MU. RE. – Music, respect and health at the Montorio Prison, Verona
The project uses music as a means to involve women detained at the Verona Prison and to improve their awareness of the importance of prevention in terms of health. The activities aim to achieve two objectives: to educate the inmates about health and correct lifestyles and to offer opportunities for active participation through playful sharing, stimulating the relational skills of the beneficiaries and the acquisition of respectful behaviors towards themselves and others.
Activities
The project includes a path of meetings during which recreational activities of a musical and dance nature are carried out, coordinated and conducted by an operator with specific training in the musical field who encourages the participants to propose traditional music and dances from their countries. The choice to use this specific engagement strategy is motivated by the fact that music represents a transversal expressive language capable of overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers, stimulating constructive collaboration, encouraging physical activity, and bringing proven benefits to the psychological well-being of users in terms of the need for socialization and expression.
The choreological-musical component is an element of attraction useful for the creation of dialogue and discussion groups on health issues, considered relevant by the beneficiaries themselves, which propose new topics to be addressed in the next meeting from time to time. These issues may concern:
– the health of the woman;
– the care of children and pediatric pathologies;
– responsible motherhood;
– personal, oral and environmental hygiene in the context of the Prison;
– sexual life: sexuality as a relationship, the concept of normality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs);
– nutrition and lifestyles;
– the use of the NHS;
– Drug addiction: smoking, alcohol and other addictions;
– the construction of self-esteem and self-respect in the management of traumatic experiences;
– good practices of civil coexistence.
The groups are accompanied by a cultural mediator who stimulates the comparison and sharing of experiences, experiences and ideas on the subject of health, bringing attention to the fundamental value of prevention. Each specific health issue is then explored thanks to the involvement of volunteer medical and health personnel of Doctors for Peace who, as trainers, conduct the moments of discussion, provide and illustrate the information material and answer questions.
The internal staff of the structure is also encouraged to participate in the meetings, in order to share the training aspects conveyed.
