Diagrama Foundation host training sessions as part of an €80,000 project funded by the European Union Erasmus + Programme.
The E-PROFID Project will develop a training package for Care Workers who support people with disabilities, (especially those living in residential centres) while aiming to change public perception of disability. The project was awarded €80,000 from the Erasmus + Programme and is one of the last projects to include representation from the UK following the country’s exit from the European Union. Diagrama Foundation hosted participants from Groep Ubuntu in Belgium, the University of Salerno in Italy and Fundacion Diagrama in Spain, between 28 November and 2 December.
The training focused on Diagrama’s approach to integrating the people they work with into the community and the use of Montessori principles and practices to create environments in which the people being supported are given meaningful roles, routines and activities allowing them do as much for themselves as possible.
David McGuire, Chief Executive at Diagrama Foundation said, “This event gave everyone the opportunity to gain more insight by participating in activities that put them in the position of someone with a disability. We also introduced them to JJ, one of the people Diagrama supports. JJ explained what his paid job and volunteering roles meant to him, and how he takes part in the recruitment of our new staff and supports the team by monitoring health and safety matters. He certainly gave the attendees lots to think about and demonstrated how successful the practices we use at Diagrama can be.”
Helen Dean, Head of Projects and Business Development, Diagrama Foundation said, “‘It was wonderful to welcome partners to the UK and share what we do to support people with disabilities to integrate into the community. We also really enjoyed hearing our partners’ insights and reflections on this, which will help us continue to adapt what we do so that our clients can gain the work and volunteering opportunities that they want in future.”
Project recommendations and details of the ‘Facilitator of Change’ training programme will be announced at an event in Spain in the Spring of 2023. To find out more about the E-Profid project visit Diagrama's dedicated page.