The aim of the project was to improve accessibility and efficiency of home care and day care social services in Pakruojis (Lithuania) and Bauska (Latvia) municipalities for lonely elders, people with disabilities, families at social risk and children being raised in those families.
The main idea of the project was to empower people of different generations to help each other on voluntary basis. People in need – elder and disabled who can’t look after themselves and are alone need care and communication, children from families of social risk need to appreciate, cared for, spend time meaningfully and see a good example. People caregivers – elders who are still active and capable need feeling of being needed, possibility to realize their potential, also schoolchildren and students of social faculties from regional universities, who need to collect hours of social work, however are not always informed about the possibility to volunteer in social care centres or, in most cases, lack skills and knowledge to offer their assistance. The idea of the project met the need of all participating, connecting the different generations for social inclusion: during the project implementation 49 volunteers from Lithuania and Latvia (21 elder, 28 youth) participated in joint trainings and study visits to social services providers and NGO’s having volunteers. Gained knowledge was used organizing social inclusion measures together with social services providers for target group persons: lonely elders, people with disabilities, families at social risk and children being raised in those families – three social inclusion measures were foreseen:
- summer schools (camps) (lectures with psychologists, activities for learning stress management, emotional health, healthy life style etc.);
- socio-cultural events (celebrations of Family, Grandparents Day, joint cultural event of dances, songs and games);
- activities for physical activity, mind training, emotional and mental health improvement (in Pakruojis: Nordic walking, open air workouts, outdoor table games, dance lessons; in Iecava: intellectual and fitness afternoons “YOUTH against WISDOM”, using purchased intellectual outdoor games and interactive floor).
In order to ensure efficiency of social services 26 Latvian and Lithuanian specialists improved their qualification by participating in 4 joint seminars. During the seminars specialists learned how to evaluate and create psychological security, attract volunteers to the social work, also learned about positive communication, intergenerational conflicts and ways to cope with it. Efficiency of social services was also improved by improving conditions of hard work for social workers working in three social services providers established by the partners: homecare and day care services in Iecava (Iecava County Social service) and Pakruojis district (Pakruojis non-stationary services center and Klovainiai center of young people with mental disabilities). During the project implementation was purchased two specialised vehicles for transportation for elders, disabled and for visiting persons who needs social care services. To focus on social work and be able to visit more clients was purchased 19 electric bikes, 9 notebooks, 25 mobile phones, 1 printer for social workers for customers’ survey at their place of residence instead of filling paper documents. Quality and variety of social services for elders, disabled, families at social risk and children being raised in those families was improved due to installing of sensory room and interactive floor in Klovainiai center of young people with mental disabilities, purchasing four big size outdoor intellectual games, security buttons service in Iecava County Social service, outdoor leisure infrastructure (concrete chess, card, tennis, table football tables) was installed in public spaces at Pakruojis non-stationary services center available for all residents of Pakruojis and surroundings.
In the project activities participated 852 socially vulnerable people and they were benefiting from more accessible, efficient social inclusion measures and improved social services.
Cross border approach taken fostered synergy between partners on both sides of the border, which created perfect conditions for experience sharing and learning, development of new services – Pakruojis District Municipality has better developed social services, thus transfered their best practice to project partner Bauska Municipality, while in the meantime project partner has better developed volunteering practice and both of them worked on creating social services based on volunteering.
Specialized vehicle for Iecava County Social service
Equipment for Iecava County Social service
Specialized vehicle with automatic lift for Pakruojis non-stationary social services center
Equipment for Pakruojis non-stationary social services center
Sensor room and interactive educational floor for Klovainiai center of young people with mental disabilities
