Together through the crisis
EX-IN recovery support at the community health center Poliklinik Veddel
The project “Together through the crisis – Consolidation of EX-IN recovery support at the community health center Poliklinik Veddel” was able to start on March 1, 2025 thanks to funding from the Care for Future Foundation and, as a result of a cost-neutral extension of the project period, could be continued until the end of September 2025.
EX-IN recovery support is a peer approach: people who have themselves experienced crises and psychiatric treatment and have completed a one-year advanced training accompany and support others in dealing with psychological distress, provide information about the health care system and additional services, and encourage their clients to step out of isolation. The EX-IN recovery supporter at the Poliklinik Veddel describes her work as follows:
“In my work, the main focus is to use my experiential knowledge to accompany other people with crisis experience so that they can find their way back to a more stable and joyful life. The focus of my work is on building a relationship at eye level, which gives the affected person the opportunity to open up more quickly. In this way, they can reflect better on their own life situation.”
An open meeting was held once a week, and in addition the EX-IN recovery supporter arranged individual appointments with clients. The aim of the open meeting is to create a point of contact for people with mental health problems where they can meet others, talk, eat cake, play games, go on guided fantasy journeys, or do some gardening.
Between four and seven people attended the open meeting each week. Some participants came only occasionally, while others made use of the offer very regularly. When people did not show up for a longer period without any message, the EX-IN recovery supporter contacted them directly, asked how they were doing, and, if desired, arranged individual appointments.
One focus of the activities during the open meeting was the repair and care of the raised beds in the church garden. Several damaged beds were repaired, planted, and maintained. Before and after the gardening there was coffee, tea, and cake.
Over the course of the project, another EX-IN recovery supporter in training was recruited to join the team, bringing a great deal of expertise in gardening. Participants felt well supported by the team consisting of one female and one male project lead.
The “Together through the crisis” project was integrated into the interdisciplinary health care at the primary care center Poliklinik Veddel. Cooperation with the Psychological Counseling department was particularly close. During the project period, the EX-IN recovery supporter regularly took part in the weekly interdisciplinary team meetings. In this way, other colleagues became aware of the project and were able to inform patients and clients specifically about “Together through the crisis” and refer them to the offer.
Since the project was well received and the EX-IN recovery supporters would like to continue their work, the project is to be made permanent. Its continuation is already secured until the end of the year, and discussions are underway with a funding body for voluntary work in Hamburg regarding longer-term support.
