Rosa’s story: on leave from work, but full time family assistant.
Just a few days before establishment of the Technical Table for the Analysis and Definition of Useful Elements for a National Law on Family Caregivers by Ministers Alessandra Locatelli (Disability) and Marina Calderone (Work and Social Policy), we have received this intense story from a worker on leave, who is employed full-time in care work. Her story, although simple and direct, involves us deeply because we truly believe that it will be impossible to build an inclusive society if we cannot help those who help. Unfortunately, the legislative process for full recognition of care work proceeds slowly, despite the fact that there are over 8 million caregivers in Italy who mainly look after family members with significant care needs.
“For many years I have been a family caregiver and I put my career aside with regret, also as I couldn't find a stable job,” explains Rosa Antonella, 44, who defines herself as an accountant on “stand-by”, who has been unemployed for a long time. She worked in various offices and companies without ever finding "the right place."
“My worry has always been that I don't have a degree, since I couldn't afford to continue my studies,” she confesses.
When she discovered the opportunities provided by Project SWAT, Rosa enrolled in the Multimedia Specialist Course. “I did so because I decided to do something for myself and my future! I wanted to take advantage of this new opportunity when I learned that the course was organised so that I could reconcile it with my entire complicated family situation, thanks to the on-line sessions and the couple of hours a day commitment,” she explained.
“I had been looking for a training course, for a long time, that would allow me to strengthen and improve my CV and I finally found it.” Moreover, sRosa was amongt the first women to achieve a certification in advanced digital skills, which she shared with satisfaction on her LinkedIn profile.
Rosa's positive evaluation does not only concern the educational aspect, thanks to the "very attentive and understanding teachers," but also the relational one. Indeed, she found herself reliving a "classroom dimension" thanks to a united and supportive group, "made up of colleagues who became friends." Rosa hoped to "successfully complete the journey." Now, that she has managed to conclude the first stage in the best possible way, however, we hope that this result will "open up new job opportunities" for her. And we hope that SWAT will also help many other women in her same situation, engaged daily in the silent assistance network.
Project Supporting Women, Arousing Talents (SWAT) was selected by the Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale - Impresa sociale and is organized in partnership by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, Arci and Fondazione Adecco ETS. Courses on digital skills (basic, advanced, and specialistic) will be made available for 250 unemployed women, aged 18-50, in search of employment and/or a better job.
