Þessi grein er skrifuð á ensku.
As part of the Erasmus+-funded Empowering Futures project, Hugarafl and its partners from Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands came together in Leeuwarden for a two-day study visit hosted by Stjoer. The visit gave us a hands-on look at how Stjoer supports people in getting back into the workforce, especially those navigating mental health challenges.
We kicked things off with a warm welcome and an introduction to Stjoer’s mission and the way they work. One of the main takeaways was learning about the different departments—like reception, admin, facilities, and PC repair—where people can volunteer as part of their vocational rehabilitation.
Stjoer also walked us through their five-step approach to supporting someone on their journey: (1) Introduction, (2) Orientation, (3) Deepening, (4) Completion, (5) Aftercare.
We also got to hear about some of their inspiring projects, like Sedrana, a multicultural living room that brings people from all backgrounds together, and Rich from Experience, in a workshop where we used collage-making to reflect on our own sources of strength.
There were presentations from external collaborators too, including sessions on Social Prescribing and on IPS (Individual Placement and Support), which added valuable perspectives to our learning.
One of the highlights of the visit was our guided tour of DOAS, a creative space for artists, entrepreneurs, and social projects. While there, we also visited WerkPro, where we saw real-life examples of inclusive and supportive work environments.
Beyond the learning, what really stood out were the conversations, the laughter, and the sense of connection. This visit didn’t just deepen our understanding of vocational rehabilitation, but it brought us closer together, both professionally and personally.
Article by Dumitrita Simion
Useful links:
https://stjoer.frl/rijk-van-ervaring/
