Teenagers in St Petersburg children's homes and those who have recently left institutional care are supported by psychologists and volunteer families to help them make the difficult transition to adult life. Group activities and individual therapy helps them overcome childhood traumas and prepare themselves for living independently, finding and keeping a job, and forming positive, trusting relationships.
Every year around 800 young people leave children's homes in St Petersburg. When they leave aged between 17 and 23 many of them will quickly find themselves homeless, involved in crime and risky behaviour. Surveys show that six years later three out of every four will still feel isolated and find it difficult to cope with life. Every aspect of their lives is affected: they are often unemployed, have poorer health, and find it difficult to maintain relationships.
The project offers psychological support and training in social and life skills to 60 young people who are about to leave, or who have recently left state care. This is through individual counselling and group work. Volunteers who also grew up in children's homes use their experience to help the younger orphans. Our aim is to strengthen our young people emotionally, to widen their social network, to prepare them to their future family life and help them take responsibility for their own lives
The 60 young people who take part in our programme will learn to take responsibility and solve their own problems in the future. We believe this is essential for their future happiness, their employability and the success of their future family life. Their success will benefit the whole community, meaning lower crime and anti-social behaviour and lower welfare dependency.
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