UnfOlding – How to equip for conscious ageing and conscious living in a digital society (Programme held in Dutch)

A unique program for those who want to take ownership of their ageing and turn it into a conscious journey

Ageing means to be alive. Every day in life is an opportunity. The choices we are making today shape our future. For the first time in human history today’s generations in Europe living up to 90 years or more are no longer an exception and that brings a new paradigm. 

Are we prepared to live as long? Do we know how to make all these years meaningful and fulfilling? Are we aware of the potential losses and difficulties? Are we ready to change perspective and start celebrating life in all its aspects and turn ageing into a conscious and active journey? Do we know how to do that? 

This program is for you if:

  • You recognise the impact of ageing in your current life
  • You want to take ownership of your ageing and becoming an Elder
  • You want to reflect and to be prepared for the social, professional, financial, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of ageing
  • You want to explore your biases, share your thoughts, ideas (and probably your doubts and fears) about ageing and becoming an Elder
  • You want to build a personal roadmap which will support you in the process of becoming older, as besides it being an adventure, it is also a process of grieving and celebration in one.
  • You want to take part in an international conscious ageing community 

The programme

In this program we want to explore together the journey of ageing and becoming an Elder. 

What practical aspects are there? 

European citizens are ageing, the number of Elderly people is rapidly growing and that creates pressure on the care-, health-, pension- and social systems.

How can we take ownership and prepare for our ageing and our elderly age socially, professionally, financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually? 

What are the biases around ageing and how might these limit us in all aspects of our life? And how can we change these for ourselves and maybe others?

During this 10 month learning program with 10 workshops, we cover all angles of ageing and becoming an Elder. We look at the cultural, demographic and sociological framework, the practical aspects and everything in between. We will provide you with inspiration, reflections and practical tools and materials.

During these 10 workshops, you will create your individual roadmap into your elderly age starting today.

For whom?

For people over 40 who wants to take ownership of their ageing and want to shape their elderly age consciously and with informed thinking. 

Practical

Timing: We will have monthly zoom meetings on Fridays, from 15:00 – 17:00 CET, each session takes 2 hours.

The group consists of up to 20 people. We will record the sessions in case any group member cannot attend and make them available for a limited time to group members only. In between sessions you will have to spend some time on reading, watching materials and working on your own personal roadmap. We will have an online (closed) community where we can share reflections, questions and information. 

Language: The sessions will be in Dutch. 

This programme is part of the Erasmus+ UnfOlding Project Funded by the European Union

If you want to join please contact us: Milena@hekatefoundation.org

10 workshops

  • Introduction (30 September 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Social life, social network, social support (21 October 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Professional life (work, learning) (18 November 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Housing and living (16 December 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Spiritual life (13 January 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Physical health (10 February 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Mental health (10 March 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Financial sustainability (31 March 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Approaching end of life (21 April 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Personal Roadmap (12 May 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET) 

What the participants say:

“New insights, lovely connections and the feeling that there is actually still a lot to look forward to. The sessions are informative and very eye-opening. Confronting at times as I have quite some work to do but that’s energising too!”

“It makes me reflect on  the  whole topic of conscious ageing which is so much deeper than I was willing to dig for, and it’s a lot more fun to share experiences in a circle of fellow seekers”

“It has helped me in my transition into retirement, addressing very relevant and timely topics in the company of fellow participants who are each exploring their own aging journey. It’s enriching to experience their different perspectives.”

The trainers

Milena Milankovics

Gestalt therapist, Co-founder of Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation

Miléna has been working on conscious, active and healthy ageing for many years, participating in several research, organising numerous trainings, conferences and events. In her private practice her focus is on the “sandwich” generation, adults going through midlife changes or other significant transitions in life. She is a member of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT).

Mirjam van Ruth

Owner of Laventurier, Soul Based Coach and Consultant.

