Caffe Aktywni

Usługa

Young people with intellectual disabilities and senior citizens are two groups of dependent people who face similar social challenges. They have limited opportunities to meet and socialise with others, which leads to social withdrawal and decreased sense of meaning in life. These groups are also particularly vulnerable to social and professional exclusion; young people – due to their intellectual disabilities and associated medical conditions and senior citizens – due to inactivity and reduced mobility.

The idea behind Caffe Aktywni is the collaboration between senior mentors and young people with intellectual disabilities, based on the sharing of knowledge and experience. The innovation aims to create a shared open space where young people with intellectual disabilities can be active, learn new skills, develop self-reliance, responsibility and self-confidence, while senior citizens, acting as mentors, can share their competences. The space will also contribute to the cohesion of the local community, encourage other seniors to get out of their homes and offer their assistance. The innovation also includes mentoring workshops for seniors and social and vocational trainings for young people with disabilities. Caffe Aktywni was originally open on selected days only, but since September 2019 it has been operating permanently in the premises provided by the City Hall of Gdańsk.

Young people (aged 17-20) with moderate intellectual disabilities Senior citizens (aged 60-70) who want to stay active and engage with the local community Dependent senior citizens who are sick, lonely, require help and support

Organizations supporting people with intellectual disabilities Organizations supporting senior citizens Local activity centers, clubs for community meetings Public institutions

Plans for mentoring workshops for seniors Plans for social and vocational trainings Plans for team-building activities Support group meeting plans for parents and caregivers of young people with intellectual disabilities A handout for feedback workshops for young people with intellectual disabilities Worksheets, analysis sheets and questionnaires for young people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers

Five senior citizens were trained on how to work with people with intellectual disabilities. Then, the senior mentors and their young mentees prepared the place where the coffeseshop would operate. During the workshops, young people, under the guidance of mentors, learnt the basic skills needed to run the coffeeshop, such as making product lists and doing shopping, keeping the place clean, operating the coffee machine and preparing simple meals and desserts. After the tests, the coffeeshop was opened once a month and on special occasions. Since September 2019 it has been operating on a daily basis. Currently, two seniors and one young person with a disability are employed under an employment contract, while additional eleven people complete placements and apprenticeships there.

Tak

Occupational therapists A special educator A sociotherapist supporting people with disabilities, using training plans and monitoring the progress of the group and individual participants A psychologist, coach and mentor utilising innovative methods to support the development of young people with intellectual disabilities and senior citizens Committed parents and caregivers of young people with intellectual disabilities

Space for carrying out innovative tasks adapted to the needs of the participants (space to conduct workshops, equipment for the coffeeeshop) Supplies for a social skills training Training supplies for workshops with young people with intellectual disabilities (rules, worksheets, incentives) Supplies for mentoring workshops Utensils to facilitate team building activities Promotional and informational materials (on recruitment, team building), if any

Podmiot prawny

Jolanta Rychlik, Klaudia Tarasiewicz, Agnieszka Głuszczyńska of Fundacja Świat Wrażliwy

Gdańsk

Inkubator pomysłów [2020-23]