Care4Dem: intense preparation going on in view of the piloting of the innovative Mutual Aid Group model
This week our Italian member Anziani e Non Solo, coordinator of CARE4DEM Erasmus + project, hosted the first CARE4DEM training event, aimed to develop the necessary skills related to the CARE4DEM web-based mutual aid groups (MAG) model. This event gathered 13 staff members from the partner organisations responsible for the delivery of the piloting of the model in their country as well as members of Eurocarers interested in the project.
Indeed, the main components of the CARE4DEM innovative model of support online for carers of people with dementia are being finalised, and the piloting is to start in July 2019, after translation of the contents. Building on transnational research, the CARE4DEM model of web-based MAG will provide, beside the MAG model itself, a series of tools aimed to facilitate its implementation by professionals: a facilitator’s competence profile, a multi-media course for facilitators, and a network of professionals across the EU working towards improving the support offered to informal carers.
At the end of this 3 days training activity, participants are able to:
- Present the web-based mutual aid group model adequately;
- Describe properly all features of the model;
- Identify and recognise good practices in mutual aid groups;
- Organise and deliver the pilot test of the model;
- Prepare the evaluation system.
The training was based on a participative approach, building on the expertise of the participants to further improve the content of the CARE4DEM model. Overall, participants appreciated the event very positively. This week event will be complemented by a second training event in June 2019, focusing on the blended training for facilitators. Then the recruitment will start in order to test the CARE4DEM model with 8 groups of 5 to 8 carers in each country (Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain).
The final outcomes of the piloting and evaluation of the CARE4DEM model will be available in June 2020.