INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the “e-Workbook for tutors on Group Social Mentoring” (further e-Workbook), which have been developed under the EC Grundtvig project “INNOVATIVE METHODS AND PRACTICES TO FACILITATE SOCIAL INCLUSION: LIGHT” in cooperation of eight European organisations and institutions: Social Innovation Fund (LT), Vytautas Magnus University (LT), European Innovation Centre (LT), ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women (CZ), Volkshochschule Göttingen e.V. (DE), Baobab Association, Catalan association for multipurpose train (ES); Stichting Gamma Dienstverlening and Merseyside Expanding Horizons (UK).

The main aim of the project LIGHT - to increase capacity and willingness of socially disadvantaged persons (unemployed, migrants and senior citizens) to be fully integrated into society and labour market by moving from social exclusion to social inclusion. Thus, aiming to foster the social mobility, which is associated with individuals’ opportunities and capacities for progression to overcome social exclusion, project partners developed innovative learning approach – group social mentoring, and piloted it within five partner countries. This approach is a part of a Social Mobility Model, which also includes the two other methods: Role Model and Visual Workshops “Equal opportunities and non-discrimination” (both are available for downloading in English, Czech, German, Lithuanian and Spanish from the project’s LIGHT website www.socialmobility.eu).

This e-Workbook addresses adult educators and mentors, who are interested to use and implement the group social mentoring method for socially disadvantaged groups. It contains the following topics: social mentoring from the educational point of view; learning outcomes within social group mentoring; description and main features of group social mentoring; role of managers/coordinators, mentors and mentees; the process of group social mentoring; the methods of motivations of mentees to make positive changes in their life, formulating expectations and goals in order to move from social exclusion to social inclusion; training of managers/coordinators, mentors and mentees, monitoring of the mentoring process and etc.

All the parts of the e-Workbook are supported by Annexes, they are listed under the content part “Annexes”. While reading the text you will also find direct reference to the particular Annex. Moreover, the last, Annex No. 37, called “Toolbox for Mentors” consists of 12 practical exercises for mentees with instructions for mentors. This annex was specially developed to facilitate the mentor with some practical material, which could be used during the group social mentoring meetings.

For any question please contact project coordinator or partner in your country.