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Description
The project wants to use innovative ways to encourage seniors and volunteers from high schools and universities to solve the problems of leaving seniors with mobility impairments at the edge of the society, by employing 2 disadvantaged job seekers as a volunteer coordinator, leisure animator and work skills development worker. Here, the "energy of young people and the experiences of old" will be linked, and common activities will allow seniors to decide for themselves on their present and future. The target group of the project is therefore people and seniors with special needs and mobility disorders up to and over 65 years of age, disadvantaged job seekers, young volunteers - students from high schools and universities and the public. The project usefully connects several sectors (city, self-government as well as the general public), organizes an ''Open door day'' in the House of St. Cosmas and Damian and will organize a sports day. It will also allow seniors to attend city council meetings. The project is being implemented in the Prešov region and will involve 25 seniors with special needs and mobility disorders from the House of St. Cosmas and Damian and 2 disadvantaged job seekers.
Summary of project results
Intergenerational cooperation between young people and seniors can create meaningful connections, break down stereotypes, and address social isolation. Involving seniors in public life brings numerous benefits to communities and individuals alike, it enhances community resilience, fosters intergenerational understanding, and ensures that society benefits from the wealth of experience and wisdom seniors have to offer. This project focused on both aspects.
Consultations of seniors living in social facility with public decision-makers facilitated by the project promoter were key points in this project.
Under leadership of the project promoter, seniors participated in the creation of community plan of the City of Presov by submitting suggestions in the action plan for the period 2021-2023. Finally, they met in person with representatives of the City of Presov and Presov self-governing region and discussed with them the current requirements and needs of vulnerable groups in our region. "Youth Energy and the Gray Experience" has become a reality, with 679 participants from the general public from all ages involved in the joint interaction. The mutual positive influence of seniors and the young generation was markedly visible at all events. The re-involvement of groups of young people in the project activities was also inspiring, as was the ardent enthusiasm involved in the consultations with the public decision-making body.
Seniors have even encouraged young volunteers to express their views and engage in the public debate on the need to help vulnerable groups. The seniors themselves wrote 2 open letters with requirements for public administration, they participated in one online meeting of the Presov self-governing region council, where the approval and support of different projects was discussed.
The success of the project is also evidenced by the positive feedback from the seniors, young students, family members and members of civic association project promoter. The project has a long-term character and has taught seniors, young people and the unemployed how to communicate and present their requirements to local governments. Thanks to these incentives, they have a better opportunity to take concrete measures to strengthen the position of vulnerable groups.