Abstract
Background: The research investigates how Social Prescribing intervention can be a valuable approach for young people aged 15-34 who are in a NEET situation (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and how was their experience with Link Workers.
Approach: We interviewed fifteen young people in a NEET situation from Italy who have participated in the pilot study of C.O.P.E. (Capabilities, Opportunities, Places and Engagement). The study is the first pilot in Italy specifically developed to address social and health needs of these young people through a Social Prescribing model. Link Workers and young people co-designed an Individual Action Plan, based on needs and aspirations, to support one or more of the following pathways: employment, education, training, socialisation, and health/wellbeing
Results: Young people participating in the study represented a heterogeneous population. They were divided into two main groups: those already supported by services and those who were not. The willingness to exit their social isolation was the main driver to access the intervention. The Link Workers, compared to other similar roles in existing support networks, represented the missing link in providing a stepped approach to enter or re-enter the labour market, educational and training programmes, socialisation and health/wellness opportunities, thanks to an increase of self-esteem in the young people. All participants have mentioned having received great support and achieved their goals, feeling more accountable and prepared to confront empowered and ready to face and embrace job and other opportunities. They valued this approach and recommended making it accessible at an earlier stage, among school students, to support them in the transition toward adulthood and avoid inactivity and social isolation.
Implications: The study reports the perceptions of young people in a NEET situation of Social Prescribing, as proposed by the project C.O.P.E.. It is the first research focusing on the implementation of this model in the Italian context, targeting this group of young people. The paper contributes, therefore, to extend the existing knowledge on Social Prescribing as an opportunity to co-design personalised pathways to support young people to reach their own ambitions and to find their place in their own community.