| Short descriptor of good practice |
| The project ‘Let us be active!’ aimed at decreasing social exclusion and loneliness among older people in Estonia, Finland and Latvia through involving them in voluntary work. Also, professionals got a deeper awareness of senior volunteering and options that can be recommended to seniors. The idea is to develop a programme that will allow older people to stay active and participate in their communities by doing voluntary work. |
| Type of setting where good practice is delivered |
| The project was coordinated by Baltic Region Healthy Cities Association and the activities were carried out in Parnu (Estonia), Turku (Finland) and Riga (Latvia). For example the call center in Riga or through the Tripfriend activity in Turku elderly got an opportunity to be socially active, do something meaningful, find fulfillment, find an activity that fits them best and establish friendship. In Pärnu a website on volunteering made activities available for seniors. The project also changed the procedures and routines for professionals. They got a deeper awareness of senior volunteering and options that can be recommended to seniors. The guidelines for social workers on volunteering are available online. |
| Time Frame for delivery of good practice |
| The project lasted 01.05.2015 – 28.02.2017. |
| Type of learner the best practice is supporting |
| · seniors 60+ willing to volunteer · social and health care workers |
| Resources used as part of good practice |
| http://database.centralbaltic.eu/project/15 http://database.centralbaltic.eu/sites/default/files/Guidelines_Senior%20volunteering_%20LetUsBeActive.pdf |
| Aims and objectives of good practice |
| · To promote senior volunteering · To increase social inclusion and well-being in old age, while making use of older people’s valuable skills and experience. · To strengthen professionals and social workers in order to get deeper awareness of senior volunteering and options that can be recommended to seniors.. |
| Evidence as to why this was considered good practice |
| The project involved: · more than 800 participating seniors · more than 300 social workers/health care professionals involved Online guidelines for social workers on volunteering in four languages were created: The city administration in the partner cities have decided to continue managing the services after the project’s ends. Experts from the World Health Organization support the project implementation. |
| 3 Key learning Principles that were used in this good practice to support senior learners |
| 1. Participation 2. Individualization 3. Intrinsic motivation |
| Any additional learning that we can take from this good practice example |
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| Any Additional Information |
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