Mirjam spent many years leading teams and projects. She now works as a coach, facilitator and as a consultant. She has been exploring life and who we all are ever since she left the corporate world and she wants to inspire others to do the same. In all her activities, which are many, Mirjam’s focus is on creating greater awareness into who we are, in order to live life fully and freely.

Registration: Here

If you have any question, please contact us milena@hekatefoundation.org  

Learning about permaculture, health and conscious ageing

This new programme is recommended to individuals, who are interested in permaculture and its potential in relation to physical and mental health, conscious ageing and general wellness. Also for those who would like to spend a hot Summer day in a cool, mature, forest garden in Gödöllő, Hungary.

The course is designed for people who want to learn more about permaculture, but do not want to spend many days away, on a farm or a garden site. Yet, they would also like to see a mature perma garden in real life.

REGINA Garden is located in Gödöllő, Hungary. It is about 20 minutes from Budapest by car. Public transport to Gödöllő from Budapest is good.

Registration and tickets

Continue reading “Learning about permaculture, health and conscious ageing”

DigInclude: Developing Digital Skills in Disadvantaged Groups

DigInclude is a two-years-long project that creates space for a well-needed digital inclusion of marginalised and disadvantaged groups of youngsters and young adults. 

With this project we address two interconnected issues that the European Union its member states are facing at the moment:

  • Access to life-long learning, up-skilling, and digital literacy for many people in Europe, especially of geographically, economically or socially disadvantaged people.
  • Wide-scale shortage in skilled workforce in the digital economy and beyond.

Why?

The skilled workforce shortage is an obvious opportunity for disadvantaged people. There is, however, often a skill gap preventing applicants from successful employment. Improving digital literacy greatly increases their chances on the job market.

Employment for disadvantaged groups is a key prerequisite to creating equal opportunities. The access to the job market, however, needs to be actually actionable in practice. A recurring pattern across various disadvantaged groups is that they are underrepresented in or even mostly excluded from digital professions. Even though the reasons for this glass ceiling are always complex, adult education is a powerful tool in addressing the problem.

Within this project we commit ourselves to:

  • create a dedicated adult learners’ community of Hungarian and Dutch people, in which ongoing dialogue, long-term community learning, and co-created, progressive community initiatives can be born.
  • support young disadvantaged individuals to improve their digital skills, literacy and wellness in order to support their employment success in a digital world.

The DigInclude project is led by SignCoders, a social enterprise from Hungary employing deaf young professionals. Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation, in the Netherlands, is the proud partner in this project.

Hekate-SignCoders DigInclude meetings

About the project

As mentioned earlier, our societies are transforming into a digital world and many disadvantaged people have no real and proper access to related adult learning and up-skilling.

Our motivation for this project is to help both local communities with access to the digital age. Society often does not encourage disadvantaged people to pursue digital professions. The individuals concerned see very few role models around them. Furthermore, digital education is not always available barrier-free. As an example, there is very little study material in digital topics available in sign language or accessible to blind people. Consequently, a digital career path is not an available option for many disadvantaged people in practice. As a result, they are often excluded from the jobs they would prefer. That’s the glass ceiling we set out to break.

We strongly believe that post-covid economic and social recovery can, should, and in fact must be built on the intentions, wishes, and materialistic realities of local communities and the people themselves.

We also strongly believe that post-covid recovery must put an enhanced emphasis on access to digital skills and strategically shared community responsibilities.

We also strongly believe that these developments and transitions must be driven and owned by the local people themselves, which means that the process has to be accompanied by a wide range of adult learning activities and modules.

Both SignCoders and Hekate have an experience in growing and nurturing disadvantaged communities by opening digital doors for them. Our cooperation is the next step in the manifestation of this strategy in terms of the adult learning element. Putting our resources together we will be able to scale up promoting knowledge and solutions on digital skills and wellness. 

We believe that our approach is a pragmatic yet progressive social innovation to tackle complex social an economical issues. 

What’s next?

