Circuito S.T.E.P.S. – the community takes action!

It develops on the idea of an inclusive community that takes care of its members.

Most of the time, they are simple micro-initiatives that have a significant symbolic value. These micro-initiatives can be directly proposed by the Network, such as arranging a neighborhood dinner or providing a spot for a neighbor at the table; spend free time together on walks, visits to museums, or for a simple chat; host a promotional corner for S.T.E.P.S. initiatives; activate social checkout in supermarkets or stores; offer a coffee or meal to those who are unable to afford it; offer temporary/periodic spaces for neighborhood activities especially in condominiums; furnish materials or equipment for urban regeneration activities or propose a shopping voucher or discount for initiatives promoted by the S.T.E.P.S. project as a pretext for socializing; introduce educational moments at school on the subject of “Happiness”.

Independent initiatives can also be proposed by Network members themselves.

The project intercepted around 140 commercial establishments in the 3rd district and collected about twenty memberships, mostly from bars. A florist, a few grocery stores and a couple of pharmacies also joined in. What led the members to join and what are the underlying motivations? The S.T.E.P.S. project’s team directly inquired about it with them.

Elena is a professional Biographical Counsellor. She decides to join the Circuito S.T.E.P.S. to fulfill the needs of the community that have been neglected over time, leading to a negative trend regarding sociability and community ties, even more exacerbated after the Covid pandemic. Her micro-initiative (Biographical Counselling) is a process of sharing memories between adults (from 35 years of age and older) to retrace their biographies together and discover small or large treasures in the experiences of each of us.

Elena emphasizes the importance of expanding the number of aggregation centers in the neighborhoods of Verona, especially for elderly people who are seeking close-by activities. Proximity is definitely a winning point. Paolo shares the same thought, emphasizing the importance of an intergenerational dimension in these centers. As the owner of a pharmacy in the 3rd District, he is highly sensitive to issues of loneliness. Paolo has been collaborating on networking activities for citizens with local associations for several years, and for this reason, he decided to join the Circuito S.T.E.P.S. He believes that loneliness affects everyone. It is a problem for both elderly people and young people. According to him, mothers are one of the most lonely groups. For this reason, one of the micro-initiatives he proposed is to provide free obstetric support and advice to mothers during the months surrounding the birth of the baby. It is also his belief that providing an elderly contact person in every condominium would be both important and useful. That's why he created a WhatsApp group to report situations.

Luigi and his wife are the owners of an optical shop. They joined the 'sociality checkout' micro-initiative by offering the opportunity, especially to the elderly in the neighborhood, to have a chat with them, even without buying anything in their store.

Mauro is the owner of a deli that also serves as a bar. He exemplifies active citizenship for his community. Chess games, musical aperitifs, and various street parties have been organized by Mauro for several years in front of his shop to bring together the people of the area from all generations. He believes it is important that activities connect the most vulnerable people to each other. In his opinion, loneliness is a substantial problem, particularly for young individuals who have lost the value of human contact and the ability to socialize.

Antonietta, a psychologist, joined the Circuito S.T.E.P.S. with two different micro-initiatives: a group of volunteers (Associazione Cittadinanza attiva) promoting environmental cleaning walks open to the free participation of anyone and a “psychological first aid” service.

In regards to the first initiative, she stresses the need for institutions to provide more support for the significant work done by volunteers. Eco-walks are an opportunity to socialize while providing a useful service to the city.

With reference to the “psychological first aid” service, psychological distress is a delicate matter that must be addressed without fear of judgment, both for the elderly and especially for young people. The creation of teenagers' identities can only be achieved by hearing them because they lost human contact during the Covid pandemic.

There is an intention to continue feeding the Circuito S.T.E.P.S. even after the conclusion of the project and perhaps encourage its members towards an action of disseminating their experiences to raise awareness among their peers in the same profession. It is a capillary action that requires time, tenacity and motivated ambassadors who move around the territory.