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Description
“Sowing of Affections” is a project that aims to combat loneliness and the active occupation of 150 elderly people, who are in nursing homes or isolated at home, through the creation of a creative sewing workshop and subsequent social business. This initiative has already been tested in one of the SSPI in the Municipality of Santarém and this project aims to expand the development of products under the “Sowing of Affections” brand to the entire continent and islands.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the inadequate support for the elderly in Santarém, as identified in the 2018-2021 municipality social diagnosis. The elderly faced geographic isolation and loneliness due to insufficient family support, weakened neighborhood networks, attachment to their homes, and a lack of accessible social spaces. These factors led to abandonment, poor housing conditions, and health issues, particularly mental health problems like depression. The situation was worse for those with mobility and autonomy difficulties. The elderly often experienced a loss of identity and infantilization, leading to isolation, low self-esteem, and apathy. The previous pilot project aimed to address these issues by promoting senior entrepreneurship through the creation of products from textile and leather waste. This initiative fostered social interaction, boosted self-esteem, and provided sensory stimulation, helping to combat loneliness and improve the emotional, mental, and psychological health of the elderly. The project''s success led to interest in expanding it to other institutions in Santarém.
The project ran from May 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, aiming to scale a senior entrepreneurship social business by promoting the sharing of elderly knowledge and combating loneliness and social isolation through active engagement. Workshops and training sessions in sewing and crochet techniques were conducted, resulting in the creation of sustainable products from textile industry waste. This initiative occupied seniors in Santarém and increased the production of the entity''s brand.
By the project''s end, fifteen institutions were engaged in the "Sementeira de Afetos" project. One of these institutions had users unable to sew but capable of making crochet applications for products like wallets and pouches, making them feel useful and proud of their contributions. A Pitch video was created and shared on social media and the project''s YouTube channel.
In terms of capacity building, the entity conducted a needs assessment and developed an action plan. Training sessions led to the creation of a business plan, risk management, and control strategies.
In regards to the project results it exceeded the initial expectations. The elderly participants were highly motivated and engaged wholeheartedly in the product design and even initiated the creation of new products. The interest from users, staff, and community members was significant, showing high levels of motivation. Many participants enjoyed sewing, and those who couldn''t sew contributed by basting, drawing, and cutting patterns and fabrics. Most importantly, they benefited from moments of social interaction and companionship, which proved to be a great added value.