S.W.A.Y. Project Strengthens International Cooperation in Senior Wellness and Yoga

In 2025, the S.W.A.Y. (Senior Wellness and Yoga) project successfully implemented two international mobility visits aimed at enhancing professional knowledge in senior wellness practices and promoting cooperation between Lithuania and Türkiye. Both visits provided participants with direct exposure to practical methods for supporting active aging through movement, creativity, and person-centred care.

The first mobility took place from 18 to 23 June 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Participants followed a programme that combined practical sessions - such as chair yoga, adapted physical exercises, and meditation techniques - with visits to residential care homes and community centres. These activities allowed visitors to observe how wellness and social engagement are incorporated into everyday services for older adults. Many noted that the structured, community-based approach in Lithuania offered several ideas that could be adapted within their own institutions.

The second mobility was organised from 22 to 25 October 2025 in Nevşehir, Türkiye, where the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services hosted the Lithuanian delegation. The programme included institutional presentations, field visits, and observation of daily activities such as yoga-based movement sessions, gardening, and relaxation practices with senior residents. Participants valued the opportunity to see how Turkish social services integrate wellness into routine care and emphasised the usefulness of comparing service models across both countries.

Throughout both mobilities, participants highlighted the relevance of hands-on learning, the importance of exchanging professional experiences, and the benefit of observing real-life applications in different cultural contexts. The visits strengthened cooperation between the involved institutions and contributed to a shared understanding of how accessible wellness activities can support the physical and emotional well-being of seniors.

The S.W.A.Y. project continues to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing, laying the foundation for future joint initiatives that promote active and healthy aging.

Project No. 2024-2-LT01-KA210-ADU-000288817