Can culture and art help people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities? And how can tutors, educators, art and occupational therapists, and other professionals in the social field use them in a structured way in their work?

These are the topics we focus on with our project “BAM-SKILLS – Bringing Artistry and Motivation into Social Care Work through Capacity Building and Validation of Skills” (2025-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000360982). The partners are: FONSS from Romania, Creativity and Educational Studio “ARTIED” from Bulgaria, VSI EDUKACINIAI PROJEKTAI (EDUPRO) from Lithuania, STP Consulting from Spain and BiannaArt from Austria.

The project’s general objective is to improve inclusion and quality of life of people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities by equipping VET providers, social workers, art & labour therapists and other care professionals with new competences and training tools based on cultural prescriptions and adapted arts & craft activities, and by helping them to verify their competences acquired through different educational experiences.

During the project we will:

1. Develop a 5-module Training Programme, focused on how different types of arts can be used in social work with people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, including dementia and autism, and an Educator’s Manual with 5 lesson plans, one for each module. Topics, which we will cover in the Programme, are: 1) Progressive evolution of the mechanism of “cultural prescribing” in health and social care, in Europe; 2) Using art and craft activities with adult autistic people / autistic learners and practical occupational activities – candles, soap making, recycling, etc; 3) Art appreciation and craft activities for people with dementia and other cognitive decline impairments (including creative reminiscence and adaptation of Montessori approach to working with older adults); 4) Using music and dance activities with people with cognitive disabilities; 5) Nature-Based Therapy of Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature (by using senses, like sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell), including for creating emotional wellbeing strategies and preventing occupational burnout.
2. Organise and test a 2-stage competence validation system – at national level in each project country, and at international level – through an international training in Romania.
3. Develop practical national case studies on how to verify skills acquired through different educational initiatives.
4. Create a local promotional team of trained professionals in each partner country.
5. Organise a series of webinars and multiplication events for dissemination of the project results and achievements.

For more information, please check our Facebook profile, the project website or its profiles in social media.

The project “BAM-SKILLS – Bringing Artistry and Motivation into Social Care Work through Capacity Building and Validation of Skills” (2025-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000360982) is funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the EU.

                  2025-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000360982                 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the ANPCDEFP. Neither the European Union nor the ANPCDEFP can be held responsible for them.