Skills4Life – Promoting the Transition to Active Life through Gamification and Game-Based Learning

After two years of research, close collaboration, and hard work, we
are delighted to be able to present the fruits of our labours! Follow
our young characters as they navigate independent adulthood in
the Skills4Life Serious Game, learn some best practices from our
In-Service Training Programme, or get informed about the
potential wider implications of work like ours by reading the
Skills4Life Policy Paper.

All these outputs and more can be discovered on the
Skills4Life Platform at skills4life-platform.eu.

For now, from all of us here on Team Skills4Life, a sincere thank
you to everyone who has followed along from the beginning of this
journey. As we move forward into other projects, we’ll take the
many lessons we learned over the past two years with us.

If you’d like to get in touch, feel free to find out more about our partner
organisations over at the Skills4Life website!

On the 20th of September 2024 the final project meeting of Skills4Life took place in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was successful and offered discussions on the final steps to go in the Skills4Life project. The partners discussed on the serious game and the platform and agreed on dates for last translations and testings. Moreover, the participants talked about the final report to be created as well as dissemination activities. Nevertheless, the most important topic was the impact of the project and activities which will be done also after the official end of the project and how the partnership can be stable over time.

Today, 19-09-2024 – the conference on the results of Skills4Life started in Vienna.
The Skills4Life Serious Game is presented to a broader audience.
Fortunately, the partners were at the conference to discuss the situation of care leavers and opportunities to foster this target group.

Cognitive skills, conceptual skills and practical skills were taken into account within the design of the Skills4Life approach. With eight module topics and different levels care leavers will be trained to get acostumed with new life situations, like finding an own home/ flat or getting into the labour market.

The conference comes with fruitful discussions and a strict focus on the needs of the target group.

We are excited to announce the upcoming Final Conference and Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM) for the Skills4Life project. This event marks a significant milestone in our journey, bringing together all our partners to review our achievements and prepare for the future.

We will delve into our key project outcomes:

• Skills4Life Serious Game: SRC will showcase this innovative tool, a major output of our project.
• Training Package for Adult Educators: Proportional Message will present the comprehensive training resources we’ve developed.
• Policy Paper and Learning Labs: QM will share insights from our policy work and learning labs.

This event is not just a conclusion but a celebration of our collaborative efforts and the impactful work we’ve accomplished together!

The University of Exeter, England, is collaborating with care leavers from Devon to enhance support for care-experienced students. The initiative, involving the university and Devon County Council, aims to better understand the challenges faced by these students and create resources like trauma-informed tutoring guides. This project not only helps tutors support care-experienced students but also encourages more care leavers to pursue higher education by making them feel valued and supported.

Soaring temperatures got you down? Don’t sweat it! Here are some life skills to help you stay cool and prepared this summer:

• Hydration Hero: Master the art of staying hydrated! Carry a reusable water bottle and sip regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Sun Safety Savvy: Sunscreen is your best friend! Apply SPF 30+ liberally and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming.
• Budgeting for Beat the Heat: Plan heat-friendly activities that don’t break the bank. Think library visits, park picnics, or DIY water games!
• Meal Prep Master: Fuel your body with light, refreshing meals. Opt for fruits, vegetables, and salads to stay cool from the inside out.
• Planning Powerhouse: Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day, like early mornings or evenings.

These life skills go beyond summer! Mastering these skills helps you stay prepared and adaptable in any situation.

The Skills4Life partners recently convened in the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence for the LTTA event, held from June 11th to 14th. This gathering provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the Skills4Life project, including its objectives and outcomes. A significant highlight was the in-depth exploration of the Serious Game, an innovative tool designed to enhance life skills. Partners engaged with the game’s various levels, offering valuable feedback to refine and enhance the experience. The event fostered collaboration and shared insights, driving the project’s mission forward.

WORKING ON WORK PACKAGE 4 🙌

Work Package 4 focuses on community engagement and outreach to empower young adults in alternative care settings. Key activities include crafting a policy paper with operational and policy suggestions based on project analysis. Targeting adult education and social inclusion policymakers, this paper will draw insights from the seven project partners, offering qualitative and quantitative recommendations. It will highlight the potential of educational technologies for educators and social workers, and advocate for game-based learning to reach marginalized youth effectively.

In today’s digital age, the challenges faced by care leavers in Europe are both compounded and potentially alleviated by the ongoing wave of digitalization. As these individuals navigate the transition into adulthood without traditional family structures, they often encounter barriers in accessing essential services, education, employment, and housing. However, digitalization also presents unique opportunities to address these challenges and empower care leavers to thrive independently.

One of the primary obstacles care leavers face is accessing vital information and resources. Digital platforms and online resources can bridge this gap by providing easily accessible information on available support services, educational opportunities, job openings, and housing options. By leveraging digital tools, care leavers can overcome geographical and logistical barriers, gaining access to a wealth of resources that may otherwise be out of reach.

In recent years, both young adults and care leavers face hurdles in transitioning into adulthood. Parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in providing support. Here’s how:

1. Encourage open communication to address concerns and fears.
2. Set realistic goals tailored to individual circumstances.
3. Teach financial responsibility and budgeting skills.
4. Promote independence in daily life tasks.
5. Seek professional support for mental health or career guidance.
6. Practice self-care and set boundaries to maintain a healthy relationship dynamic.

By combining efforts and support, both care leavers and parents can empower young adults to overcome challenges and achieve independence successfully.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/promoting-empathy-with-your-teen/202401/supporting-young-adults-in-their-transition-to