Soulful Expression is a transformative journey into creativity and emotional well-being.
Through artistic practices and mindfulness, this project offers young people space to explore their inner world and express emotions in non-verbal, inclusive, and deeply personal ways. We use art not as a performance, but as a natural human expression – a tool for introspection, stress relief, connection, and emotional growth. This is a space where mental health and creativity meet in a meaningful, accessible, and joyful way.
No experience needed— just bring your curiosity and an open heart!
Use artistic and self-exploration tools, various artforms, mindful and holistic approach.
Connect, communicate, and express your inner world through art!
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Key Concepts
Here’s what Soulful Expression
is rooted in:
🧠 Mental Health & Emotional Resilience: Art as a tool for healing, emotional regulation and expression
🎨 Creative Expression: Non-verbal ways to communicate, explore, and connect
🤝 Intercultural Dialogue: Diversity reflected in shared and personal art
🛠️ Self-help & Peer Support Tools: Learn what works for you – and share it with others
Working Methods
● Art Workshops: Explore painting, writing, movement, and sound in a non performative way
● Non-Formal Education: Learning through hands-on, meaningful yet fun experiences
● Mindfulness & Reflection: Daily time for grounding and introspection
● Peer-Led Sessions: Participants co-create and lead their own workshops to share best practises
● Group Sharing & Community: Build connection and confidence through dialogue
Project Objectives *
Empower Youth With Holistic Tools for Well-being
Learn simple yet effective techniques to manage stress, cultivate self-awareness, and advocate for mental health in everyday life.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity Through Creative Dialogue
Reflect on personal and cultural identity using non-verbal expression, while learning from each other's backgrounds.
Grow Through Creative
Self-Development
Discover art as a mirror — a path to emotional awareness, confidence, and deeper self-connection.
Foster Deep Peer Supportand Belonging
Build a safe, non-judgmental community where participants can connect, listen, and grow together.
Break the StigmaAround Mental Health
Use creativity to spark honest conversations, increase understanding, and reduce the shame often surrounding mental health struggles.
Express Emotions Through Art
Explore painting, music, dance, writing, and drama as powerful tools for emotional release, storytelling, and resilience-building.
Participant Profile
● Aged 18–26
● Curious about your inner world and open to exploring it through art — no experience or art lessons needed
● Interested in mental health, self-awareness, and creative healing practices
● On a journey of self-discovery, looking to build confidence and emotional resilience
● Willing to share stories, hold space, and grow in a supportive community
● Comfortable communicating in English
Group Leaders
● Aged 18+
● Experienced in youth work, facilitation, or Erasmus+ exchanges
● Comfortable supporting group dynamics and acting as a bridge between organizers and your national team
● Bonus: Background in arts or mental health adds value!
We’re inviting young people who are not just looking for a project — but for meaning, growth, and connection.
Project Steps
PREPARATION
Online meeting: interactive sessions to establish a connection withing participants and address possible concerns. Establishing communication inside the national teams.
YOUTH EXCHANGE
Going together through various activities of the programme diving into creative exploration, self-expression and unveiling the inner artis hidden in us.
FOLLOW-UP
Create meaningful actions in your country (workshops, seminars, meetings) to impact your community. Share the Online Art Booklet that will be created during the project.
The Programme
16/10
Day 1
Arrival & Welcoming
Welcoming participants, settling in, and creating a comfortable atmosphere.
17/10
Day 2
Creating Group Cohesion
Building trust and connection through bonding exercises and collaborative creativity.
18/10
Day 3
Meeting My Inner Artist
Awakening creativity and self-expression through movement, voice, and storytelling.
19/10
Day 4
Meeting Local Artists
Engaging with the local art scene through workshops and cultural exploration.
20/10
Day 5
Becoming an Artist
Empowering participants to design and lead their own creative sessions.
21/10
Day 6
I am an artist
Showcasing creative expression through a public exhibition.
22/10
Day 7
Reflecting the artistic journey
Integrating learning outcomes, planning future applications, and closing the experience.
23/10
Travel Day
Departure day
Farewells
Project Venue
During the youth exchange, participants will stay at LE SORGENTI Centre which provides accommodation in rooms for 3 or 4 people with private bathrooms. The basic equipment like sheets, blankets and towels will be provided.
