Goals: describe the main goals of the good practice

Measures for social welfare policy to reduce risk and strengthen protective factors:

• reduce poverty and social exclusion (employment, education …)
• provision of social cash assistance
• social welfare services (first social assistance, home help, personal assistance etc.)
• social welfare programs (companionship programs, self-help groups, intergenerational programs)
• development of volunteering
• coordinated action of authorities
• joint trainings
• awareness of public and individuals

Below will be presented one of the intergenerational programs in which younger help the elder.

Objectives of the program are:

• companionship
• transfer of knowledge, learning skills …
• information on services and forms of assistance
• motivation for an active life role
• discharging and development of confidential  relationship
• better care for the elderly at home
• creating a positive family atmosphere and better relationship in the family
• social inclusion

Target Group: describe on which group the good practice is targeted

- for elderly people

- for younger, who are also volunteers

Approach: describe the way in which the good practice is implemented.

Younger, who are also volunteers, are visiting the elderly in the family or an institution designed to raise awareness of quality, healthy and active ageing, with a view to training and learning opportunities for older (ex. working with computer, internet, functional knowledge), for the purpose of companionships, information and ultimately growing the intergenerational  relations. This form of assistance means social inclusion and direct assistance in cases of neglect and elder abuse (awareness, reporting, action). Groups of volunteers are professionally managed.

Who does implement this good practice? Mention, if relevant, the organization or persons who do the work.

Non governmental organizations

What material is available on this good practice (description, website etc.)

- leaflets

- website

How widely is this good practice used in your country?

Several years, daily.

What are the results, outcomes, experiences with this good practice? Please mention the source(s).

Utmost satisfaction of both, users – older people as well as performers – volunteers, who are younger.

Older people have more knowledge, gain skills, get information, they are more confident, they find themselves in different situations and/or know where they can receive assistance.

Are there effect studies? Please mention the source(s) if the answer is ‘yes’.

Source:  participants survey

What are the success factors?

Flexible form of assistance, available, free, takes place at home, carried out by younger, who are dynamic, equipped with current knowledge and content that they can easily transmit. Assistance includes support, understanding and relief over a variety of minor tasks; this type of help is also a contact with outside world.