SEISMEC Project Team Engages with De Wingerd Community
SEISMEC project partners from the University College Cork (UCC) and Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) visited De Wingerd to meet and greet with the organisation and its residents.
SEISMEC Workshop: Matching Skills with Needs
The visit commenced with a SEISMEC workshop, engaging the coaching team of De Wingerd. The session brought together twenty-three (23) participants, including partners from the SDWorx, head coaches, the director, a psychologist, a project manager/occupational therapist, a volunteer, family members, caregivers, and the head of ‘zorgcirkels jongdementie’ (care circles for young dementia patients).
During the workshop, attendees explored how to align skills with the needs of residents while discussing the essential nuances the AI tool should encompass. A key takeaway from the session was the importance of developing the core of the prototype first, ensuring it remains adaptable for future challenges and modifications.
Living and Working as Residents
Beyond the workshop, partners from UCC and EUR participated in a hands-on experience by working as volunteers and caregivers. They also immersed themselves in the residents’ daily lives to gain a deeper understanding of the organisation’s functioning and the activities that shape the residents’ experiences. This first-hand engagement provided invaluable perspectives on the community’s needs and challenges.
Storytelling Sessions
A highlight of the visit was a series of storytelling sessions organised by the De Wingerd team. These sessions created a platform for caregivers, residents, and family members to share their personal experiences. Questions such as “What do you like about De Wingerd?” sparked meaningful conversations, bringing emotional and meaningful value.
Reflections
The conclusion of this interactive and engaging week is that it was very interesting, emotional, and valuable. Much insight was gained into further developing the AI tool for De Wingerd. As the project progresses, these insights will shape the development of an AI tool that not only meets current needs but also remains flexible for future advancements.
Stay tuned for more updates as SEISMEC steadily continues its journey to pilot the shift towards human-centricity in the European industry!
