On 27 January 2026, a project activity of the international project “Enhancing Social Inclusion and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups through Integrated and Creative Methodologies” was held at the Šiauliai City Municipality Care Home. The event focused on the presentation and discussion of the SOCREATIVE methodology “Creative Methods for the Empowerment of Socially Vulnerable Groups.”
The meeting brought together 20 specialists from Šiauliai city and district who organise occupational and empowerment activities for various target groups in their daily professional practice. During the meeting, participants were introduced to the progress of the project, achieved results, and future implementation steps were discussed.
Participants were practically introduced to a variety of creative occupational techniques, including:
- ceramics;
- visual arts;
- colour music;
- cement-based crafts;
- plaster handicrafts;
- candle making;
- soap making;
- aromatic activities.
The following topics were discussed during the meeting:
- the concept of the SOCREATIVE methodology: its objectives, purpose, and development context;
- the importance of creative occupation in social work and psychosocial well-being;
- specific aspects of working with different target groups (seniors, children and youth, persons with disabilities, mixed groups);
- application possibilities of practical creative methods;
- organisation of activities, ensuring a safe environment, and individualisation of activities;
- reflection, impact assessment, and the role of the specialist.
During the practical session, led by the team of specialists from the Šiauliai City Municipality Care Home, participants were introduced to SOCREATIVE methodology model and its structure. The event concluded with a discussion, a feedback session, and an exchange on potential directions for further development of the methodology.
The event was filmed, and highlights of the meeting as well as project activities were featured on Etaplius Television, contributing to the dissemination of the project and raising public awareness about the application of creative methods in social work.
We are pleased that the developed methodology and its practical component received very positive feedback from the participants. Specialists unanimously emphasised that the SOCREATIVE methodology is an innovative yet practical tool, highly useful in everyday professional practice when organising occupational and empowerment activities for socially vulnerable groups.
