International Tool Fair XVII - ‘Mental Health - Minds in Motion’

What is the International Tool Fair?

The International Tool Fair (ITF) is an Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps community-of-practice event that brings together diverse organisations and project leaders within Youth, Sports, School Education, Adult Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors across Europe and beyond borders.

The event provides an opportunity to learn, collaborate and share knowledge around innovative methods and best practices in formal and non-formal learning, through the exploration and exchange of ‘educational tools’. An educational tool can be thought of as the way we transfer and implement educational goals into a practice that engages participants in the learning process. Tools can take various forms, such as simulation exercises, creative workshops, role plays, outdoor activities and more.

2023 International Tool Fair Theme

The theme of the ITF XVII edition is ‘Mental Health – Minds in Motion’. This theme is dedicated to exploring non-formal tools and approaches to Mental Health and is designed to engage a range of participants, including teachers, sports staff, youth workers, VET professionals, volunteers, adult educators, researchers, and trainers.

During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to:

- Explore a range of Mental Health themes, tools and approaches through facilitator-led workshops, peer-to-peer discussions, deep-engagement sessions, and interactive activities.

-Become inspired and connect new tools, methodologies, and practices to your organisation’s context, your local reality, and your professional/personal experiences.

- Share and discuss how to apply mental health tools across sectors and in diverse contexts and settings.

- Discover how mental health tools can be used to enhance Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership projects. 

- Reflect on mental health practices, research, and competences across all sectors (youth, sport, schools, VET and adult Education).

Have a workshop that you’d like to share? 

We are welcoming participants to lead informal 90-minute workshops sharing a tool, approach or method that you have developed or facilitated on a mental health topic in schools, youth, adult, VET education.  
If you’re interested just outline the details in your application. If you are not interested, you can simply attend as a participant to enjoy all our offerings.  

Have an initiative you’d like to promote or a tool but don’t want to lead a workshop?  

You can join our “Tool Market” an informal space where participants can bring publications, ideas, and tools relevant to Mental Health. This market will focus on the contribution of the youth workers, sports coaches, teachers, VET professionals, and researchers or educators of the hosting country. Please let us know in the application if you would like to exhibit something during the Tool Market. 

Speakers: 

Dr Sharon Lambert joined the teaching staff in the UCC School of Applied Psychology in January 2015 following a number of years working with excluded young people and their families. Sharon’s research interests revolve primarily around inclusion psychology/inclusion health in the areas of mental health, substance dependence, homelessness and trauma and consequent impacts on service design and delivery. Sharon conducts research projects based within community settings in collaboration with relevant stakeholders –these organisations span statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations.  Sharon has completed research projects with Focus Ireland, Novas Limerick, HSE Inclusion Health, YouthRise, An Garda Siochana, Alcohol Action Ireland, National Family Support Network, Youth Work Ireland, the National Ambulance Service, The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Cork City Fire Service, Traveller Visibility Group, HSE Addiction Services, and many more. 

Wala’ Al Smadi Senior, Programmes Officer and Generation for Peace  (Homepage - Generations For Peace)  Wala’ supports the Programmes Department and volunteers in programme design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programmes in Jordan, to maximise positive change and sustainable impact in local communities. 

Tool to explore: 

DCU - Connect, Create, Participate, tool that will explore Diversity, equity and inclusive mental health and Community-based practices Certificate in Peer Support Working in Mental Health (dcu.ie) 

Mieli Mental Health Finland MIELI material pack for teachers on how to talk about mental health with pupils.  

Jigsaw – Tool Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF)  

Amir Abualrob is a Palestinian performer and theatre-maker. In 2013 joined The Freedom Theatre (TFT), Jenin refugee camp, Palestine. Amir will present a tool on youth mental health practices