FOCUS | Center for Education and Participation of the Initiative for Social Rehabilitation eV.

Center for Education and Participation of the Initiative for Social Rehabilitation eV.

The Initiative for Social Rehabilitation (Initiative zur sozialen Rehabilitation e.V.) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1982 in connection with the closure of a long-term psychiatric clinic and a critical examination of conventional, medically oriented psychiatry. Today, the Initiative offers psychosocial, educational, and practical support for people with mental illness, addiction, drug dependency, and intellectual disabilities, particularly in the form of supported living arrangements.

The foundation of this empowerment and recovery-oriented work for these individuals is their participation in the constructive development of the support system. In this sense, the organization advocates for self-determined and independent living, as well as for the participation of its users in social life.

In addition to the educational provider FOKUS – Competence Center for Innovative Educational Programs and Participation – the Initiative…eV operates community-oriented and low-threshold programs in the “Wild West” district of Gröpelingen and at Café Abseits in Osterholz-Tenever, offering employment opportunities for part-time workers. The Initiative…eV is the sole shareholder of Initiative für Kinder, Jugendliche und Familien GmbH (IKJF – Youth and Family Services), Comeback GmbH (a company within the outpatient drug support system), and GiB mbH (a company for integrative employment).

FOCUS offers

• Continuing education and training for professionals
• Educational and participation opportunities for people with experience of crises and mental health issues
• Educational programs on mental health for citizens
• Coaching and counselling for people with psychosocial health problems
  related to work
• Consulting and supervision for professionals, organizations and companies
• Concept development of educational programs, counselling settings, psychiatric and psychosocial services to strengthen our values ​​and attitudes

Our team is interdisciplinary, comprised of specialists and EX-IN peer support workers. EX-IN peer support workers have personal experience with mental illness and have completed the EX-IN training program.

Our fundamental approach is based on the concepts of inclusion, empowerment, and recovery. For over 20 years, we have been working regionally and internationally. Through our work, we empower people, build bridges, and foster connections. Our goal is to enable greater social participation for people with mental health challenges and to improve the quality of their care.

Offers:

EX-IN Bremen. Experts through experience in psychiatry.
FOKUS trains EX-IN recovery companions in healthcare (qualification).

Work in focus

Are you looking to find a way into employment or training? We advise, guide, and support you on your journey.

We support you in developing career prospects, finding internships, job and training opportunities, as well as with applications and interviews. We continue to support you even after you have found employment. To achieve this, we cooperate with companies and numerous partners. Our goal is also to give you hope that, despite difficult circumstances, it is possible to find work and training.

We are a team of experienced job coaches and EX-IN recovery companions. EX-IN recovery companions have personal experience with mental illness and have completed a one-year training program. They contribute their experiences and understand the obstacles on the path back to the job market.

Thanks to funding from the European Social Fund and the State of Bremen, our service is free of charge for you.

The Empowerment College

The Empowerment College is a place where people with very different perspectives and backgrounds come together. In courses requiring a manageable time commitment, they acquire knowledge about mental health topics and exchange ideas. Participants are students and choose their courses and goals independently.

Crazy – so what? (For school classes)

With our prevention program "Crazy? So what!", we target school classes from the eighth grade onwards. We bring the topic of mental health into the classroom and show simple and effective ways in which students and teachers can work together to overcome crises and strengthen mental health, so that everyone can succeed in school!

Focus for skilled workers

FOKUS has been active in the field of "continuing education for professionals in psychiatric fields" for over 20 years. We have nationally and internationally recognized concepts and approaches in psychosocial care.

Open dialogue

The concept of "open dialogue" has been used in various regions of Finland since the early 1980s. This systemic approach has since spread throughout Scandinavia and is increasingly prevalent in the rest of Europe. In Bremen, the concept has become an important tool within community-based healthcare provision. The principles of networking and open dialogue are central to this approach.

The basic training course is aimed at all those involved in the psychiatric care system – both inpatient and outpatient. In addition to theoretical input, the course will include numerous practical exercises, enabling implementation in everyday work.

FOCUS for companies

This training course is aimed at specialists, managers, and employees in the service sector. Its goal is to make interactions with employees affected by mental illness and with customers with mental health conditions safer and more competent.