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Description
The “SHOTGUN – A tua comunidade de suporte” project aims to support and empower 90 people between the ages of 18 and 60 with addictive behaviours and addictions in the process of recovery and social reintegration. It involves activities such as training in developing employability skills, personal storytelling workshops, guidance and mentoring sessions (financial and home management, active citizenship, etc.), and the development of a micro-business in vegetable gardening and management.
Summary of project results
The Shotgun project focuses on promoting the social reintegration of individuals with addictive behaviors and dependencies (CAD) in recovery processes. The social reintegration phase aims to provide individuals with the necessary tools to overcome their dependency and reintegrate into society. This phase often involves facing multiple obstacles, including internal difficulties, life history, microsocial contexts, and macrosocial events. The lack of understanding of this phenomenon reinforces negative representations of these groups, creating barriers to recovery. Literature supports that integration into the labor market is crucial for the successful social reintegration of people with CAD. The absence of employment prospects often leads to feelings of uselessness and loss of personal dignity, potentially resulting in rupture and revolt. Factors contributing to employment access and retention difficulties include insufficient or outdated employability skills, weakened support networks, and negative stereotypes associated with CAD individuals. The Shotgun project addresses these challenges through various actions, emphasizing personal transformation, comprehensive care, interpersonal relationship repair, and intensive socio-emotional skills training. The project prioritizes empowerment through capacity-building, guidance, and support actions to develop employability skills. Additionally, it supports the (re)construction of a support community, creating an Employment Opportunities Network and promoting interpersonal relationships among recovered and recovering individuals. The project also aims to combat social stigma, as prejudices against CAD are significant barriers to social inclusion.
The project focused on capacity-building and mentoring activities, leading to the acquisition of knowledge on techniques, information, and services useful for social reintegration and labor integration (e.g., financial management, domestic management, social support network, job search techniques and tools, health and sexuality). It also aimed at developing socio-emotional skills, providing professional and vocational guidance, and promoting active citizenship.
Over 14 months, 118 individuals in recovery at therapeutic communities in Abrantes, Braga, and Vila Nova de Gaia participated in activities such as Employability Weeks, Social Reintegration Orientation and Follow-up Programs, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Training, Personal Storytelling Workshops, and Microbusiness Management workshops.
Currently, 25 individuals are integrated professionally and/or academically, and 3 are seeking employment, with a significant portion of beneficiaries still undergoing treatment (45%). Although it is still early to conclude the long-term impact of the project, the existing numbers are very positive.
In addition to direct work with beneficiaries, an Employment Opportunities Network was consolidated by raising awareness and mobilizing companies to welcome and integrate this group. Ten testimonial videos were produced and disseminated, giving voice and visibility to success and recovery stories.
Besides strengthening the capacities and knowledge of the beneficiaries, the SHOTGUN project aimed to influence civil society towards a culture of understanding and hospitality, combating existing social stigma, and contributing to the social integration of vulnerable groups.
In terms of results the project achieved, two months after its conclusion, 25 people were integrated professionally (23) and academically (2), and 3 were seeking employment, totaling 28 individuals in social reintegration (29%). It is important to note that a significant portion of beneficiaries were still undergoing treatment (45%), and 26 people discontinued treatment before completion. Although it is still early to determine the long-term impact of the project, the existing numbers are very positive considering the target population''s characteristics. The Shotgun project, as validated by the External Evaluation Report, had an impact on different target groups at various levels. Firstly, direct beneficiaries experienced increased motivation, self-confidence, autonomy, and capabilities for social reintegration and labor integration. Secondly, mentors (recovered individuals) gained a sense of utility and purpose, confidence, and personal value. Thirdly, professionals from companies involved in the Employment Network and those invited to Employability Weeks saw a breakdown of stereotypes and increased sensitivity and acceptance towards people with addiction disorders. Lastly, therapeutic communities benefited from new methodologies, opportunities for critical reflection on practices, and interactions with other communities.