“Stay connected” through the Network of volunteers
Summary
In June 2022, the general meeting of Slovene volunteers for quality and healthy ageing was convened in the age-friendly municipality of Komenda. The Anton Trstenjak Institute has established the Volunteer Network for Healthy and Quality Ageing which through years of common work has spread and is active in several Slovene age-friendly local communities. Hundreds of volunteers from Age-friendly environments are today connected and continue with their work despite challenges related to the pandemic.
The Slovene Network of Age friendly Cities and Communities and Anton Trstenjak Institute have been utilizing specific methods to recruit volunteers as well as train and organize them. The volunteers from the network are responsible for establishing and leading various groups and programs including fostering conversations, reading, providing information on the prevention of falls in old age, living with elevated blood pressure, and even voluntary individual companionship with an older person to support the learning of information and communications technology (ICT). The volunteers also run local groups connecting informal caregivers who provide care for an older person, someone who is chronically ill, or a family member or friend experiencing a disability. These meetings help to support volunteer momentum and encourage the exchange of experiences.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was challenging to provide personal and professional support for volunteers and a new volunteer program was developed entitled “Stay connected from afar”. Despite occasional physical restrictions, this program is used to prevent the distress of older people and their loved ones during exceptional times. Through the use of ICT, we also run a course for volunteer group leaders and distribute manuals for volunteer work.
Website: https://www.inst-antonatrstenjaka.si
Key facts
Main target group: Older people in general
Other target group(s): Volunteers
Sector(s): Health
Other sector(s): Intergenerational connection
Desired outcome for older people:
Build and maintain relationships
- Accessibility
- Ageing in place
- Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
- Intergenerational activities
- Inclusion
- Participation