European Congress on Social Inclusion: Sharing Hospitality Across Europe
Our Delegation of England joined more than 220 participants from 12 countries in Marseille to share experiences, strengthen collaboration and explore how self-determination and meaningful participation can shape more inclusive care
On 30 September and 1 October, members of our Delegation of England travelled to Marseille to take part in the European Congress on Social Inclusion, organised by Hospitality Europe and its Social Inclusion Working Group.
More than 220 participants from 12 European countries came together around a shared commitment: promoting social inclusion and self-determination for people experiencing vulnerability.
For our Delegation, the Congress was an opportunity to learn from experiences across Europe, share perspectives with the wider Hospitaller family and consider how these ideas can continue to strengthen the work taking place within our own services.
Putting people’s choices at the centre
Throughout the two days, Sisters, Brothers, professionals, supported persons and partners shared initiatives from across Europe.
The programme explored supported decision-making, mental health care, inclusive living environments, social connections, autonomy, art and inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities to take on leadership roles. Despite the diversity of the projects presented, they shared an important principle: placing each person’s choices, aspirations and abilities at the heart of their support.
The Congress also saw the presentation of Hospitality Europe’s Position Paper by General Director Joan Uribe, strengthening the network’s commitment to advocating for the participation and self-determination of supported persons at European level.
Our Delegation’s experience in Marseille
For Tina Boyland, Head of Quality & Compliance, the Congress provided inspiration for what our own services could develop in the future:
“I came away with two key thoughts. First, that our services could be further empowered in delivering care that supports self-determination if we share and develop this concept together. Second, that we can embrace new and inspiring projects that, hopefully, we will be able to share at the next Congress.”
Addisu Mulugeta, Head of Finance, highlighted the importance of collaboration and learning from others:
“Participation in events such as this Congress is important for our Delegation as it strengthens wider cooperation, facilitates the exchange of good practice and reinforces our collective commitment to delivering person-centred support.”
For Bernad Lokubalasuriya, Registered Manager at St Augustine’s Care Home, our centre in Addlestone, seeing how inclusion is approached in different countries made a particular impression:
“Hearing how inclusion is lived across Europe had the biggest impact on me. Taking part in events like this strengthens our Delegation because it connects our mission with new ideas and a shared purpose.”
And Claire Zehe, Manager of Footherley Hall, our centre in Shenstone, highlighted the sense of connection between people working in care across different countries:
“We all speak different languages, but there is a common language in the care we provide: humanity in care.”
She also described hearing experiences directly from people receiving care and support as “inspiring and thought-provoking.”
Bringing the experience back to our services
The Congress demonstrated the value of bringing together different experiences while keeping the person receiving support at the centre of the conversation.
For our Delegation, Marseille has provided new ideas, stronger connections with the wider European Hospitaller family and an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue promoting choice, participation and self-determination within our own services.
The Congress concluded by recognising Hospitality, social inclusion and self-determination as important forces in building a fairer and more participatory society.
The next step is to bring what we have heard and learnt back into our daily work, continue sharing good practice and explore new initiatives across our Delegation.
As Tina reflected, perhaps at the next Congress it will be projects and experiences from our own services that we have the opportunity to share with the wider Hospitaller family.