Follow our FaceBook and/or LinkedIn page to stay up-to-date with activities, possibilities and results of this project that we are so excited about!

DigInclude is a project founded by the European Union. 

Social Permaculture: Empowering an Active Society (Social PEAS)

The Social PEAS project is focused on developing a special permaculture training for vulnerable adults as well as professionals working with vulnerable adults. The target groups of the project are:

  • vulnerable adults,
  • people who suffer from mental health issues,
  • elderly people,
  • homeless people and people with housing deprivations,
  • former drug or alcohol users,
  • people with disabilities,
  • adult educators and experts, working with vulnerable adults.

Through this project, we will be able to:

  • Support adult educators to increase their knowledge and gain expertise in regenerative social permaculture and the creation of permaculture gardens.
  • Empower vulnerable adults to increase their knowledge and competencies to be able to use tools from social permaculture and nature therapy for the improvement of their well-being and social resilience while taking care of the environment!

The Social PEAS project is led by Friends of the Earth Cyprus, in collaboration with Friends of the Earth Malta, Fundación Intras (Spain), Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation (the Netherlands), Promimpresa (Italy) and ICEP, the Institute of European Certification of Personnel (Slovakia).

About the project

Environmental and social challenges are deeply connected and to tackle these we need an equally interconnected approach. The Social PEAS project derived from the identified need to tackle social exclusion and climate and environmental challenges through the use of permaculture to create resilient and sustainable communities.

The project was designed to support adult educators and hence vulnerable adults that are: suffering from mental health issues – both diagnosed with chronic conditions and those that have been affected through the COVID19 pandemic; homeless people and people with housing deprivations; former drug or alcohol user; people with physical and intellectual disabilities; and elderly people, together making up 20% of the European population.

Working in a group, planning together how to create a garden, seeing plants and food grow, tending to plants, being outdoors as a community – these are all exercises that have an abundant benefit on the participants mental well-being. Such activities provide life skills in the aspects of planning, co-designing, executing a communal plan, and bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, permaculture gardens are a gateway for nature learning and nature care, create food resilience and security, provide green havens for pollinators and other species and are alternatives to the linear extractive economies and mindsets that most people are exposed to.

In the Social PEAS project, Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation is focusing on ageing populations and the health and spiritual well-being petal of the permaculture flower, especially on the use of permaculture in sustaining mental health and well-being.

UnfOlding – How to equip for conscious ageing and conscious living in a digital society

A unique program for those who want to take ownership of their ageing and turn it into a conscious journey

Ageing means to be alive. Every day in life is an opportunity. The choices we are making today shape our future. For the first time in human history today’s generations in Europe living up to 90 years or more are no longer an exception and that brings a new paradigm. 

Are we prepared to live as long? Do we know how to make all these years meaningful and fulfilling? Are we aware of the potential losses and difficulties? Are we ready to change perspective and start celebrating life in all its aspects and turn ageing into a conscious and active journey? Do we know how to do that? 

This program is for you if:

  • You recognise the impact of ageing in your current life
  • You want to take ownership of your ageing and becoming an Elder
  • You want to reflect and to be prepared for the social, professional, financial, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of ageing
  • You want to explore your biases, share your thoughts, ideas (and probably your doubts and fears) about ageing and becoming an Elder
  • You want to build a personal roadmap which will support you in the process of becoming older, as besides it being an adventure, it is also a process of grieving and celebration in one.
  • You want to take part in an international conscious ageing community 

The programme

In this program we want to explore together the journey of ageing and becoming an Elder. 

What practical aspects are there? 

European citizens are ageing, the number of Elderly people is rapidly growing and that creates pressure on the care-, health-, pension- and social systems.

How can we take ownership and prepare for our ageing and our elderly age socially, professionally, financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually? 

What are the biases around ageing and how might these limit us in all aspects of our life? And how can we change these for ourselves and maybe others?

