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Medicine & Health

Well-being and Social Inclusion: The Experience of La Spiaggia dei Valori

We study how non-pharmacological interventions can improve the quality of life for people in vulnerable conditions and their caregivers.

Opening new pathways for promoting well-being and relational health.

What we have achieved

€ 8,140
Funds raised to date
€ 9,000
June 2025 Target

Description

This research project aims to assess the social, psychological, and care-related impact of the La Spiaggia dei Valori (The Beach of Values) experience.

Since 2018, the initiative run by the Insieme a Te Association has provided free access to the beach and the sea for people with severe disabilities and their caregivers. The facility offers an inclusive experience thanks to the presence of healthcare and volunteer staff, specialised equipment, and accessible spaces. It is the only beach facility in Italy operating under formal agreements with the Romagna Regional Health Service (AUSL), the University of Bologna, and local municipalities and regions.

The study will collect data from individuals with chronic, non-oncological conditions, their caregivers, and healthcare and volunteer staff, to assess how the beach experience, as a non-pharmacological intervention, influences overall health, emotional well-being, and the quality of interpersonal relationships.  

The findings will be published in academic studies, with the aim of contributing to the development of new socio-healthcare intervention models.

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Goals

  1. To evaluate how beach attendance affects the care and quality of life of vulnerable individuals and their caregivers.

  2. To assess the experience of caregiving and volunteer staff, with a particular focus on identifying their training needs.

  3. To analyse the data collected at the end of the season and publish the results.

Impact

  • To raise awareness about the role of non-pharmacological and socially significant interventions in improving the quality of life and care of individuals with chronic, incurable conditions.

  • To contribute to the development of scientific knowledge aimed at identifying more integrated and humane approaches to palliative care, while also improving socio-health planning and organisation.

  • To promote a virtuous and replicable model for palliative and social inclusion interventions.

The project La Spiaggia dei Valori by the Insieme a Te Association was created to offer support and inclusion to individuals with severe disabilities and their families, reserving eighteen dedicated beach spots named after the association’s core values.

To date, over 1,400 people with vulnerabilities and their caregivers have benefited from the services, with the support of more than 2,100 volunteers.

Since 2024, the project has opened up to everyone, offering an inclusive and supportive seaside holiday experience.

The project has already been the subject of a research fellowship entitled “Perceived psychological well-being and restorativeness among visitors of the coastal area – La Spiaggia dei Valori”, conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Bologna.

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You can make your donation online or by money order. If you do not have an Italian tax code or would like to donate more than €10,000, please contact us.

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A donation is of modest value if it does not significantly affect your finances.