Innovative social services are a response to the diverse social challenges we face in an increasingly complex world.
Care is not solely the responsibility of a family, an individual or a social service provider — it is the strength of the community and a shared responsibility.
Dialogue and cooperation are only possible when we enter the conversation with an “empty mind”, ready to truly listen to one another and accept differences.
There is no “THEM” — there is “US”. “ALL OF US.”
These were just some of the key insights shared on 10 February at the experience exchange and inspiration event “Shared Cooperation and Shared Care”, organised by the Society Integration Foundation (SIF). More than 110 social service providers and representatives of social services from across Latvia gathered to engage in meaningful discussions about how, by recognising people’s diverse needs and introducing small but meaningful changes, we can collectively provide care more effectively — and how essential cooperation and human-centred communication are in this process.
The event opened with a lecture by communication, leadership and cooperation expert Aija Iesalniece titled “How Conversation Can Both Build and Destroy Cooperation.” Participants drew inspiration and encouragement from the experience stories shared by three social service providers — the Children and Family Support Association “Miera Osta”, the Family Development Centre “Aka”, and the Saldus Municipality Agency “Social Service”. These organisations have received financial support through the ESF+ project implemented by SIF and have begun developing innovative, community-based social services.
Effective and modern social service provision depends significantly on cooperation among organisations in the sector. During the co-creation session “What Do I Need to Work More Easily and Effectively?”, participants identified their key partner organisations, cooperation challenges and needs. The conclusions drawn from this session will serve as a basis for further activities by the Society Integration Foundation in developing innovative social services.
The event concluded with an inspiring lecture by theologian, lecturer and co-founder of the mental health community “Elizeja”, Kaspars Simanovičs, titled “When Helping Others, It Is Important Not to Forget Yourself. Emotional Intelligence as the Foundation of Self-Care.” The lecture offered social service professionals — whose daily work is often fast-paced and filled with responsibility — an opportunity to look at their work from a more human and personal perspective.
We thank all participants for their engagement, shared presence and the high evaluation of the event.
The experience exchange and inspiration event “Shared Cooperation and Shared Care” is part of the ESF+ project implemented by the Society Integration Foundation, “Support for New Approaches in the Provision of Community-Based Social Services”, within which innovative social services are being developed across Latvia.
