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The project is a follow-up of the WeDo project from 2010-2012 and is coordinated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and supported by the Gruntvig programme.

It aims at supporting practice exchange between organisations working in the field of formal, non-formal or informal adult education to stimulate cooperation in planning and delivering long-term care services and so improving quality of life for older people in need of care and assistance.

The WeDO2 developed the following activities:

  • Transnational meetings involving the developers, trainers and learners
  • Development of a ‘train the trainer’ toolkit inspired from the WeDO project outcomes, for different target groups
  • Development of learning areas (one in each country) where trainings will be tested
  • Update of the WeDO website with the WeDO2 project activities

Adapting training to local contexts

At the event, participants and trainers who tested the training material shared their experiences. According to them, the training material should be adopted to local context and the involvement of older people, but also other age groups in important.

The project also consisted of local side visits which were reported at the event. Participants described the De Hogeweyk dementia village in the Netherlands, a Belgium Care home that considers lifestyles and habits, the initiative Dementia and Art that provides 50 guided tours in Cologne museums, as well as local dance courses for people with and without dementia.

There will be also a webinar on 30th June from 10.00 to 11.30 am (CET) on the project and the use of the quality care training package. Should you wish to participate, please register here by the 29th June at the latest.

Challenges for local authorities

ESN Policy Officer Lisa Schönenberg presented the recent result of the ESN Working Group Ageing and Care and outlined challenges and opportunities for local authorities to provide quality services, such as the measurement of quality, the contracting process of providers and information about the outcomes of the service.

Alan Sinclair, Director of Adult Social Services in Slough emphasised the need, but also the challenges, to put policy into practice. The council faces a 25% budget decrease over the next 4 years. Nevertheless, he sees potential in the new Care Act that puts an emphasis on prevention, adult safeguarding and personalisation. Moreover, the Better Care Fund will support the integration of health and social services by pooling budgets.