12Oct2024
Lovebridge Policy Update Contacts
Multiple Dimensions of Poverty

Forms

There are different forms of poverty: Absolute, Relative, Situational, Generational.

Locations

Not restricted to pockets of poverty but disseminated, poverty is often lived behind closed doors. It is important to reach out and build bridges across the island.

Target

Supporting families living in poverty and preventing vulnerable families from falling further into the poverty cycle.

Groups

Apolitical and secular, we support families from all religious & sociocultural backgrounds.
FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMME (FSP)
Lovebridge works closely with the beneficiary families to provide an environment promoting the personal and academic development of the child.
Through the FSP, the team works with children facing major academic challenges and who are enrolled in the Fortified Learning Environment Extended Programme. The field teams also provide support to the whole family unit, that is the parents and the siblings.
By intervening on the 6 fundamental interconnected pillars, Lovebridge aims at creating a more conducive learning environment and a continuum between the school and home. The objective of the project is that upon exiting the FSP, the children are empowered and have a clear plan for the future.
WORK INTEGRATION PROGRAMME (WIP)

The WIP targets unemployed individuals and individuals in unstable employment.
The objectives of the project are to help individuals acquire the necessary skills in their job search and in maintaining employment. The direct intervention on the employment pillar includes
a. Preparing for work
b. Connecting to jobs
c. Coaching on how to maintain employment

The WIP also aims at creating awareness among employers about the living conditions of employees from vulnerable backgrounds in order to create working conditions promoting employees’ well-being and inclusion. Under this part of the project, Lovebridge proposes:

  • Training of the management to better understand the reality & challenges of vulnerable employees (living in situation of poverty)
  • To co-create with companies support systems to ensure integration of vulnerable employees (peer to peer)
  • The setting up of a psychological support unit at the workplace for vulnerable employees
CAPACITY BUILDING
Capacity building is a critical and ongoing process at Lovebridge. It allows us to enhance our abilities, resources, and effectiveness in pursuing our mission. Capacity building encompasses a wide range of activities including continuous training, mentoring & coaching, knowledge sharing, quality assurance, and support in the daily field activities.
Capacity building is provided to internal teams to ensure continuous quality field interventions and to respond adequately to beneficiaries’ needs.
Lovebridge field experience and intervention methods are recognized. Our expertise is sought by stakeholders to train other organisations and social workers on the Lovebridge psychosocial method and management infrastructure.
RESEARCH
Research is a fundamental tool which provides the foundation for informed decision-making and effective programme design.

The first research project titled ‘Research on the long-term holistic accompaniment of families living in poverty in the Republic of Mauritius_ A case study of the Lovebridge model’ was carried out by the University of Mauritius in collaboration with the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council. The results of the study have demonstrated the need for and importance of psychosocial accompaniment for vulnerable families.

Research projects will continuously be carried out with the collaboration of research institutions with the objective of having a better understanding of targeted groups, societal issues, and hence be able to provide adequate field interventions.