I was recently invited to participate in the Bootcamp on Self-Care and Inclusion, organised by Lar de Artemis in Lugo, Spain, from 13 to 15 July. The activity was part of the Erasmus+ programme and was facilitated by trainers Carmen Marcu and Adrian Socol.
The Bootcamp brought together around 20 participants from different organisations in Spain and Romania. From the very beginning, it felt like much more than a training course. It was a welcoming space where we could exchange experiences, share ideas and good practices, and, perhaps most importantly, learn from one another.
Learning to look beyond our own perspectives
During the first days, we explored topics such as inclusion and diversity, stereotypes, prejudice, digital transformation, environmental sustainability and the barriers that can prevent people from feeling included.
One of the things I found particularly valuable was being encouraged to look at my own biases and assumptions. We often think of bias as something that affects other people, but the sessions reminded me that we all carry unconscious assumptions. Learning to recognise them is an important first step towards making fairer decisions, creating healthier environments and building stronger relationships based on trust.
We also explored the effects of trauma and how it can influence people’s lives and behaviour. One idea that stayed with me was the importance of seeing the person beyond their difficulties. Instead of defining someone by their trauma or struggles, we should try to reconnect them with their strengths, identity and resilience.
This was a particularly powerful reminder that compassion and understanding can sometimes be the starting point for meaningful change.
Self-care is part of the work
The Bootcamp also gave us many opportunities to stop and reflect on ourselves.
Through practical exercises, we explored what is really important to us and how we can maintain a healthier balance between body, mind and emotions. It made me reflect on how easily we can focus on supporting others while forgetting to take care of ourselves.
One of the messages I am taking with me is that self-care is not a luxury or something we do only when we have time. It is an essential part of remaining empathetic, resilient and capable of supporting the people and communities around us.
The people made the experience special
But, for me, the most memorable part of the Bootcamp was the people.
We worked in different groups throughout the training, which gave us the opportunity to get to know and collaborate with almost everyone. Although English was not the native language of any of us, the language barrier quickly became almost irrelevant. We shared curiosity, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to learn, and communication came naturally.
The experience also continued outside the training room. We shared meals, explored Lugo together and talked about our cultures, organisations and personal experiences. These informal moments were just as important as the training itself. They allowed friendships and professional connections to grow naturally.
Ending the journey on the Camino
The Bootcamp ended with a walk of more than 15 kilometres along the Camino de Santiago.
It was a beautiful and symbolic way to close the experience. After spending several days talking about resilience, inclusion, personal growth and connection, we had the opportunity to simply walk together, reflect and enjoy the journey.
For me, the Camino became a metaphor for the whole experience: growth does not happen overnight, and meaningful change is a journey. Sometimes we need perseverance, sometimes support from others, and sometimes simply the courage to keep moving forward.
And this is only the beginning
The Bootcamp may be over, but the project is not.
Over the coming months, we will continue working with our colleagues to develop our projects and action plans, bringing what we learned back into our organisations and communities.
I feel genuinely grateful to have been part of this experience. I came to Lugo expecting to learn new tools and approaches, but I am leaving with much more: new perspectives, meaningful connections, inspiring conversations and a renewed motivation to keep working towards more inclusive and supportive communities.
And perhaps that is the most valuable thing Erasmus+ experiences can give us: the opportunity to learn, to connect and to realise that, even when we come from different countries and backgrounds, we are often working towards the same kind of future.
Author: Esther Pacheco Dickinson