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Description
The project is focusing on the social inclusion of drug users and people working in the sex business through practical work training in the ZÓNA contact centre in Sereď. Clients working in the exteriors or interiors of the centre increase their practical work skills. The motivation for them is the fulfilment of an individual goal (e.g. obtaining allowance for the identity card, reducing debts in a health insurance company, paying a doctor, housing, etc.).
The project is focused on meaningfulness and reality. It takes into account the complex life situations of clients, their possibilities and brings the most functional model of possible help. Working with active drug users or people in the sex business has its specifics, which is taken into account when composing the basic methodology of the project. No one carries out similar activities in the town of Sereď and the entire Nitra and Trnava regions. Clients have the opportunity to gradually, based on their own decision and time management, work out what they need. In addition to certain work skills, they also gain a sense of self-confidence, respect and ability. We teach clients to communicate with authorities in person and electronically and to orient themselves in bureaucratic conditions. At the same time, the project is co-creating a new perspective on this target group in the eyes of the public, the authorities or institutions. The project also participates in breaking down prejudices against the clients and increase their chances for a better life.
The project will be beneficiary for vulnerable groups, drug users, people working in the sex business by helping them to find the way out of their current situation and find ou what they need and based on this maybe a job too.
Summary of project results
The STORM association has been working since 2002 to prevent risky behaviour in various target groups (drug users, sex workers). Its activities are based on low- threshold principles and a Harm Reduction philosophy. The STORM Association is an accredited entity of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic (MPSVaR SR) and the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MŠVaŠ SR). The main area of operation is the Nitra, Trnava and Banská Bystrica regions.
Social inclusion of drug users and sex workers through practical work training works very well. Clients improve their practical work skills by working outdoors or indoors in the STORM Centre. They are motivated by fulfilling an individual goal (e.g., obtaining funds for an ID card, reducing debts to health insurance, paying for a doctor, housing, etc.).
The project was focusing on the social inclusion of drug users and people working in the sex business through practical work training in the ZÓNA contact centre in Sereď. Clients working in the exteriors or interiors of the centre increase their practical work skills. The motivation for them is the fulfilment of an individual goal (e.g. obtaining allowance for the identity card, reducing debts in a health insurance company, paying a doctor, housing, etc.).
The project was focused on meaningfulness and reality. It takes into account the complex life situations of clients, their possibilities and brings the most functional model of possible help. Working with active drug users or people in the sex business has its specifics, which is taken into account when composing the basic methodology of the project. No one carries out similar activities in the town of Sereď and the entire Nitra and Trnava regions. Clients have the opportunity to gradually, based on their own decision and time management, work out what they need. In addition to certain work skills, they also gain a sense of self-confidence, respect and ability. The project promoters teach the clients to communicate with authorities in person and electronically and to orient themselves in bureaucratic conditions. At the same time, the project is co-creating a new perspective on this target group in the eyes of the public, the authorities or institutions. The project also participates in breaking down prejudices against the clients and increase their chances for a better life.
The project was beneficiary for vulnerable groups, drug users, people working in the sex business by helping them to find the way out of their current situation and find out what they need and based on this maybe a job too.
The project reflected the needs of clients, whom we involve in the formation of new activities to improve and/or stabilize their living situation. A significant part of clients, at-risk residents, have difficulty finding employment for subjective (addiction, homelessness, violence...) but also objective reasons (stigmatization, health obstacles...). At the same time, the project responded to the need for education (resume, interview...) and job training. Some clients have lost their work habits, the ability to plan and be on time.
JOB TRAINING - occupational therapy is a very good tool for resocialization and return to a standardized life. We also carried out some work in public space, which is important in the context of sensitization of society.
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE - we wanted to stay in touch with the client even after he had finished his work. together we visited offices, shops, institutions, or relevant places, which were agreed before the start of the work training. at the same time, SA is very important in the context of stigmatization
FIELD AND AMBULATORY social work - we are close to the client in their natural environment, which helps a lot to create relationships and strengthens the motivation to get involved in the project''s activities.
COOPERATION with the city (Nitra) - it is very important that the local government is also involved in the projects, which in this way signals an interest in at-risk groups of residents.
The project directly reached 245 clients in three towns (mostly in Seredi) and indirectly reached about 400 clients through leaflets and the STORMík magazine. The original indicator was set at 100 clients, but the project reached a larger number despite the pandemic. In the same way, 54 clients were involved in the project activities compared to the target of 25. Some of them improved their lives, wrote CVs, and improved their work skills. They could buy groceries, visit the doctor and get accommodation.
The importance of fulfilling and exceeding goals is also in arguments when seeking support with the aim of quality sustainability. At the same time, also for the perspective of clients who have not yet joined and have already heard many times about the benefits of working in the STORM Association.