During this 10 month learning program with 10 workshops, we cover all angles of ageing and becoming an Elder. We look at the cultural, demographic and sociological framework, the practical aspects and everything in between. We will provide you with inspiration, reflections and practical tools and materials.

During these 10 workshops, you will create your individual roadmap into your elderly age starting today.

For whom?

For people over 40 who wants to take ownership of their ageing and want to shape their elderly age consciously and with informed thinking. 

Practical

Timing: We will have monthly zoom meetings on Fridays, from 15:00 – 17:00 CET, each session takes 2 hours.

The group consists of up to 15 people. We will record the sessions in case any group member cannot attend and make them available for a limited time to group members only. In between sessions you will have to spend some time on reading, watching materials and working on your own personal roadmap. We will have an online (closed) community where we can share reflections, questions and information. 

Language: The sessions will be in English. 

Costs: This programme is part of the Erasmus+ UnfOlding Project Funded by the European Union

If you want to join please contact us: Milena@hekatefoundation.org

10 workshops

  • Introduction (22 April 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Social life, social network, social support (20 May 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Professional life (work, learning) (17 June 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Housing and living (8 July 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Spiritual life (26 August 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Physical health (16 September 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Mental health (7 October 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Financial sustainability (28 October 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Approaching end of life (25 November 2022, 15:00-17:00 CET)
  • Personal Roadmap (20 January 2023, 15:00-17:00 CET) 

The trainers

Milena Milankovics

Gestalt therapist, Co-founder of Hekate Conscious Ageing Foundation

Miléna has been working on conscious, active and healthy ageing for many years, participating in several research, organising numerous trainings, conferences and events. In her private practice her focus is on the “sandwich” generation, adults going through midlife changes or other significant transitions in life. She is a member of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT).

Mirjam van Ruth

Owner of Laventurier, Soul Based Coach and Consultant.

Mirjam spent many years leading teams and projects. She now works as a coach, facilitator and as a consultant. She has been exploring life and who we all are ever since she left the corporate world and she wants to inspire others to do the same. In all her activities, which are many, Mirjam’s focus is on creating greater awareness into who we are, in order to live life fully and freely.

Registration: Here

If you have any question, please contact us milena@hekatefoundation.org  

SLOWING INTO CHRISTMAS

Christmas is (already) all around and we’re just thinking about how to make it perfect for our loved ones. 🎄 While this can be a beautiful and generous process, we might need a reminder to also treat ourselves in this big rush! 💝Hekate Conscious You(th) would love to support you to get the best out of your Advent Season! Here’s how:

The traditional image of Christmas is wonderful, heartwarming and, let’s be honest, “incredibly optimistic”: happy family, friends, love, peace, joy, cheerfulness, laughter, coziness, intimacy, good food, good gatherings and just simply amazing experiences together. ✨
But wait, what about an actual Christmas? What about all those high expectations around this festive period? What about not feeling well to celebrate? What about having lost someone close recently? What about not having enough money and/or time to get those gifts? What about having to work extra hours due to the high demand of the season? What about family matters?
Well, as life happens…, even if we’re lucky enough to have our family and friends to celebrate with, the way there can be pretty stressful – depending where we put our focus! This advent, we invite you to slow down a bit and put your focus to Yourself! 🎁

Join us in our “Slow down, Focus on You” Campaign to celebrate and treat yourself for 24 days! 💝
All you need to do is to sign up via this registration (https://forms.gle/LMu25W8tfURJsZRz7) form so that we know where to send you our daily treat and wait for your Advent Calendar’s first surprise on 1st December! 🎁

Let’s make this a wonderful time of the year indeed!

With Love,
Hekate

LIFE ON SCREEN: How to create balance in the digital era?

We live in the digital era where most of our life is online. With the global pandemic we are facing, this is truer than ever before. Let’s think about our work, studies, social interactions, maybe and hobbies. While using technology gives us brilliant advantages and benefits, it can have serious harms on our mental, psychological and physical health. Distraction, focusing problems, constant noise, transforming relationships and unsatisfying communication can give us a headache on a daily basis. Here is the good news: life on screen can be a true blessing, we just need to create our optimal and unique tech-life balance  in the digital era! 

