The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge

The library Casa Gavoglio is located in a neighbourhood that is mainly home to people from low-income and migratory backgrounds. Functioning as a community hub, the library hosts free cultural, sports and social activities for people of all ages that are managed by a network of 30 associations and the municipality, with the aim of introducing children and families to reading. This challenge addresses the integration of the users of the mental health centre with the local community. 

 The Initiative  

This solution offers free access to services that assist with mental health in connection with the library. Young people have been affected by isolation during the pandemic period and some have faced mental health issues. Working with the municipality’s mental health team, the library is breaking down the surrounding stigma and facilitating help using their outdoor space and creative ideas. They are also preparing a toolkit on how to implement this approach in other communities.   

After The Europe Challenge

Thanks to their new collaboration, this initiative has found a way of talking about mental health in the community and provides an important function in assisting those who need help.  The Challenge team have seen a larger number of young people visiting the library and freely talking about mental health. Other European libraries from Ukraine and Portugal have expressed an interest in working together. Finally, their toolkit is a tool used throughout communities and libraries working on mental-health and their work looks to go from strength to strength, as they work towards finding additional funds, dedicated to promoting the psychological well-being of families, adolescents and people with fragile and low incomes. 

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.