4th project Newsletter
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Piloting activities
The Virtus project has started the crucial piloting phase of its innovative training programme for autistic people. Between September and December, the training modules using Virtual Reality will be piloted by “Ploes” E.Psy.Me. in Greece and by ARCIL in Portugal-.
So far, 17 autistic participants (9 Greeks and 7 Portuguese) have embarked on the Virtus Training journey! In these training sessions, the group explored specific modules related to interpersonal, pre-vocational, and professional skills, including lecture-style presentations combined with interactive games, individual reflections, and group activities.
In Greece, the first two modules on interpersonal and prevocational skills are divided in two-hour sessions with adequate break time in order to adapt to the needs of the students. Two trainers and two mental health professionals are facilitating the learning process using presentations, roleplaying activities, and interactive games. Ploes has been paying particular attention to adapting the training materials to the individual needs of each student by working on the accessibility of visuals and texts.
The third module, the Barista vocational skills training, is going to take place in a barista training facility in Athens, where a professional barista trainer and a mental health professional will be present to facilitate the learning process. Afterwards, the Virtual Reality scenarios will be used in separate one-to-one sessions organised in Ploes’s VR lab, so that participants can consolidate what they have learnt in the vocational training modules.
In Portugal (Lousã), building a connection between the participants was made a priority. Prior to their first session, the participants were invited to ARCIL to have a first look of Virtual Reality, practicing how to use it with different games and activities. In the first session, they focused on creating a safe and friendly learning environment for the group to grow their knowledge and develop their skills.
In order to manage a diverse group of participants, ARCIL has made room for flexibility for the trainers, especially in terms ofadjusting the training materials and activities. By doing so, the organisation intends to address the individual needs of its participants throughout the learning process.
So, the piloting of this innovative programme is officially underway and we wish our students the best of success! Stay tuned for more updates!