FairCare_ENG_People in need of care
Section outline
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The FairCare peer training course for people with disabilities and older people with care needs not only aims to strengthen their empowerment but also to qualify them as trainers who can contribute to adult education within the FairCare framework. Peer counselling and peer support are well-established methods based on the principles of the Independent Living movement of people with disabilities and aim to promote empowerment and self-determination.
The training course is a central element of the FairCare project, as it provides the foundation for a high-quality, practice-oriented and inclusive learning programme in long-term care. Through close cooperation between the partner organisations and the involvement of the project advisory groups, a professionally grounded curriculum was developed that takes into account the perspectives and needs of all target groups and presents the content in a clear and practice-relevant way.
The training course is particularly relevant because it follows a user-oriented development process. The involvement of people with lived experience in care contexts ensures that the learning content reflects the actual needs of older people, people with disabilities, informal carers and professional care workers. The train-the-trainer approach also enables the sustainable transfer of knowledge and competences and contributes to the development of a first generation of FairCare trainers.
The training course therefore contributes to fostering inclusive learning processes, strengthening digital competences and supporting equal cooperation among all stakeholders involved in long-term care.
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This module supports participants to reflect on their personal strengths, needs, preferences, and boundaries in everyday care situations. It creates a safe and accessible space where participants can recognise what helps them feel respected and involved. Participants develop a short personal “My Profile” to guide their participation in FairCare and strengthen collaboration with carers and peers.
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This module supports people in need in exploring how they identify with their role within the care and support system. Through peer counselling activities, participants reflect on how their identity has been shaped by experiences of vulnerability and how it can evolve. The module uses narrative tools to foster awareness, empowerment, and systemic understanding.
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The module introduces the concept of the peer approach and explains the meaning of the term “peer,” its historical background, and its core principles and attitudes. It provides an overview of the guiding principles and methodological foundations of peer counselling and peer support. In addition, the module examines how the peer approach can contribute to democratic participation and collaborative learning. Participants are introduced to the relevance and potential of peer-based methods in different social and support contexts.
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This module focuses on strengthening self-advocacy skills among care recipients, enabling them to actively participate in decisions about their care and daily life. It supports participants in understanding their role as experts of their own needs and experiences. The module also develops proactivity and the ability to request changes or support in a constructive and respectful way. Through practical examples, participants learn how to express their interests effectively while maintaining positive relationships with caregivers and services.
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The module introduces the basic principles of effective communication and explores common barriers that can hinder mutual understanding. It focuses on how to clearly express needs, possibilities and personal boundaries in different care situations. In addition, the module presents alternative forms of communication that can support inclusive and accessible interaction.
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This module explores the concept of peer relationships and peer counselling, focusing on how people in similar life situations can support each other through shared experiences. It highlights the importance of mutual support, personal development, and learning from both positive and negative examples. Participants will reflect on how peer connections can strengthen coping skills and emotional wellbeing. The module also introduces practical ways of communicating, motivating, and supporting each other in caregiving and care-receiving contexts.
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This module focuses on understanding and managing conflicts between care recipients and both formal and informal caregivers within the framework of fair, inclusive, and person-centered care promoted by the FairCare project. It addresses key issues identified in the FairCare application and survey results, such as communication barriers, emotional stress, and unclear expectations in care relationships. Through participatory and reflective learning, the module helps participants develop practical strategies to prevent conflicts, handle disagreements effectively, and foster respectful and cooperative care environments.´.
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This module supports participants in reflecting on experiences related to care situations and identifying possible ways to deal with challenging situations. Through peer exchange and discussion, participants explore different perspectives and develop practical solutions. The module encourages active participation and strengthens the ability of people in need of care to contribute as peer‑trainers in learning and support processes.
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This module introduces participants to fair, inclusive, and participatory evaluation in care settings, where those needing care are actively involved in assessing their own experiences. It shifts evaluation from a top-down process to a shared, collaborative practice, with all stakeholders: people in need of care, informal caregivers, and formal caregivers, contributing equally.
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This module supports participants in reflecting on how the learning experiences of the FairCare training can be transferred into action. Building on the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course, participants explore what makes a learning centre inclusive, effective and empowering in care contexts. The module introduces the relevance of intersectionality when designing learning spaces and supports participants in imaginatively designing and simulating a FairCare Training Centre. Through collaborative design, role‑play and feedback, participants consolidate their role as active contributors and potential peer trainers within FairCare.