Description
The objective of the organization is the social inclusion of people with disabilities and elderly and this can be achieved only by involving all the community members. The volunteers will have the a chance and opportunity socialize with elderly, to get involved in activities with different approaches and outcomes for a better and valuable time for them. The volunteer work is a necessity within the services for people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities and also for elderly, otherwise it will be too costly for each of us, for the community and for the state. The objective of the project is to encourage the active citizenship and volunteer work in activities meant for people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities and elderly. The project is expected to increase the capacity of people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities and elderly, to integrate into society. For this we will create training programs for volunteers in such a manner as for these to develop skills to create common activities with the organization's target group.
Summary of project results
The “SOCVOL” project aimed at promoting the active citizenship involvement in Bucharest and Ilfov in volunteering actions in behalf of disadvantaged groups, and development of a working methodology for the volunteers that want to help people with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities and elderly. The objectives were fully achieved. A Volunteer Handbook was developed and includes an overview of all information / skills / attitudes needed by a person to perform certain activities with elderly and people with intellectual and/or associated disabilities. It was printed in 500 copies and distributed within the workshops and events organized by specialists and volunteers of the organization. A number of 26 partnerships with private, educational and public institutions were established to actively involve volunteers in the activities of the project promoter. A volunteers’ management strategy was developed and the promoter staff (volunteers’ coordinator, coordinators of the programmes for elderly and for youngster with learning disabilities) was trained on how to work with volunteers, from recruitment, training, until awarding them. Over 400 volunteers were involved in activities within the project. Out of them, 70 volunteers have been involved regularly in activities within four teams: Youth team, Elders team, Kineto team and Events team. They have been involved in different types of activities within the day centre run by the project promoter, such as: kinetotherapy, assisting specialists in providing direct services, games and leisure time activities, accompanying children during socialization activities carried out outside the centre, organizing different types of public events etc. The volunteers’ involvement had a great impact upon the direct beneficiaries of the organization. The volunteers developed positive attitudes towards direct beneficiaries, gained new competences and knowledge in the field of disability/elderly, as well as practical skills to work with these targets groups. Moreover, all the competences are fully recognised through the certificate of competences (Voluntarpass).
Summary of bilateral results