8. Self-Help Knows No Borders – For Inclusion and Unity (Russian)

In this seminar, we will discuss what outreach work is and its advantages and disadvantages. We will explore the principles on which outreach is based in the context of harm reduction and what forms it can take. We will also look at what those who want to work in outreach can expect and what competencies are required. Is it intimidating or not? Does street-based social work make sense—and if so, for whom? Everything you wanted to know about outreach work in the context of harm reduction.

In this seminar, we will discuss what outreach work is and its pros and cons. We will examine the principles on which outreach is based in the context of harm reduction and the different forms it can take.
We will also explore what to expect if you want to work in outreach and what skills are needed. Is it frightening or not? Does street-based social work have a purpose—and if so, for whom?
Everything you should know about outreach work in the context of harm reduction.
Speaker: Elena Remneva

Often, when conducting HIV and hepatitis tests, we think our main goal is to learn and communicate the result. If we reflect more deeply, we start considering how to convey information about HIV and hepatitis transmission routes, treatment, and prevention.

When conducting HIV and hepatitis tests, we often think our primary goal is to learn and communicate the result. If we think more deeply, we also focus on conveying information about HIV and hepatitis transmission routes, treatment, and prevention.
Yet there are other, equally important goals: empowering individuals, restoring their sense of self-efficacy and authorship over their own lives, fostering acceptance, enabling a sense of belonging to a community, and much more.
We will discuss these equally important goals—regardless of whether the test result is positive or negative. We will also explore which methods can help us achieve these goals even in short, field-based testing situations.
Speaker: Maksim Malyshev

Let’s talk about how to help people from vulnerable communities—and society as a whole—develop strength. How do we see the people we support: as weak and helpless, or as individuals with their own principles and the ability to cope with challenges? What can we do to recognize the skills, competencies, values, and even the small steps they take to improve their lives? The workshop will include not only discussions but also practical exercises. You will leave with several concrete methods for conducting conversations that empower people from vulnerable communities.

We will discuss how to contribute to helping people from vulnerable communities—and the community as a whole—develop new strength. Do we see the people we support as weak and helpless, or as individuals with their own principles and the ability to handle difficulties?
What can we do to acknowledge the abilities, competencies, values, and even the small steps that people take to improve their lives?
The workshop will include not only discussions but also practical exercises. You will take away several concrete methods for conducting conversations that empower people from vulnerable communities.
Speaker: Elena Remneva

A Perspective on Empowering Clients as a Key Component of Treatment Adherence

We often feel that the most important thing is to get the client to the hospital, to obtain antiretroviral therapy (ART), to admit them to the hospital, and so on. But that is only part of the process. An equally important part is ensuring that the client remains in treatment—or at least knows how to return—and understands what to do. So that they feel more responsible for their own health. Sometimes, however, our help can have the opposite effect: we disempower clients and make them dependent. We will discuss how social support can be structured to strengthen clients and give them greater agency over their own lives within the context of healthcare.

We often feel that the most important thing is to get clients to the hospital, enable access to ART, or arrange inpatient care. But that is only part of the work. An equally important part is creating the conditions for clients to stay in treatment—or at least know how to return. So they increasingly take responsibility for their own health and feel empowered to do so.
Sometimes, however, our help can weaken people, placing them in a dependent, helpless position. We will discuss how social support can be designed to empower clients and give them greater ownership over their own lives in the context of healthcare.
Speaker: Maksim Malyshev

In social work and outreach, we often forget the most basic level of human functioning—the body. While knowledge about the body and physicality has long been a key part of modern helping professions (social work, psychology, medical professions), it has now become a practical mainstream focus. We will explore how the body and physicality can play a role in our work. How can we use this knowledge as a resource? How can we account for the limitations that physicality imposes on social work with individuals? And most interestingly—we, as social workers, are also physical beings. This means we can also care for our own bodies and physicality in the context of our work. What does this entail? Find out in this workshop on physicality.

In social support and outreach work, we often overlook the most fundamental level of human functioning—the body. Yet, knowledge about the body and physicality has long been an essential part of modern helping professions (social work, psychology, medical fields).
We will explore the role that the body and physicality can play in our work. How can we use this knowledge as a resource? How can we consider the limitations that physicality brings to social work with individuals?
And last but not least: We, as social workers, are also physical beings. This means we can also care for our own bodies and physicality in the context of our work. What this means in practice, you’ll discover in this workshop on physicality.
Speaker: Elena Remneva

Peer-to-peer support as a measure to expand access to psychological assistance for representatives of vulnerable communities

Psychological and psychotherapeutic support are often too costly and frequently inaccessible. This is especially true for people from vulnerable communities and those who are migrants or refugees—due to a lack of financial support and language barriers. 

The workshop will share experiences from conducting peer-to-peer support schools in Tbilisi as a response to the lack of such support. It’s an inspiring story about how community members can support one another in difficult times. You can also look forward to a discussion on the exclusivity and inaccessibility of psychotherapeutic services.

Speaker: Elena Remneva

Psychological and psychotherapeutic support often come with high barriers to access, making them unreachable for many people. This particularly affects individuals from vulnerable communities as well as migrants and refugees—due to a lack of financial resources and language barriers.

The workshop will present experiences from implementing peer-to-peer support schools in Tbilisi, which were created in response to the lack of such services. It’s an inspiring account of how community members can support each other during challenging times. Additionally, there will be a discussion on the exclusivity and inaccessibility of psychotherapeutic services.

Speaker: Elena Remneva

Moderated by Sophie Kortenbruck

Goodbye to PoBe 2026—but we’re staying engaged and looking ahead with strength and solidarity. See you again in 2028!