BE PREPARED!
If you are an accompanying person/support staff who would like to travel together with young people with disabilities, we would like to provide you information very briefly about the programmes you might be part of.
What are the programmes you can be involved in?
What are the expectations towards you?
Youth exchanges
The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is a European Union initiative that fosters cross-cultural understanding among young people. It provides opportunities for participants aged 13 to 30 to engage in short-term international exchanges between 6-21 days, promoting personal development, intercultural learning, and social inclusion. It employs various methods, including experiential learning, non-formal education, and peer-to-peer activities. Participants engage in hands-on experiences, group discussions, workshops, and cultural activities to promote personal and social development. The program emphasizes active participation, reflection, and intercultural dialogue to enhance the learning process and foster a sense of community among the youth involved. It facilitates international collaborations among young people, addressing diverse topics such as cultural diversity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and more, to promote personal development and foster a sense of European citizenship.
Short-term volunteering
The European Solidarity Corps short-term volunteering enables young people to engage in impactful and diverse volunteer projects across Europe, fostering solidarity, cultural exchange, and personal development through shorter-term commitments.
It covers diverse topics such as community development, social inclusion, environmental conservation, and more, providing young participants with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to various projects across Europe.
DiscoverEU
DiscoverEU for young people with fewer opportunities is an inclusive initiative providing travel opportunities and cultural experiences to empower and broaden the horizons of disadvantaged youth across Europe. There is a special part of the programme that is dedicated to young people with fewer opportunities or disabilities, where they can get support from an organisation, and can be accompanied by helpers. All cost are covered for the helpers as well.
What can be your role as an accompanying person?
The role of an accompanying person varies depending on the context, but in the context of programs like Erasmus+ or similar initiatives, an accompanying person is often responsible for supporting and assisting participants, particularly those with special needs or fewer opportunities. That role may include:
Logistical Support: Assisting participants with travel arrangements, accommodations, and other practical aspects of the program.
Emotional Support: Providing emotional support and guidance to participants, especially those who may face challenges or difficulties during the program.
Facilitating Inclusion: Ensuring that participants with special needs or fewer opportunities are included in all activities and have equal access to the program’s benefits.
Communication: Acting as a liaison between program organizers, participants, and relevant stakeholders, ensuring effective communication.
Safety and Well-being: Monitoring the well-being and safety of participants and addressing any concerns that may arise during the program.
Cultural Mediation: Assisting participants in navigating cultural differences and helping them engage effectively in the program’s activities.
Advocacy: Advocating for the needs and rights of participants with special requirements, ensuring they have a positive and inclusive experience.
Once you see the dinamics of a group, and your supporting role is less needed, don’t be afraid to participate, of course not forgetting and respecting your participant’s needs!
Best way of learning is listening to real experiences
Let’s listen to some of those who have already participated in a project as an accompanying person or a facilitator!