COCEMFE Sevilla continues to make progress in the European Erasmus+ project POSITIVE – Wellbeing & Resilience in Youth Work for Social Change, an initiative that places the wellbeing and resilience of youth work professionals at the heart of organisational debate.
As part of the project, the Provincial Federation of Associations of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities of Seville (COCEMFE Sevilla) has coordinated a series of in-depth interviews with professionals and managers from social organisations working in different fields. These interviews will contribute to two international studies aimed at improving our understanding of how organisations support, care for and empower those who work every day with young people and groups in vulnerable situations.
Using a participatory methodology grounded in practical experience, the interviews have gathered a range of perspectives on leadership, workplace climate, participation, mental health, the prevention of professional burnout and organisational sustainability.
Study 1: “The attitudes & beliefs of organizations towards well-being & resilience of practitioners in Youth Work”
The first study conducted within the POSITIVE project aimed to analyse how organisations understand professional wellbeing and the role played by internal structures, leadership and workplace dynamics in strengthening team resilience.
The study involved professionals with extensive experience in team management and social services, including Ana Elorz, Coordinator of Independent Living Support Programmes at FEKOOR; Enrique Pérez, Coordinator of the Advisory Services Department at ATA Andalucía; Ana Cirera, Head of Evaluation, Quality and Innovation at ASAENES Salud Mental Sevilla; and Carlos Manuel Reina, President of Juventud Empoderada.
The interviews highlighted a shared understanding: professional wellbeing does not depend solely on individual abilities. It is also shaped by an organisational culture based on trust, active listening, recognition and participation.
The key issues raised included the importance of accessible and non-hierarchical leadership, the need to create safe spaces for communication and the urgency of addressing the emotional strain associated with professions centred on support and care.
The participants also identified persistent challenges, including excessive workloads, difficulties in achieving a healthy work–life balance, insufficient funding and the need for more flexible and sustainable organisational structures.
Study 2: ”Ready for Positive and Supportive Organisations for Practitioners in Youth Work?”
The second study focused on identifying the extent to which organisations are prepared to become positive and supportive environments for their professionals, while also detecting specific areas in need of organisational improvement.
The participants in this process included Nieves Márquez, President of COCEMFE Sevilla; David Valenzuela, General Manager of ASPACE Sevilla; and Cristina Fernández, Pedagogical Coordinator and Educator at Paxis Inclusión.
The interviews provided an opportunity to showcase existing examples of good organisational practice, while also drawing attention to unresolved challenges related to workplace wellbeing and organisational health.
In the case of ASPACE Sevilla, David Valenzuela highlighted a working model based on horizontal structures, active participation and shared responsibility across teams, where dialogue and collaboration are essential leadership tools. The organisation promotes internal participation mechanisms, regular meetings and flexible working arrangements to support staff wellbeing. However, it also acknowledges the limitations caused by insufficient funding within the sector and the considerable emotional demands associated with care work.
Among the key points shared by ASPACE Sevilla were the importance of adapting shifts and rest periods to staff needs, ensuring cover for absent workers, encouraging active listening and building organisational cultures in which “everyone is part of the team”. The organisation also identified areas for improvement related to technical resources, burnout prevention and the long-term sustainability of professional teams.
Paxis Inclusión, through the experience shared by Cristina Fernández Díaz, contributed a perspective centred on organisational flexibility, accessible leadership and the ability to adapt to the needs of service users, families and professional teams. The organisation has experienced significant growth in recent years, expanding its programmes and services through an approach based on active listening and the real needs expressed by families.
Its main strengths include a workplace climate built on trust, the freedom to express needs, a proactive team culture and the adaptation of working hours and work–life balance measures. The organisation has also identified areas for improvement, particularly in relation to staff mental health, the need for regular meetings focused on team wellbeing and the importance of strengthening internal coordination as the organisation continues to grow.
A Commitment to Caring for Those Who Care for Others
The preliminary findings of both studies point in the same direction: building healthy organisations requires an understanding that professional wellbeing is not an optional extra. It is an essential condition for ensuring that social interventions remain sustainable, humane and of a high standard.
The POSITIVE project continues to move forward with the aim of promoting organisations that are more positive, more resilient and better equipped to care for those who support processes of social transformation every day.