There's on-site kitchen with fresh meals provided by kitchen team.
Outdoor areas for reflection and connection, the rooms for working sessions are also based inside the complex.
Part of Le Sorgenti Centre serves as a recovery centre for people with addictions, for this reason, no alcohol is allowed on the territory of the facilities.
3 meals per day + plus 2 coffee breaks will be offered to participants
The food during the project will be vegan / vegetarian.
We stand for the sustainable and mindful approach also when it comes to meals and believe that our participants will share our values and enjoy it with us
Food
As a group, we will be responsible for taking care of the space we're using. Participants will take part in simple duties (preparing coffee breaks, arranging and cleaning the dining area, cleaning the common spaces and their own rooms etc.)
It is an educational choice: we believe that it is relevant to learn to take care of our own needs as a group. In case you are searching for an experience where somebody else is cleaning for you or serving you, this Youth Exchange is not suitable for you
Responsibilities
Travel costs, accommodation, food, and the programme itself are co-funded by the European Union through the ERASMUS+ program
To be entitled to reimbursement, we ask you to participate fully in the 3 steps of the project: preparation, dissemination and follow-up
Travel
The travel costs will be reimbursed for the amount shown in the original boarding passes, tickets, and invoices, up to the limits indicated in the chart below.
According to Erasmus+ regulations, participants must travel from their country of residence to the venue and back, no alternative routes are allowed. As well as no late arrivals or early departures
Amounts in the tabel below are the MAXIMUM amounts that will be reimbursed, all the costs exceeding these amounts should be covered by the participant
Arrival day - 16th of October
(arrive before 16:00 in Italy)
Departure - 23th October
(early morning)
Transfer will be provided by us between the train/bus station in Lecce and the venue. The cost of it is already deducted from maximum travel budget
According to Erasmus+ regulation, you can start your travel up to 48h before arrival day, and arrive back to your country the latest 48h after departure day
Estonia
380 €
Greece
195 €
Latvia
295 €
Italy
28 €
Poland
295 €
Romania
295 €
Participation Fee
We ask you to contribute to the implementation of the project with a participation fee: 50 EUR for Italy;
40 EUR for Estonia and Greece;
30 EUR for Poland, Latvia, Romania
For us, as a non-profit organisation, your contribution gives support to maintain our activities and keep spreading well-being among youth
The amount of participation fee is calculated proportionally according to the average net wage of each country.
In case the participation fee represents a real obstacle to your participation, please let us know in the application form
Get to Know Us, Meet Our Team
Who will follow you during your creative journey
Helina-Karoliina Tamm
Facilitator / Coordinator
Youth mental-health guide, creator and facilitator of both local and Erasmus+ projects. Her work focuses on psychosocial support of young people and children, drawing on creative self-discovery activities, experiential learning, contemporary counselling theories, body-aware practices, and a body psychotherapy approach.
Mattia Dossetto
Facilitator
Youth trainer, transpersonal psychology and hypnotherapy student with international experience in social inclusion and mental health, and freelance chef. His work combines creative methods, food culture, and a human-centred approach to foster connection, dialogue, and youth empowerment.
Timothé Elie
Project coordinator
Coordinator with a degree of International Master in Project Management, youth worker with experience in Erasmus+ projects across Europe, where he was involved as a mentor, coordinator, facilitator and translator. He's working focus is digital wellbeing and disconnection from technologies.
Adelina Popova
Photographer / Videographer
Youth worker and ESC coordinator with great passion for photography and videomaking. She'll be behind the lens, capturing the best moments of the experience, that means we will have warm photo memories captured during the creative path.
Our vision. Our mission.
Our story.
In New Wellness Education we are passionate about creating educating opportunities for everyone, and especially young people who are looking for their own life path.
We believe in power of non-formal education, experiential learning, and outdoor education - thing that make your learning joyful and memorable.
We organise Erasmus+ projects and ESC Volunteering projects in Bergolo every year bringing more and more people together.
New Wellness Education offers opportunities to raise mental and physical well-being for youth and adults, individuals and institutions, in daily life, while studying and at the workplace.
Meet our Partners
Soulful Expression
Contact
soulfulexpression@newellnesseducation.com
newellnesseducation@gmail.com
Location
via Scardino Peregrino 34, 73100, Lecce (LE), Italy
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