”I offer 3000 €!”- Encounter Art workshop with unemployed individuals

Abstract

This thesis aimed to organize and lead an Encounter Art workshop for unemployed immigrants. The objectives were to promote collaboration among all the participants, enhance their skills in receiving and giving appreciation, and being able to reflect on their workshop experience. The working life partner was YMCA’s TAT project (Toiminnan Avulla työelämään); the Theoretical framework focuses on unemployed immigrants, unemployment and health, the services meant for unemployed immigrants, and the power of creative methods.

Methods used to observe developmental tasks were oral feedback – group and individual- and observing the participants and a written questionnaire form at the end. We reached the objectives based on the feedback given by participants and working life partner; however, as the participation rate was low, the estimation was not as accurate as it could be. In conclusion, participants collaborated, and they learned to give and receive appreciation for themselves and others.