Católica promotes inclusion and empowerment with workshops for vulnerable mothers
The Capacitar para Salvar and Capacitar para Proteger projects, promoted by the School of Nursing of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, joined forces to hold two joint workshops at the Escola de Talentos of Apoio à Vida, a partner of VIDA - Voluntariado na Católica.
The training session aimed at promoting health education in vulnerable communities, held on 9 December, had 14 participants, women aged between 18 and 40, students from the Escola de Talentos and new mothers.
For António Borges and Filipa Veludo, lecturers at the Católica School of Nursing and coordinators of the Capacitar para Salvar project, this partnership reflects the university's mission of social responsibility.
"The training sessions were organised between teachers, students, alumni and trainees, highlighting the way in which people who, despite being in an unfavourable social situation, manage to motivate themselves to seek out the best knowledge and practices that will enable them to face future challenges", she shared.
The workshops covered two essential topics: the first, within the scope of Capacitar para Salvar, focused on basic life support, while the second, within the scope of Capacitar para Proteger, explored body mechanics and mobilisation techniques for people with reduced mobility.
According to António Borges and Filipa Veludo, "the articulation of the two projects fostered an integrated vision between teams from different Service-Learning projects, promoting cohesion and involvement in a common goal: the personal and professional training of students in the creation of a fairer and more balanced society".
In the opinion of Maria Themudo, Coordinator of the Escola de Talentos of Apoio à Vida, this initiative "was an important contribution to Courses 49 and 50 of the Talent School. The contents of two subjects, "Care for the Elderly and Dependent People" and "Care for Babies and Children", were reinforced, allowing the students to acquire more knowledge and skills in these two areas".
Created in 2014, the Escola de Talentos of Apoio à Vida prepares mothers who are becoming independent for the labour market, offering practical training in domestic services and family support. The workshops not only provide the participants with technical knowledge, but also strengthen their confidence and autonomy.
For António Borges and Filipa Veludo, this training programme reflects the impact of the Universidade Católica's partnerships with institutions such as Apoio à Vida, promoting the creation of inclusive communities.
"In a very supportive and extremely simple environment, it was possible to make a commitment to social responsibility, training this community in basic life support skills and the use of body mechanics principles in mobilisation techniques for people with reduced mobility", they concluded.