Description
The project is focused on strengthening support network for vulnerable groups in the area of rural and rural/urban municipalities in Mazowieckie voivodeship, to be achieved by development of volunteering efforts and education of volunteers in 15 Social Welfare Centers (SWC). The objective of the project is to reinforce social welfare system with volunteering activities. Educational activities under the project are targeted at: SWC personnel and management, 150 volunteers, and at least 75 beneficiaries – SWC clients at risk of social exclusion. Project will enhance the capacity of SWCs as far as the management of volunteer-beneficiary cooperation is concerned, prepare volunteers for cooperation with people vulnerable to social exclusion and improve their commitment, and involve people at risk of exclusion in joint decision-making process as to the forms and type of volunteering assistance.
Summary of project results
"Assistance for persons endangered by social exclusion in rural and rural-urban municipalities is offered mainly by the Social Assistance Centres (OPS) and mainly consists in short-term financial help. Such form of assistance is insufficient when compared with existing social needs (in particular in the fields of leisure activities, help in everyday problems, educational support or interpersonal contacts). The aim of the project was to strengthen the system of support for persons endangered by social exclusion in rural and rural-urban municipalities in Mazowsze through supplementing the basic assistance offered by OPS s with additional activities, based on cooperation with volunteers. As a result of the activities implemented under the project, in 16 municipalities the Social Assistance Centres will broaden their offer for their clients. 84 clients of OPS s received support as to their social needs with participation of volunteers. Under the project, in 16 municipalities volunteerism coordinators and managers of OPSs were trained and supplied with individual consultations. 170 volunteers were engaged in the project (most of them declared their willingness to continue cooperation after the end of the project). In each OPS, meetings on building local coalitions were conducted and five meetings for volunteers were organised to prepare them to work with clients. The handbook ""Volunteerism in OPSs"" was updated, and educational materials ""Volunteer - beneficiary, stop on the way to personal development on an individual example"" were published. Direct beneficiaries of the project were persons endangered by social exclusion - clients of social assistance centres (84 persons). The project was implemented in partnership with the Municipal Social Assistance Centre in Kowala, experienced in cooperation with volunteers. The partner was the host of a study visit organised for volunteerism coordinators, at the same time being a reliable source of knowledge and inspiration."
Summary of bilateral results