People who work with clients of social welfare institutions are often the first to notice the signs of a developing addiction. The Stock Foundation organises training led by specialists that helps social workers recognise the early symptoms of addiction, talk appropriately with people at risk and point them towards the right forms of help. The programme covers different types of addiction. We strengthen the skills of people who, day after day, can make a real difference to the lives and health of those in their care.
How it started
The initiative started in 2024 in cooperation with the Support Centres Team (Zespół Ośrodków Wsparcia) in Lublin. Twenty-five social workers took part in the first sessions, and later editions reached staff of care homes and of the Municipal Family Support Centre (MOPR) in Lublin.
Why we run it
Social workers are often the first to notice that someone is struggling. If they can recognise the warning signs and know how to talk to a person at risk, help can come before an addiction takes hold.
Directors of the institutions estimate that each trained worker will face at least twenty difficult cases a year. Training one person therefore indirectly helps many others.
How it works in practice
The training is led by therapists Anna Kalbus and Jerzy Brożyna. It combines short lectures and psychoeducation with workshop exercises: participants learn how addiction develops, analyse case studies, practise conversations that encourage change and get to know the harm-reduction approach.
In 2025 we organised 9 training sessions for more than 140 social workers from MOPR, the Support Centres Team and care homes. It is estimated that the support may indirectly reach around 2,800 people.
