Study visit Youth Work Works: Mental Health & Wellbeing

What is the study visit about: 

The focus of this study visit is the role of youth work in promoting the mental well-being of young people.  

The centrepiece of this visit is the 2nd National Youth Work Congres, taking place on 6th of June. One of the priority themes is mental health. On the day before and after, participants will be offered field visits and workshops on the topic of mental well-being. 

Background information on the National Youth Work Congres 

The second National Youth Work Congres entitled #Youthworkworks is one of the largest events in the youth field in Belgium. This lively one-day event is organised by De Ambrassade (the national youth work support centre) and aims at gathering the entire youth field in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking community in Belgium). During this day, a wide range of workshops, exchange opportunities and other activities will be offered. The mental wellbeing of young people is one of the 6 priority themes at this event. Several workshops or talks on this particular topic will be offered in English, to allow international participants to join in. 

The first edition of the Congres took place in 2018 and resulted into the adoption of a common framework on the DNA & mission of youth work. This framework highlights the shared mission of youth work and the DNA of a youth worker and supports the adoption of a common language. At the upcoming Congres, this 5-year old framework will be updated and a new section on the impact of youth work will be added.  

The Congres contributes to the European Youth Work Agenda, aimed at supporting youth work development. 

What does the study visit offer - during this study visit, participants will: 

• Be introduced into structures, practices and policies in Flanders, Belgium that promote the mental well-being of young people in the youth sector. 
• Reflect on the new guiding framework for youth workers and their organisations on the mental health of young people. This framework has been developed by the national youth work support centre, the youth field and key stakeholders in the area of mental well-being.  
• Learn about inspirational mental well-being approaches and practices through field visits to youth organisations in Brussels or elsewhere. 
• Meet & exchange with fellow youth workers from Belgium and other European countries with a similar interest in the mental wellbeing of young people. 
• Be offered the opportunity to share and discuss their own perspectives, practices and challenges related to the topic. 
• Learn about the youthwork community in Flanders and its common framework on the mission of youth work, core characteristics of youth workers and impact of youth work. 

Timing  

Arrivals on Monday: 5th of June. Start of the program at 5:00 PM CEST. 

Full working days: Tuesday, 6th and Wednesday: 7th of June. 

Departure day: Thursday morning, 8th of June. 

See the preliminary program in the attachment. 

Participant profile 

This activity is intended for youth workers (paid or voluntary) who are looking for inspirational approaches to the promotion of mental health among the young people they reach out to. 

Participants are strongly encouraged to share their expertise, perspectives, practices, tools or other input related to the topic from their national contexts. In the programme, there will be opportunities for exchange. 

You can apply to be a participant in this training if you are a professional or voluntary youth worker, who is regularly working directly with young people or supporting other youth workers. You have a clear role in the organisation that you work with and your organisation regularly runs activities, open houses, or projects at the local, regional or national level. You must be over 18 years old.