Troubled young Danes get food for thought

A weekly meal in a homely setting is being used by Danish social workers to help at risk young people to make positive transitions into adulthood.

The scheme called Vikasku in the Danish city of Horsens provides a safe haven for troubled youngsters through an eight-week course with each session starting with a sit down-meal.

It was highlighted at the International Federation of Social Workers’ European Conference in Edinburgh as a way of avoiding young people reaching the age of 18, particularly those in care, falling off a “cliff edge".

Each session focuses on a different topic including educational opportunities, looking for a job, managing finances and accessing benefits.

Those on the programme are referred by social workers and either live in care or experience difficulties such as depression, anxiety and substance misuse.

“Our aim is to work with young people and make them function in society,” said Birgitte Rasmussen, from Vikasku, named from the Danish Vi-Ka-Sku meaning ‘yes we can do it’.

“In Denmark when you are 18 a lot of things happen. You can join the military, you can get married, buy alcohol, have an abortion, smoke.

“We are aware that some young people don’t have the network of family to help them into adulthood. They are vulnerable and at risk of having negative lives.

“We believe the youngsters have something good inside and we help to bring it out.

“We cook them a delicious meal and provide an environment where they can converse and gain the skills they need.”

Before they leave, young people get given a ‘handybook’ guide to adult living and are also taken on a “city walk” where they are introduced to relevant offices such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, a health centre and tax office.

The cost of putting a young person through the programme is about £700 which is funded by the Danish government.