Mindful Pathways: Wellbeing tools for youth work!

The increase in burnout is particularly alarming given the ongoing global challenges, such as the aftermath of COVID-19, the escalating impacts of climate change, and persistent geopolitical conflicts. These external pressures have intensified the demands on youth workers, leading to heightened stress and mental health challenges. Addressing these challenges is critical for building resilience in youth workers and ensuring they can continue to facilitate meaningful youth work and non-formal education. 

By placing a strong emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of youth workers, we aim to spark a ripple effect that promotes positive change, ultimately benefiting the young people they support. When youth workers are healthy and resilient, they can offer more effective guidance and foster the growth of the youth they engage with, especially those facing significant challenges. 

In this spirit, the "Mindful Pathways: Wellbeing tools for youth work!" training course will bring together 24 youth workers, young leaders, and educators from 8 countries to explore and acquire practical tools for managing stress and enhancing well-being. Integrating Mindfulness practices, Meditation, Sound Healing, Body-Mind Centering, Feldenkrais, Somatic Experiencing, Embodiment Therapy, Theatre and Artistic Expression into the training course, offering a holistic approach to tackling burnout. 

These methods not only provide tools for immediate stress relief but also promote long-term well-being, resilience, and a deeper connection between mind and body. 

The objectives of the project are :

• To investigate the underlying factors affecting the mental well-being of youth workers, with a focus on how global challenges and the demanding nature of their roles impact their mind-body connection. 
• To introduce mindfulness and meditation techniques that can help youth workers develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, allowing them to manage stress more effectively. 
• To equip youth workers with body-mind centering and embodiment practices, enabling them to recognize and release physical tension, fostering a deeper sense of balance and well-being. 
• To offer therapeutic tools that youth workers can use to address burnout and stress, such as embodiment therapy, which encourages self-awareness and emotional regulation through movement and somatic experiences.
• To raise awareness about the importance of holistic well-being in youth work, advocating for approaches that integrate mental, emotional, and physical health to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of youth programs.
• To create a supportive network for youth workers where they can share experiences, challenges, and strategies, particularly in relation to using these holistic methods for self-care and professional development. 

More details are in the info pack through the link: https://sites.google.com/view/mindfulpathways-wellbeing/program?authuser=0