On 10 and 11 December, 2024, in the framework of the project “Hand in Hand”, a training on mentoring for young people took place in Kretinga Library. The training was attended by 15 participants from Saldus municipality – specialists of the municipal agency “Social Service”, employees of Saldus BJC, mentors and representatives of NGOs and 15 participants from Lithuania – social and youth workers of Kretinga, Gargždai, Raseiniai and Klaipeda youth centres, youth rooms and social service institutions.
The first training day was led by Loreta Danupiene, methodologist of Klaipėda Youth Centre and also implementer of street youth work. New experiences, methodologies and ideas for working with young people at social risk were gained. The main message is that everyone needs to feel welcome.
The second training day was led by Egidijus Gricius, an experienced youth worker. We thought a lot about our own motivation and that of the young people, we were encouraged to learn through games. The main message was that to make something happen you need a goal, a desire to improve something, an interest – that’s everyone’s motivation. The important thing is to enjoy doing the work.
During the coffee break, the team of the Day Activity Centre “Friendship Café” treated us with home-made delicacies – which is also a great, transferable experience.
Certificates were awarded at the end of the training. We said goodbye until the next project activities in Latvia and Lithuania. It was a valuable time to get to know the Lithuanian experience, as well as for the participants of Saldus region to get to know each other better, because it turns out that although many of us work in similar fields, we do not meet in everyday life, but we realised – it is worth to cooperate.