Description
The project addresses the social isolation of the elderly in the town of Asenovgrad. The project aims at supporting the elderly, bridging the gap between the generations through voluntary services provided by students from vocational classes. First, the project will be presented at St. Patriarch Evtimiy Vocational High School and pensioner clubs in Asenovgrad. Second, a seminar on volunteering will be held at the school and 20 volunteers will be selected. Third, the package of voluntary services for the elderly (hairdresser’s and beauty parlor, home visits, stylistic tips about the choice of clothes and haircut) will be developed and delivered. Finally, the students and the elderly will prepare materials for the 1950s Fashion workshop and the city party My Grandma is a Femme Fatale. The project will benefit the elderly, the disabled and the young as well as the local community in the town of Asenovgrad. The partner will provide the volunteers for the project.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at promoting volunteering among young people from St. Patriarch Evtimiy Vocational Secondary School, Asenovgrad, and providing community services that relate vocational education and practical training with voluntary work. The project also aimed at overcoming the social exclusion of the elderly in Asenovgrad Municipality. The project also proposed a model of inclusion of voluntary services in the activity of Social Patronage Municipal Enterprise, i.e. the provision of hairdresser’s services at home for the elderly and the disabled. In the course of implementing the activities the students identified the role of volunteering for the acquisition of important skills and competences such as social commitment, tolerance for the elderly, communication skills and entrepreneurship. The elderly appreciated the opportunity to communicate with the students and take active part in their vocational training. In the course of the project 54 students were trained in the advantages of volunteering and 27 of them were directly involved with providing services to the elderly. 38 elderly people took part in the joint informal training sessions and events. 79 services were provided in the study hairdresser’s and at home. The proposed model of voluntary work can be easily disseminated and expanded by joint activities between the elderly and the students without excessive funding. The project was implemented in partnership with St. Patriarch Evtimiy Vocational Secondary School, Asenovgrad. For more information about the project, please visit:
http://akroassociation.org/learn-and-help/ https://www.facebook.com/acroprojects/
Summary of bilateral results