More information
Description
Project aims to ensure empowerment of vulnerable group – cancer patients, thus improving quality of life for them, also helping to feel valued members of the society and involving people into volunteering activities, etc.
The main target audience of the project – cancer patients – a socially vulnerable group – 100 000 people in Lithuania. Applicant intends to empower as many cancer patients as possible to obtain free legal, psychological consultations and lifestyle recommendations, to benefit from free or discounted goods and services, to ensure that cancer patients together with caregiver could attend cultural and educational events for free, also provides opportunities for active individuals (volunteers) and NGOs to contribute to these activities.
Throughout the project (1) 5 types of services provided to cancer patients, will be improved; (2) 720 participants will benefit from individual consultations/training on how to better advocate for themselves after hearing cancer diagnosis; (3) cooperation between private and public legal entities will be strengthened (discounts and free invitations will be provided by at least 100 private enterprises and at least 80 cultural and educational institutions); (4) at least 32 civil society organisations will cooperate to promote inclusion and education of cancer patients; (5) at least 80 volunteers will be involved in project activities; (5) at least 135 persons will complete training on how to provide help to vulnerable groups; (7) at least 26 000 people will benefit from the inclusion activities throughout the duration of the project.
Summary of project results
There are more than 100 000 people living with cancer in Lithuania who are currently receiving active treatment or who regularly visit medical institutions for possible recurrence. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Lithuania, affecting 18 000 people each year. On average, 180 more people develop cancer each year than the year before.
Cancer treatment is long and exhausting. Some patients who complete active treatment become disabled, face health discrimination and either lose their jobs or their careers. Cancer patients and their families face reduced incomes, and there are high costs not only for treatment, health maintenance and medicines, but also for expenses such as transport. Many cancer patients and their families face financial difficulties and are at risk of poverty.
In addition to job insecurity and financial hardship, anxiety about the attitudes of others, low self-esteem and depression add to the vulnerability of cancer patients.
Oncology patients often need expert help and guidance from lawyers to help them deal with social and financial issues. Studies show that patients'' psychological state and emotional well-being are significantly improved by individual counselling from specialists, art therapy and attendance at cultural events. Good emotions and positive thoughts not only help recovery, but also help reintegration into society and the labour market. However, many cancer patients struggle to meet their basic needs, let alone services such as private expert consultations.
The project aims to address the problems of oncology patients and their family members:
- financial hardship due to the disease, increased risk of poverty;
- loss of social and independent living skills due to reduced or lost ability to work, prolonged treatment, and social exclusion
- anxiety and uncertainty about the future, the attitudes of others, the resulting loss of self-esteem, feelings of loneliness and isolation, depression;
- the need to access targeted information, acquire new knowledge, skills and competences, as a result of the desire to survive and the need to adapt to a changed life reality;
- the need to compensate for reduced quality of life during treatment and in remission with positive emotions.
All the planned objectives of the project have been fully achieved:
- Improved and expanded POLA card service groups, increased the number of beneficiaries and expanded access to services in the regions;
- Empowered vulnerable people, cancer patients to help themselves;
- Adequately trained POLA team members: staff, volunteers, representatives of organisations.
Activities:
- The majority of oncology patients are elderly and have limited internet skills, with a strong focus on telephone counselling by POLA cards and community coordinators, involving volunteers. A network of POLA Card Ambassadors in Lithuania was also maintained and developed to ensure access to the card for all individuals.
- New partnership agreements have been signed, which provide access to services or goods at discounts of 10-100%.
- Active efforts have been made to ensure that POLA card holders can attend cultural and educational events free of charge. Invitations were distributed for both remote and live events.
- POLA cardholders were kept informed about the opportunities and privileges of the card and other information relevant to oncology patients. Information on POLA card discounts was regularly updated on https://pola.lt/pola-kortele/#pola-nuolaidos and posted on POLA social networks. Invitations were sent to events organised by POLA''s partners - cultural and educational institutions or organisations.
- The availability of POLA''s individual consultations has been expanded - an email is sent to each person who has registered for a POLA card online, presenting all the services provided by POLA, the free individual consultations and how to register for them. For people who receive their cards during live meetings with volunteers, the volunteers provide information about the consultations by telling or giving printed materials on how to register for a consultation.
- Personalised training sessions - counselling - are provided to enable POLA card holders to resolve their issues and problems. Throughout the project, 799 vulnerable persons received individual (legal, dietetic, psychological) counselling, which helped them to strengthen their advocacy skills and abilities, and trained them to help themselves.
Throughout the project:
- 5 types of services provided to vulnerable group – cancer patients, have been improved;
- 799 participants benefitted from individual consultations/training on how to better advocate for themselves after hearing cancer diagnosis;
- cooperation between private and public legal entities was strengthened (discounts and free invitations are provided by 140 private enterprises and 80 cultural and educational institutions);
- at least 32 civil society organisations cooperated to promote inclusion and education of cancer patients;
- 80 volunteers were involved in project activities;
- 139 persons completed training on how to provide help to vulnerable groups;
- at least 33 000 people benefitted from the inclusion activities throughout the duration of the project.
After implementing project activities exclusion of cancer patients was reduced, their financial burden was alleviated, social skills and independence were strengthened, patients were enabled to advocate their needs and encouraged to be actively involved in their treatment process and societal activities, treatment outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients and their families were improved.