VSI VILNIAUS SOCIALINIS KLUBAS

Vilnius Social Club is a non-governmental organisation that aims to diminish social exclusion and to strengthen connections between people by using social and educational support. Vilnius Social Club works with children and young people aged from 7 to 20 who face social exclusion or behavioral, emotional, psychological difficulties in personal life/educational system. Our programmes: 1) Football In 2013 we began football training sessions with 15 youngsters growing up in foster homes. Five years later more than 80 children and young people participate in this unique programme which combines football and social education. There are 5 different groups by age. Our clients come from a range of difficult social environments and cultural backgrounds. The sessions and the discussions that take place afterwards help highlight common values and shared feelings between different people in the group. 2) Streetwork In 2016 we began a social streetwork programme in Vilnius’ Naujininkai district. This long-term programme aims to establish trustful relationships with young people facing social isolation and who normally spend their time in the streets. Our team works with those who face various difficulties in their families, personal lives, schools or job related difficulties. We chose Naujininkai because it’s one of the most socially problematic areas in Vilnius. The team of professional social workers work in four key areas. 1) In the street, by visiting ‘hot spots’ where young people gather. 2) Individual work with those who need to be approached individually. 3) Work with youth groups by creating group activities together. 4) Strengthening the network of partners working in the field. 3) Teenagers' club Vilnius Social Club’s social streetwork programme gave rise to the idea of a Teenagers’ club. The club runs a long-term social work programme for young people aged between 12 and 15 who face social exclusion and various difficulties at school and at home and who lack basic learning or/and social skills. The club is considered to be a step towards their social integration. In the Club we work with the same group of young people for at least a year, meeting them three times a week. Being in a group with the same people youngsters learn to communicate with each other, build relationships, solve conflicts, respect rules, and follow the agreements. Additionally, young people learn from experience through a range of activities including the preparation of meals, organising trips in the city and the countryside.