Leaders in the field of child welfare in Kosovo have praised Norwood’s vital work with children and families following a tour of the charity’s services. A group of Kosovan professionals visited the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre and Buckets & Spades overnight short break facility on Monday, 4 April as part of a UK trip organised by the One to One Children’s Fund.
The One to One Children’s Fund has been commissioned by the EU to provide services in Kosovo for children with disabilities, and other vulnerable young people, and to develop the relevant expertise in their country. The UK study tour has been an opportunity for leaders in the field in Kosovo to learn how services provided by organisations like Norwood could be applied to their work with children with disabilities and to establish models of best practice.
During the visit, the group from Kosovo, which included government officials and representatives from a range of social welfare organisations, toured facilities, held discussions with Norwood’s children and family specialists, and even took part in an art therapy session with Binoh Art Therapist, Alice Rayment.
Karen Goodman, Norwood’s Head of Children’s Services, said: “We were pleased to welcome the delegation from Kosovo and to showcase how we deliver a range of life-changing services to many hundreds of children in need, and their families, each year.”
“Norwood believes that its work with children and families is world class and we were delighted to be given the opportunity to share our expertise with such an esteemed group of professionals.”
Feedback from members of the tour party has been very positive.
Rebecca Norman, Programme Coordinator for the One to One Children's Fund, said: “The art therapy session with Alice was a great way to break the ice on the first day of the study tour. What followed throughout the rest of the day was a free-flowing exchange of ideas and feelings on how to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Kosovo. I am so grateful to Norwood for facilitating this meeting.”
Drita Kelmendi-Kukaj, Director of Centre for Social Welfare in Peja, added: “I was impressed with Buckets & Spades. It allows parents free time, and also caters to the needs of the children - it takes all the perspectives of the family into consideration.”
Meanwhile, Bajram Kelmendi, Head of Social Welfare Department at the Kosovan Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, said: “The sensory room at the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre stood out for me. It was so well planned and executed. These are the kind of resources that we need in Kosovo and, after this study trip, I will work hard to find funds to make this possible.”
