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Description
Aimed at 48 migrant and refugee women, the “Hearts that take Care” project is based on a training and qualification model in the area of care for the elderly, focusing on palliative care. At the end of the training, each beneficiary receives a diploma that will serve to enter the profession. This training encompasses topics such as the development of personal skills, basic care for the elderly, and a component of information and communication technologies (thus reinforcing digital literacy, which is so important when looking for a job). All trainees will have individualised monitoring through coaching sessions to support the definition of their life goals and respective planning.
Summary of project results
In terms of the issues or challenges the project aimed to address, it focused on the significant barriers faced by migrants and refugees in accessing the job market. Since January 2021, the JRS Academy had around 320 registrations waiting for training. In 2020, JRS supported 2912 migrants/refugees, 90% of whom seeking employment. However, most had low education levels and lacked personal, social, and professional skills, leading to emotional fragility, low self-esteem, and a lack of hope. This situation hindered their effective inclusion and participation in society.
According to the Strategic Plan for the Development of Palliative Care (2019-2020, National Commission for Palliative Care), it is estimated that the number of Portuguese needing palliative care will increase to between 75,614 and 89,861 people in the next two years. This highlights the growing demand for trained caregivers in this field.
The project conducted six courses on Basic Elderly Care with a focus on Palliative Care, three in Lisbon and three in Porto, using a training model based on developing personal, social, and professional skills. Each course lasted three months and included modules on Basic Elderly Care, Grief/Palliative Care ("Embracing Life by Accepting Death"), Personal Development, and practical training in real work contexts. Each training group had access to explanatory sessions on Coaching, with individual sessions available for those interested. Storytelling training sessions were also held to prepare for the recording of the "Corações que Cuidam" Podcasts. All courses were complemented by Job Search Techniques training to develop active job search skills. Employment support continued throughout the project, with the JRS Employment Office and volunteers assisting with CV preparation, job referrals, and interview preparation. As planned, 48 migrant and refugee women were certified in Basic Elderly Care, with four dropouts not affecting the initial target.
Project outputs included two videos (one promotional and one final with results and participant testimonials), the "Corações que Cuidam" Podcast (eight episodes), the Caregiver''s Manual in digital and print versions, and a digital album available on the JRS website.
Two events were held: the project launch (November 2022), which facilitated interaction between trainees from Lisbon and Porto, and the final event (July 2023), a public thematic workshop showcasing project results and products, and engaging participants on dementia. Organizational capacity-building included Impact Assessment training for 25 JRS staff and consultancy support for developing a Theory of Change, an impact assessment matrix, and the JRS Strategic Plan for the next three years.
In terms of results the project achieved a professional integration rate of over 80% by the project''s conclusion, with 39 women integrated in job market. The external evaluation report highlighted significant impacts, including increased personal and social skills among trainees, recognized by both the trainees and employers. There was also enhanced professional capacity for caregiving, improved job search skills in Portugal, and increased personal and professional appreciation. This was reflected in the recognition of their previous informal caregiving experiences, boosted self-esteem, and pride in completing certified training in Portugal. Trainees described the experience as transformative, not only for the skills and knowledge gained but also for the emotional bonds formed and the creation of a crucial support network for those in vulnerable situations. The training process also promoted more active citizenship, with trainees gaining better knowledge of their rights and duties, community resources, and other JRS services.