Faculty of Health Sciences participated in the NordPlus project ‘Network Empowering Puppetry’
At the beginning of the new academic year, students and lecturers from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kauno kolegija participated in the international NordPlus project ‘Network Empowering Puppetry’ in Latvia. The project brought together students and academic staff from Kauno kolegija in Lithuania and P. Stradiņš Medical College in Latvia.
The NordPlus project ‘Network Empowering Puppetry’ is a long-term international collaboration initiative aimed at exploring the significance of puppet therapy for different target groups and examining its potential application by professionals working in healthcare and social welfare.
This year’s project focused on interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration in the context of health sciences education. From 21 to 25 September, Kauno kolegija students and lecturers participated in a programme of educational activities, professional visits, discussions, and practical sessions. The programme provided an opportunity to learn about the Latvian healthcare and social care system while exploring creative approaches that can be applied in health, rehabilitation, and social care settings.
Each day focused on a different area, including healthcare, social care and community services, social support, day care, rehabilitation, disability support, health, and empowerment. The final day was dedicated to ‘Empowering Puppetry’ – exploring puppets as a tool for health, communication, emotional expression, and social inclusion.
An important part of the project was the opportunity to visit various healthcare and social care organisations in Latvia. The participants visited the Laipa Multifunctional Social Service Centre in Kalnciems, the Latvian Movement for Independent Living (LKNDz), and the Samaritan Association of Latvia in Riga. Students and lecturers also visited the Sloka Day Care Centre, the National Rehabilitation Centre Vaivari, and the Day Centre for Children with Functional Disorders in Jūrmala.
These visits provided Kauno kolegija students and lecturers with an opportunity to gain a closer insight into healthcare, social care, and rehabilitation services in Latvia, as well as to learn more about the work of professionals in these fields. The practical activities and discussions encouraged participants to share experiences from Lithuania and Latvia, explore common challenges, and better understand the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation.
Particular attention during the project was given to the potential of puppetry and other creative methods to support participation, communication, emotional expression, and well-being. Participants had the opportunity to look at puppet therapy not only as a creative activity, but also as a potential tool for communication, support, and empowerment in healthcare, social care, and rehabilitation.
The final group reflection encouraged participants to consider how puppetry and creative methods can support people’s participation, communication, and well-being when moving from healthcare and rehabilitation towards empowerment.
For the students of Faculty of Health Sciences, this international experience provided a valuable opportunity to learn in a different cultural environment, exchange knowledge and experiences with Latvian colleagues, and strengthen their interdisciplinary and intercultural competences. For lecturers, the project created an opportunity to share professional experience, establish new connections, and explore innovative approaches that could be applied in healthcare and social welfare practice.
Participation in the ‘Network Empowering Puppetry’ project, founded by Nordplus, demonstrated once again the value of international cooperation and creative methods in professional education. The shared experiences of students and professionals from Lithuania and Latvia created opportunities for further collaboration and the development of new initiatives in the fields of healthcare, rehabilitation, and social care.
The project was implemented in cooperation between the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kauno kolegija and the Department of Social Care at P. Stradiņš Medical College.
