Work, help, support – 3P of STORM
In the STORM Association we work on the basis of low-threshold principles and are dedicated to the prevention of risky behaviour of different target groups. All our activities are aimed at reducing risks and harm in the lives of our clients. This is the so-called Harm Reduction philosophy. The purpose of the project is to encourage social inclusion and increase employability through practical job training.
The beginnings of the project date back to 2018, but on a much smaller scale. The project was so successful and in demand by clients that we decided to expand it with new activities and involve more people. In addition to social inclusion, the project aims to promote positive changes in the lives of clients through motivational interviewing, increasing work skills, skills, habits, more effective leisure time or learning responsibility and independence. Our questions are answered by Mgr. Terézia Bačová – social worker of the project.
What makes the project special?
“I have been working in the STORM Association for more than 2 years. I am one of the social workers of the 3P-work, help, support project. I conduct initial job interviews with the clients, conclude work agreements with them and accompany them throughout the whole process of job training. Through my work I am able to get to know the clients better and I personally perceive the progress in the lives of the clients who are included in the project.”
Since the beginning of 2021, 26 clients have joined the project, working a total of 180 hours and earning €720. 96% of the clients involved are currently long-term unemployed and 48% are post-release from prison.
“These facts often reduce their chances of entering the labour market, and the fact that we give them the chance to earn money for various purposes is perceived very positively by our clients. Most often, they need finance to pay the stamp duty on their ID cards, pay their health insurance debts, pay for accommodation, or buy groceries or phone credit. The client does not receive funds in cash. After completing the work training, the client and the worker create a plan of steps for social assistance, agree on a date, time and place to meet and, if the situation requires it, choose the most appropriate means of transport.”
She also interviewed one of the clients involved, in which she was interested in the perception of the project from the other side.
What was your motivation to get involved in the project?
“Definitely, of course, some financial help, help with documents, with certain offices and things like that.”
What do you see as positive about the project?
“Probably everything. When you think about it, for example the work here, yes, you sit in the warmth, you work, you drink coffee, tea, you go for a smoke, you don’t have any worries and you get what you need for the quasi.”
In what ways has it helped you to be involved in the project?
“A lot of things. I’ll start with the civic one, running around the offices, medical assistance in another case, quite, quite a lot of things.”
And what kind of work did you do?
“Packing the material, it’s like, well…but these new things that you’re introducing here, they’re quite nice, for example the painting with the waxworks, that was nice, then the modelling, that’s quite interesting, that’s quite interesting. Keep on developing that.”
What did you have to do to accomplish your goal?
“Of course I came here to ask if it was possible, if we knew how to do it and so on. Then just worked it off with whatever work and then the willingness on your part then, of course I have to remind you that you are very willing people. Then it was no problem to run out to Trnava to the police. The thing was handled. In another case it was considerably easier and quicker, I as far as here and as far as the health service is concerned, just a tribute unfortunately we have to tighten it up even more. We need to arrange for a specialist orthopaedic doctor and it would be good…now I don’t know whether it would be clearer to do the work first and then find out what the finances are going to be there or how much it’s going to cost or whether it would be more sensible to find out how much money it’s going to cost and do the work accordingly.”
Is there anything else you would like to add?
“If a person wants to work, they will work. If he doesn’t want to work, he won’t work. And if he works out of compulsion, then that’s what it looks like on that job.”
In the near future, we plan to expand our range of work activities to include art therapy techniques, writing articles for a forthcoming book that we plan to publish on the occasion of our 20th anniversary, and setting up a community garden in collaboration with our clients. Also thanks to ACF-Slovakia we will be able to realize all our plans, to improve our services a little bit more and to be closer to our clients. Thank you
