For young adults

Here, you can explore a variety of examples showcasing the collaborative work undertaken by our link workers to co-create solutions with young people. 
Name
Elena Mihai
Age
27
Background
A young Roma woman with a low level of education has been hired temporarily as a cleaner in a public service centre, but she is now unemployed. She is economically and emotionally dependent on her husband. She finds joy in household tasks and spending time with her family. Facing challenges in integrating into the labour market due to her lack of a driving licence and perceived ethnic discrimination, she has taken part in funded training, but finds it difficult to see its relevance. Despite these obstacles, she has personal skills such as enthusiasm for challenges, responsibility, following the rules and maintaining positive relationships with her peers. Ideally, she seeks employment close to her community to reduce her dependence on public transport.
Link workers actions

Since the young woman doesn’t have a CV, the idea is to create one with the help of the link workers. She was asked to think about her skills and professional experiences for the CV. Three more sessions are planned to work on practical skills such as writing a CV, dealing with interviews and tips for actively looking for a job.  

  • The link workers suggested trying DuoDay with a careers guide: defining professional interests and establishing contacts with organisations to allow Elena to try out a profession for a day. 
  • They’re also looking into the possibility of getting a driving licence: if it’s something Elena wants and it opens up more options for employment and independence, they want to explore it further. 
Name
Liam Thompson
Age
24
Background
Liam is married, unemployed and receiving social support. He used to work as an auxiliary in an organisation but ended up quitting. He is good at tattooing and does some occasional work in this field; he also likes dancing and exercising.

One of the difficulties he feels is the cost of travelling to work. He would very much like to specialise as a tattoo artist but says that the courses are expensive.
Link workers actions
  • Understand his career goals: clarify whether his motivation is to have a tattoo business. Explore the possibility of working as a tattooist in another tattooist’s shop until he has the professional experience to have his own shop.

  • Consider combining work with a tattoo course: explore the possibility of working in a less preferred area while simultaneously taking a tattoo course. If the primary obstacle is the cost of the course, having a job might alleviate this concern. The link worker helps in this process.

  • Participate in a tattoo workshop before enrolling in the course to gain a better understanding of the professional dynamics. Similarly, it’s crucial to connect Liam with an experienced tattooist who can address any questions or concerns.
Name
Emily Turner
Age
21
Background
Emily is a young woman (W) who has completed mandatory education, currently doing some short-term training, but doesn’t have her professional goals clearly defined, so she is a bit “lost”.
She has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and says she has difficulty controlling her emotions when she is upset. She loves reading, especially novels.

She would like to find a job or start funded training that will allow her to learn more.
Link workers actions
  • Deepen the knowledge of health issues. Is she being monitored? By whom? What about psychotherapy? The link worker can help bridge the gap with health services.

  • Labour issues: has Emily had any experience? What would she like to do? The link worker can, together with her, help with drawing up a CV, preparing for job interviews, and registering with job centres.

  • What about skills other than professional ones? The link worker can help Emily look for group activities that allow them to develop emotional and communication skills within the community. They can also include volunteering in areas that Emily enjoys, and referrals to other services, among other things.
Name
A.
Age
27
Background

I’m A. and I’m 27. I’ve always been a lively and up to new adventures child. I loved school, doing my homework and seeing my friends and I had a clear daily routine. I studied at the Centro Moda Canossa di Trento: I always loved to create something new so I found my space in this professional school where manual skills and imagination are key competencies. At the end of the fourth year (this is a 3+2 path) I decided to take a break, a year off to relax and to plan my future. Sadly in that year I lost my daily routine and some of my school friends and I had my first panic attack. I was scared and I looked for professional help: an anxiety and panic disorder was diagnosed with me.

Year after year I fell into a daily routine of nothing in the only place where I felt safe: my home. While friends, classmates and peers were beginning their own life traveling, working and starting a family I was frozen, unable to say or do anything different from looking at others’ lives evolving.

I lived 9 years in this awful situation: for me it was unthinkable to find and maintain a job, not only because of my clinical condition but also because of employers prejudice about mental illness. Which company is attracted by an empty CV, when the last experience is ten years old?

I don’t know if it was luck or fate but in January 2023 I heard about COPE, a project for young people who are not studying or working, just link me. I was hopeless but I took the first step and I agreed to a face-to-face meeting. I think my rebirth started that day. I met Marika, the person who would have supported me in this path. During our first meeting we talked a lot and I shared my difficulties without any fear or anxiety to be judged, because I was talking with a person who was disposed to listen.

That day started my change of approach about work, too. Step by step, together, once a week me and Marika faced the process of finding a job. We rewrote my CV from scratch, we prepared and tried  the job interview, we searched together for job offers and called to collect more information. I knew I could call Marika everytime I needed it. She was like a crutch for me, a shoulder to lean on. Someone halfway between a psychologist that listens without judgment but can’t help in the job-seeking process, and an employment agency where the job is the only priority, despite your desires or needs.

Knowing that I could count on someone like Marika helped me to become aware of my skills and qualities and I improved my self-esteem. Some months later I found my first real job. At the beginning it wasn’t easy, but knowing that  I could text Marika if I needed it made me feel better.

I think I’m the proof, together with other young people involved, that this project works and that link workers (people link Marika), can definitely help other “lost” young people living in the fear of being forgotten by society. I decided to write my story with the hope to help other young people living mine – or similar – situations. I want to tell them that this isn’t a permanent situation, with the help of this project they can restart to build a future worth living.    

Name
K.

Age
29
Background
I’m k. and I’m 29. I heard about this project thanks to Sabrina, who came to the mental health service to introduce the COPE project to the users. I really appreciated her interest in us as beneficiaries, when she explained the project I felt eager to start soon and a big hope was raised in me.

A few days later I called the project and I knew Marika. The meeting with Marika was one of the nicest things, it wasn’t the standard job interview but a safe space where I could be myself with my qualities and difficulties. She became an important reference point for me. I think the key aspect of the project is the opportunity to say clearly who we are and which desires we have, because it makes it easier to understand our real aims. Sometimes we only want to find a job but maybe in that clear moment we need something else, like a training or studying path.

This was my case: I ended my training course and I will soon start an internship.

I’m happy but a bit worried because I’ve been out of the job market for a long time, but I’m ready to take a risk thanks to Marika and this project. I want to thank all the people involved in COPE. I hope this project will continue to reach many other young people and enable them to find themselves and achieve his goals.
Name
L.

Age
16

Background

L. is a 16 years old young woman with a difficult family history: she had a violent dad and she ran away with her mum and little brother.

She had a custody experience in another family. She is helped by the local social services and an educator, at school she has relational problems with a drop out risk.

She asked the LW for a safe space – out of the official public services – where express herself.

She was supported during the first meeting in a new high school, more interesting and nearest to her, where she is attending with perseverance.
Name
N.
Age
16
Background
N. is a 16 years old woman, in a school dropout situation because of relational and studying difficulties. She came from the south of Italy, she has a large family and they moved several times.

Her main objective is to spend time with her boyfriend and to find a part-time job.

Several discussion and vent meetings were done with the LW, useful to understand what direction to take. Calls, meetings, events to know local associations and opportunities were made.

Sadly her young age and her scholar situation were an obstacle to finding a stable job. She started little seasonal job experiences and she volunteered in a summer camp.
Name
D.
Age
19
Background

D. is a 19 years old young man, he reached his high school diploma and he loves video games.

He was disoriented and confused about his future, but two meetings were enough for him to take action and sign up to a video-makers course.

He ended the course positively and now he’s looking for a job for this summer.