Wellbeing in Turbulent Times

If this resonates with you and you are ready for a learning experience on how to support your own wellbeing, as well as that of others, this training course might be for you.

Wellbeing in Turbulent Times is a 5-days experiential training course designed to develop a variety of practices and methods, including movement, nature-based activities, mindfulness, and creative expression. These will help you to navigate stress, build resilience, and enhance your overall wellbeing. The emphasis of the training will be on acquiring holistic tools and practices that can be used also to support young people in their wellbeing, as well as for prevention of mental health issues, such as stress and burnout.

The training will offer the opportunity for youth workers from programme countries (EU) and from the South-Mediterranean countries to share tools and practices, and exchange (new) perspectives on the topic. It will introduce mindfulness as a way of bringing people together, bridging cultural differences, addressing polarisation and creating dialogue. To ensure real impact on youth work, the training course is targeting only professionals who are actively working with young people and are planning to use the competencies gained in their activities and educational programmes.

The main aim of this training course is to equip youth workers with practical tools and strategies to enhance their own wellbeing and support young people effectively, while navigating the complexities and stressors of their demanding roles, especially in uncertain and turbulent times.

Objectives of the course:

• Increase understanding of mental health and wellbeing, emphasising the importance of prevention, seeking help when needed and addressing stigma in the society.
• Learn effective techniques and coping strategies for building personal resilience, managing stress and anxiety, and recognising the importance of self-care when helping others.
• Improve and maintain self-care and wellbeing by integrating holistic practices for connection with nature, movement and artistic expression, and create sustainable habits both in personal and professional life.
• Learn concrete tools and practices that can be used directly in youth work and organisations to support the wellbeing and mental health of young people, and especially vulnerable groups such as NEET, migrants, etc.
• Cultivate a sense of community among participants, encouraging open sharing, mutual support, exchange of experiences, as well as the development of peer network and future collaborations.
• Build understanding of how to deal with polarisation, create dialogue, and bridge differences, especially in a multicultural setting.

This training course is aimed at youth workers:

• Actively working with young people, as part of their regular activities;
• Curious to learn new tools and practices related to movement, nature, creativity and, mindfulness that can improve their wellbeing, self-care and resilience;
• Motivated to take an active part of the learning experience, co-create and share within a diverse group;
• Passionate about supporting the wellbeing of young people;
• Having a sufficient level of English language allowing to freely express and communicate;
• Prepared to participate in physical activities outdoors such as extended walks and other movement sessions;
• Willing to further implement and disseminate the tools and practices acquired in the training.

Please note: this is not an activity to address participants’ personal mental health-related issues or serve any therapy purpose, instead this is a training course for active youth workers in the field.

Our approach and methods used include:

Supportive environment focusing on a safe (brave) space in order to explore feelings and connecting with the group; nature-based methods; self-regulation techniques such as breathing, mindfulness and journaling; movement practices and connection to the body; creative expression and artistic activities. Several reflection practices will be used: - individual, small group, large group, as well as group discussions and integration activities.

The training will foster a sense of community, reflecting our approach of co-creation and spirit of sharing practices and experiences.

Venue and way of living:

This training activity is set in a peaceful, calm location in Tunisia, chosen to help you disconnect from distractions of daily life and immerse yourself in the training and self-reflection. The tranquil setting offers the opportunity to slow down, and deepen your mindfulness practice in nature, away from the busyness of the world. Accommodation will be in shared rooms. We will be co-living and co-creating together on this training, applying the principles of community living and support. We strongly encourage applicants to ensure that they have no work commitments or other obligations during the time of the training, which is a full-time activity.

Accessibility info:

This training course and venue are not fully accessible to people with different kinds of mobility impairments. The program includes longer outdoor activities (e.g., hiking) which should be taken into consideration based on your physical capabilities if you plan to apply.

Programme Overview:

Arrival day: 4 May 2025

Day 1: Landing, getting to know each other and the youth work we do, building the group, and creating a safe (brave) learning and growing environment.

Day 2: Exploring the concepts and theories of holistic wellbeing, and how these relate to mental health in youth work. Participants will start to focus on personal wellbeing through movement and mindfulness activities.

Days 3 & 4: Further engaging participants in an intense journey of self-awareness, exploring emotions and reconnecting with self, others, and nature. Creating a concrete plan for transferring the tools, methods and good practices on wellbeing to working reality and personal life.

Day 5: Evaluation, networking, harvesting & future steps, and closing.

Departure day: 10 May 2025

All costs realated to the accommodation and food will be covered by the organisers.

Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries, Southern Mediterranean countries

English

This project is financed by the participating National Agencies (NAs) of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme. The participation fee varies from country to country. Please contact your National Agency or SALTO Resource Centre (SALTO) to learn more about the participation fee for participants from your country.

There is no participation fees for selected applicants from the Southern Mediterranean area.

Please contact your NA or SALTO in order to know whether they would support your travel costs. If yes, after being selected, get in touch with your NA or SALTO again to learn more about the overall procedure to arrange the booking of your travel tickets and the reimbursement of your travel expenses.

For Southern Mediterranean selected participants, SALTO EuroMed will book directly and cover the flight ticket.