Þessi grein er aðsend og er því á ensku.
Last week, the Hugarafl team—Auður Axelsdóttir, Dumitriţa Simion, and Grétar Björnsson—had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a study visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy. During our visit, we spent time at L’Ovile, one of Hugarafl’s trusted partners. L’Ovile is a highly experienced social cooperative that supports individuals facing mental health and social challenges.
This visit was part of the Empowering Futures project, a collaboration between Hugarafl, L’Ovile (Italy), Ålands Clubhouse (Finland), Falkenbergs Clubhouse (Sweden), Herstel Talent (Netherlands), and Stjoer (Netherlands). The 8-month project, funded by Erasmus+, focuses on learning from each other and sharing ideas about how to support mental health rehabilitation and help individuals reintegrate into the workforce.
Over two days, we had the chance to visit several of L’Ovile’s workshops. One of the first stops was their packaging and assembly workshop—a key starting point for people looking to re-enter the workforce. This workshop provides a safe, supportive environment where individuals can test their skills and build confidence. Tasks are tailored to each person’s current abilities and interests, and there is a flexible, negotiated approach to increasing difficulty as they progress. L’Ovile offers both paid employment and internship opportunities, providing a bridge to other workplaces for those who are ready for new challenges. The environment is simple and structured, with a wonderful balance of flexibility and guidance.
Another inspiring initiative at L’Ovile is Semi-Liberi (Half-free), a program that involves prisoners nearing the end of their sentences in the cultivation of three hectares of land within the prison. The produce is sold by the inmates at the local farmers’ market on Saturday mornings. They also offer a food lab, beekeeping, and carpentry workshops as part of their employment opportunities. Their focus on quality standards, not just keeping people busy—plays a vital role in developing real skills and empowering individuals to transition back into work life once they are released.
We also heard a fascinating presentation from Riesco, a social cooperative based in Padova. Riesco runs a food lab and catering service for regional companies, employing people with various disabilities. They also provide job mentoring for individuals in other workplaces, combining personalized support with guidance for organizations on how to create truly inclusive environments.
One of the highlights of the visit was a discussion on social prescribing. We learned how establishing strong support networks and connecting people with relevant services, groups, and activities can have a transformative impact on addressing isolation and inactivity. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of community and connection in overcoming challenges.
Key Learnings:
- The importance of creating safe, supportive environments for people with mental health challenges to develop or restore their work skills.
- How blending support and quality standards in programs like Semi-Liberi help people build real competencies.
- The impact of social prescribing and support networks on combating isolation.
Useful links:
https://www.riescoincucina.it/
https://www.ovile.coop/progetti/semiliberi/
Article by Dumitrița Simion
