Anyone employed at the Gelsenkirchen workshops for adapted labour has had to deal with many changes in recent weeks. Since 18 March 2020, the facilities have been affected by a ban on entering the premises due to the ministerial decree issued in response to the crisis. This is not an easy situation for people with assistance needs, for whom regulated structures and daily routines are essential and provide a sense of security. With the gradual reopening in small groups that has now begun, there has not yet been a return to the normality that previously existed. Initially, only a small proportion of employees are allowed to resume work and hygiene requirements such as social distancing and the wearing of makeshift masks must be observed.

For autistic people*, such a change can already mean an increased level of stress. The group leaders have therefore come up with a special task to indirectly familiarise employees with wearing protective clothing such as face masks and gloves over a longer period of time: the ‘rubbish challenge’. During a walk together, the participants search for discarded items in order to have as full a bag as possible at the end of the day.

The task was met with great curiosity and enthusiasm, with Mr M saying: ‘It’s almost addictive!’ In addition to getting used to the unfamiliar protective clothing, the challenge helps employees to concentrate, the walk in the fresh air serves as exercise therapy and the positive feeling of having done something good for the environment comes free of charge with a full bin liner. Due to the high level of acceptance among employees, further campaigns will follow. A particularly large tour will be undertaken for World Environment Day on 5 June.

Doing good made easy: the Gelsenkirchen workshops combine social work with social commitment to the environment. *People on the autism spectrum have an innate, deviant information processing mode. This manifests itself, for example, in limitations in social interaction and communication or stereotypical behaviour, but at the same time can bring strengths in perception, attention, memory and intelligence. The TASK group at the Gelsenkirchen workshops is characterised by a holistic approach with a wide range of therapies.

We use a variety of methods to cater to the individual needs of our employees and thus make a significant contribution to improving their quality of life. Further information can be found at www.werkverein-ge.de.

The recognised non-profit Werkverein Gelsenkirchen e.V. is the umbrella organisation for both social enterprises. Its task is to master the challenges of successful inclusion and to support, accompany and care for people with support needs. The focus is on the areas of work and housing. The Werkverein operates the companies Gelsenkirchener Werkstätten für angepaßte Arbeit gGmbH and Lebenswelt Gabriel gGmbH. In the Gelsenkirchen workshops and the inpatient and outpatient residential facilities of Lebenswelt Gabriel, around 1,000 people with and without support needs are committed to achieving the goals. www.werkverein-ge.de

 

Gelsenkirchener Werkstätten für angepaßte Arbeit gGmbH

Braukämperstr. 100 45899

Gelsenkirchen Charlotte Rabs

Assistant to the management

Telephone: 0209 – 95896-8400

E-Mail: c.rabs@werkverein-ge.de