepened sense of isolation and loneliness in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, people with disabilities often depreciate the vision of themselves as active and functioning efficiently in society. Young people with disabilities who are entering an independent life are in a particularly difficult situation. Limited ability makes it difficult for them to achieve their goals, plans and aspirations. In addition to the limitations resulting from the disability itself, they must struggle with psychological, existential and social problems related to the difficult stage of entering adulthood. The barriers we identified on the side of young people with disabilities are:
- lack of access to appropriate services and forms of support in the local environment
- separation of life activities into "institutional" life and home (lack of a network of contacts outside of
the immediate family)
- lack of alternatives for spending free time
The most important needs included:
- need for integration, kindness, understanding and acceptance
- belonging - establishing and maintaining contacts with other people, a group of friends, peers
- needs related to rest, recreation, access to culture, self-fulfilment
- need for social rehabilitation
Wilderness Therapy is a therapeutic and developmental method based on the deepest possible immersion in wilderness and separation from excess stimuli. At the same time, it is important to design experiences so that the participant goes beyond their comfort zone in order to be able to work through the difficulties experienced and develop new, healthier ways of coping with them. Existing research on therapies in nature confirms their positive impact in terms of improving self-awareness and self-esteem; the ability to seek help, prosocial behaviors, behaviors based on trust.
We invited young people (16-40 years old) with disabilities to participate in the project.
The activities included the development and implementation of 17 Wilderness Therapy programs and 3 indoor therapeutic climbing programs. We implemented these programs in small groups based on various outdoor activities, such as trekking, learning to survive in the forest, kayaking, SUP board classes, climbing, cycling trips.
Each program met specific development goals resulting from a previously conducted diagnosis of the needs and level of functioning of the participants. We implemented these goals using the small steps method, thanks to which activities in nature were possible for each member of the group.
The project activities were co-created by volunteers from Wrocław secondary schools - 16 people aged 16-19 interested in social activity and active tourism. The volunteers took part in Wilderness Therapy training, assistantship, integration workshop, regular meetings and a summary trip.
The last element of the project was the exchange of know-how between Partner organizations from Poland, Norway and the Czech Republic and the development of competences of 8 professionals from Polish NGOs working on a daily basis with people with disabilities as part of therapeutic climbing training, Wilderness Therapy (in Poland and the Czech Republic) and a study visit to Norway.
Thanks to their participation in the project, young people with disabilities experienced the therapeutic effects of nature, and also acquired competences related to preparing for trips to nature (what to take, how to dress appropriately for the weather conditions), learned new ways of spending free time with peers, developed outdoor skills (how to light a fire with a flint, cook a meal on a fire, build a hut, pitch a tent, walk in snowshoes, kayak, climb, build a snow cave), experienced different weather conditions, developed social competences (including communication, teamwork, coping with difficulties, getting to know themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, etc.). In addition to developing soft and hard skills, young volunteers acquired and/or improved skills in supporting people with disabilities, learned about active forms of spending free time, and established new relationships and friendships. For the members of the project team and Partners, the exchange of knowledge and skills in the field of designing solutions supporting therapy and development of people with disabilities and gaining practical experience in implementing accessible outdoor therapeutic trips and climbing activities proved invaluable.
Summary of results:
- increase in social competences (communication, coping with difficulties, ability to work in a group) in 40 people with disabilities - indicator achieved
- increase in competences in the field of supporting people with disabilities and organizing adventure programs in 8 young volunteers - indicator achieved
- incorporation of a new solution into the practice of 2 national NGOs, i.e. inclusion of developed adventure programs in the basket of services of the organization - indicator achieved
- increase in competences of NGO professionals in the field of Wilderness methodology and experiential education - 8 people - indicator achieved
- number of project partnerships - 3 - indicator achieved
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership included the organization of a 3-day study visit to Norway for specialists from Polish non-governmental organizations (Sandnes Municipality, Norway). Thanks to the cooperation, we gained knowledge about the organization of Wilderness Therapy classes in Norway, we had the opportunity to exchange experiences, talk, and jointly search for answers to our questions. The Partner has much greater experience, financial and local resources, access to wild places in nature, in close proximity to the city. Organizing support is much easier because of this. However, in many matters we encounter similar problems. Our activities also aroused great interest on the part of the Partner from Norway (the Partner does not organize therapeutic climbing classes). The main result of the cooperation was the increase in the competences of professionals from the NGO in the field of Wilderness methodology and experiential education - 7 people. At the moment, the Partners declare their willingness to continue cooperation within the framework of further bilateral cooperation projects.