Description
Project addresses problem of low community engagement of people aged 55+. Inadequate knowledge and lack of preparation of people in pre-retirement age for active life after retirement results in “retirement axe effect", i.e. crisis triggered by retirement, which manifests itself in giving up broader social interactions, stress, depression, feeling of loneliness or lack of a sense of purpose. Project follows the principle of prevention of exclusion rather than dealing with the consequences of exclusion. Project purpose is to support working people aged 55+ in exploiting their own and group potential for community work and volunteering. Inviting public and private sector employers to co-author, support and continue the project is an innovative solution of key importance for the promotion of social activation of people aged 55+. Project will be implemented in Warsaw by three Partner Organizations from Poland and Norway.
Summary of project results
"According to the Central Statistical Office (2011), only 3.8% of persons aged 55+ actively support their communities (the lowest rate among all age groups). The final stage of professional life is not replaced with other forms of active ageing, and thus carries a social exclusion threat. The project purpose was to prepare persons aged 55+ to remain active during retirement by implementing their own social projects and engaging in volunteer work. Forty persons aged 55+ gained new experience and skills in social work. Eight implemented their own social and cultural projects, 3 undertook regular volunteer work to support non-governmental organisations. Following an introductory workshop, 40 persons aged 55+ attended 4 study visits at institutions offering volunteer work openings. Eight meetings were held, attendants exchanging inspirations and ideas for social work. Experienced culture animators delivered a series of workshops to design original social and cultural projects, offering implementation assistance as well. Eight persons implemented their own social projects, 22 engaged in community work, 3 undertook regular volunteer assignments. The project was joined by 6 employers (public and private) who designed individual career development paths for project participants. A publication was published, advising employers how to support the social activity of persons aged 55+ within the framework of a volunteer work programme. The project was attended by 40 professionally active persons aged 55+, and 6 employers. The Polish partner (“ę"" Association of Creative Initiatives) contributed their experience of co-operating with persons aged 55+, social and cultural project incubator tools, and culture animators' assistance. They also organised meetings with graduates of previous senior programme editions. The Norwegian partner (Volunteer Work Centre, Tysvaer) contributed their concepts of engaging citizens aged 55+ in volunteer work, and handled participant consultations."
Summary of bilateral results
The Association intended to address the problem of poor interest of seniors in volunteering in the public institutions. It established contact with the Norwegian municipality of Sveio Kommune which has extensive experience in the field of engaging seniors in voluntary service. Representatives of the Association took part in a study visit to Norway, where they met with representatives of Sveio Kommune and observed a daily work of institutions involved in engagng seniors in the community work - in the municipality of Tysvær and Haugesund. The representatives of Tysvær Frivilligsentral - Volunteer Centre in Tysvær - came also to Poland to discuss the planned project details. They submitted a joint proposal in the second and third edition of the themetic projects competition and received a grant in the third round.