Project Barnablick redefining child advocacy within a non-for-profit organisation Therese Ek Blidberg and Martin Broby

/ Stockholm City Mission was founded in 1853 Core services: Education, Social Enterprise and Social Services 400 paid members of staff and 300 part-time volunteers Three main funding streams: public grants/contracted services, donations/sponsorship, revenue from Social Enterprise Unga Station (House for Young people) has 15 workers who meet 650 children, young people and adults every month. Project Barnablick is a three year project within Unga Station and is financed by Jerringfonden. Background

/ The aim is to develop a working model that, based on the convention of the rights of the child, provides practical support for children aged 8-15 years and their network. The families we meet are often children with single mothers of non-Swedish and often non-western background that are isolated, segregated, have language difficulties and generally are economically poor. Parents often have traumatic experiences and/or suffer from psychological weaknesses. Most children and families make the initial contact via open activities. Aim and Target Group

/ Unique combination of Open Activities and Supportive Activities under the same roof with the same workers. The child and the child’s needs are ALWAYS in focus Focus on Time Focus on the physical environment 'Come as You are‘ Child Advocacy through carrying the child’s voice into different adult contexts, both internally and externally Focus on HOW – a relation building effort

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/ Open Thursday Nights: 41 occasions, 456 people of which 162 children Excursions: 13 occasions, 405 people of which 244 children Child Conversations/Counseling: 30 families with 1 or more children involved Results 2011 External evaluation shows that the project's work is primarily risk prevention and that through interaction with the projects work, families have created protective factors. Children feel that meeting the worker and participating in the various services is meaningful and provides momentary freedom from daily worries. Parents find motivation in seeing their children interact with other children in a positive manner and that they can turn to the worker for further support in times of need

/ THANK YOU A complete overview and analysis of the projects work and future questions will be presented 1 October 2012 at the International Children’s Day at Unga Station in Stockholm, Sweden. Contact details: Therese Ek Blidberg / Martin Broby /