Socio-biogrophical experiences of people engaged in volunteer work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv1_ga_zKbU

Methods of qualitative social research Each participant gives a breif description of their social background Developer of the method : Author Fritz Schuetze Casual interviews and presentation The interviews:- - Recorded interviews - Participant decided when to end The result :- Interlink information provided

Examples of questions we asked A description on their experiences What does volunteer work/helping people mean to them? Why did they decide to be a volunteer/help people? Challenges they faced? The highlights of their experience helping others? What advice could they give us?

The participants We interviewed War veteran Partyzant The student

War veteran Born in the mountains in1925 The war began in 1939 Survival and providing help Three jobs working as a volunteer Taking care of a child Working as a gardener Working as an assistant in a shop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzouuoppTEE

The interview She didn't see it as voluntary because it was compulsery to help others Everyone helped everybody Had to leave family home at an early age She took care of a sick child as her first job (this was during the war) She was a gardener for a Doctor at his home Worked as an assistant in a shop in Lodz

The interview took place in her traditional Polish home

Although she may be retired, she continues to work helping her friends It is popular with the young people in our society to do volunteer work Wishes she could have a childhood like our current generation

Lyrics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gere_K02mGE Love will forgive you everything Sadness will turn you into laughter. Love so beautifully says: Treachery and falsehood and sin. Though he cursed her in despair, That is cruel and evil, Because love, my dear, it's me. If you'll love as much as I do, So tenderly, passionately, as you know, To the last, mad, to the bottom, It betray me then and sin. Because I love you all forgive Because love, my dear, it's me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gere_K02mGE

Partyzant PHD in Social Sciences Began “volunteering”/expressing ideas of freedom in 1989 Active in Orange alternitave and FMW (Federacja Modziezy Walczacej) Was involved in underground activies during the 80's and 90's

Interview 2.0 Historical background: Important changes in Poland Political, economical and social system was changed in Poland around 1989 Two developments in the preparation time for the semi- democratic election: 1. Fighting against the government 2. Supporting the government

"War-state" everything is organised like how it is during a war. Communism time: No freedom, the Government control everything, no free market e.g. the demostrations were illegal Substructures were created -They had to be creative -Methods: press and poetry

Substructures were created They had to be creative Methods: press and poetry Without money: they started the volunteer This topic is important for him, because he likes that the people are involved Never classed his work as “voluntary” it was simply due to having free time and believing in the work that was being done The challenges faced were finding a place to meet to discuss illigal topics and contacting people due to no mobile phones

Student Studied social pedagogy at University Worked in a hospital with children After her studies – volunteering Working in Sweden Current occupation The meaning of voluntary work

Interview 3.0 Enjoyed working with children in the hospital Took part in erasmus scheme so has experience working abroad Now volunteers with children who have down syndrome Agrees that it is a difficult field to volunteer in The outcome of her volunteer experience has given her the knowledge of what career to pursue

Advice from all participants 1. Cooporation is important, working alongside people and being a team player is the key to success 2. Appreciating the people around you as there will come a time when you will need the help from others 3. To volunteer more as there are always people that need the help

Conclusion What we learnt :- The difference between past voluntary work and Current voluntary work The working life during the second world war Polish history Volunteer work is a win-win situation