The Pomeranian School of Care-Oriented Voluntary Service
The Pomeranian School of Care-Oriented Voluntary Service (PSWO) is a project aimed at the creation and development of the voluntary service within long-term home care and at health care and social welfare facilities. We wish that in all places where there are dependent, sick, old and lonely people, there were volunteers to take care of them, assist them in their everyday activities and spend time with them. The experience of the hospice movement, where care teams have worked with volunteers for several dozen years, points to the importance of their presence and assistance – for patients and relatives but also for the teams themselves. These good practices can be used in healthcare facilities and other areas of home and long-term care. The priority task of PSWO is the implementation of the pilot project entitled “Care-Oriented Voluntary Service”.
Care-Oriented Voluntary Service – a Pilot Project
The project includes 5 medical facilities in the Pomeranian Province. It arose as a response to the growing need for the support of care teams operating in the domains of healthcare and welfare which were unable to assure comprehensive care to their charges (www.wolontariatopiekunczy.pl).
Helping is Beautiful – Activation of Senior Citizens through Care-Oriented Voluntary Service
The project is implemented under the Governmental Program “Social Activity of the Elderly” (ASOS). Its essential goal was to set up and develop care-oriented voluntary service at residential care homes in the Pomeranian Province. The invitation to become volunteers was addressed to all those interested, with priority to senior citizens. The project has resulted in the establishment of voluntary service centers in 22 residential care homes in the Pomeranian Province.