Join us on 27. November to an online experimental workshop to reflect on this topic together.

During this experiential workshop:

* we will discover our relationship with technology

* understand what digital wellness means to us

* gain some new tools that will help us reach our optimal tech-life balance 

The event is designed and lead by Nóra Taliga, Digital Wellness Educator and Experiential Learning Facilitator.

Practical information:

 > Time: 27. November, 14:00-16:00 CEST

 > Place: Zoom

 > There is no participation fee, but registration is required. Please register till: 22. November, here.

This is event is part of our project “UnfOlding -To equip for conscious ageing and conscious living in a digital society” and is co-funded by the European Union. 

 

#YOU(th)Story

Begin with sharing your story so that we can help you write it!

The research applies the method of 1-on-1 interviews with the idea of free speech. This means that our interviewees receive the questions before the interview to have time to reflect on them if they wish so, then they’ll be raised with the same questions during the meeting and will be given space to reply as long as they feel like without interruption. Flexibility is crucial, therefore if the interviewee expresses the need of more guidance with further navigating questions, they will be supported in this way.

 

 

The questions we’re looking for answers to are circulated around the following topics:

  • Fulfilling life
  • Changes brought into our lives by Covid19
  • Personal future aspects
  • Social, economical, environmental changes
  • Personal needs, motivation, obstacles, worries
  • Role of and relationship with technology

 

The research aims to interview 100 young people.  

 

Do you feel like sharing your thoughts? We would love to hear them! Send us an e-mail if you’re interested in having a nice little chat with us. 🙂 

 

 

With love,

Hekate Conscious You(th)

14th May: Walk & Talk

Hello there,

 

We’re happy to see your interest about the Digital Wellness Day!

 

Come and join this insightful, relaxing and energising workshop to:

  • tune into your presence with a nice, guided reflection-walk
  • reflect on your own usage of technology, your digital challenges and habits
  • visualise a healthy relationship with technology
  • connect with fellow humans to listen and share
  • identify what you can do to obtain healthier usage of technology

 

What you can expect:

  • a thematic walk in your neighbourhood (favorite place, nearby forest/park, farm – as you wish)
  • an experiential workshop with space for reflection and initiative/action
  • a nice talk to people on the phone
  • optional (but recommended) tuning-in activities sent to you before the workshop
  • handout and templates shared with you after the workshop

 

Practical information:

  • Time: 14th May, 07:30-08:30 CEST
  • Place: Zoom – only voice call please, phones in pocket, no screen, no videos to share
  • Registration till: 7th May, here
  • Contribution: participation is free, donation is welcome on Ko-fi

 

Have you got any question? Don’t be shy and get in touch with us! Nori is waiting for your message.

 

With love,

Hekate Conscious You(th)

15th May: Digital Wellness Design

Hello there,

We’re happy to see your interest about the Digital Wellness Day! 

 

Come and join this creative, (inter)active and dynamic workshop to:

  • understand what Digital Wellness is
  • reflect on your own usage of technology
  • identify what technical pieces (digital nutritions) you need in order to have supporting, healthy digital habits
  • make your plan of protection against harms of technology
  • think out of the tech-box

 

What you can expect:

  • an experiential workshop with space for reflection and initiative/action
  • optional (but recommended) tuning-in activities sent to you before the workshop
  • handout and templates shared with you after the workshop

Practical information:

  • Time: 15th May, 10:00-11:30 CEST
  • Place: Zoom
  • Registration till: 7th May, here
  • Contribution: participation is free, donation is welcome  on Ko-fi

Have you got any question? Don’t be shy and get in touch with us! Nori is waiting for your message.

 

With love,

Hekate Conscious You(th)