Volunteering as cross cutting issue in social affairs Mateja Kozuh Novak, M.D., Ph.D.

Slovenia has more than NGOs Volunteer’s network in Slovenia 700 NGOs, 700 NGOs, led by Slovene Philanthropy, member of CEV – volunteers (12,5% -15% of population) members of voluntary fire fighting associations

350 humanitarian NGOs in Slovenia National forum of humanitarian NGOs (NFHOS) has 148 members

Slovene Federation of Pensioners’ Associations 66 years old NGO 504 local associations 13 regional associations members volunteers

Project Older people for better quality of life at home Goals: To improve quality of life of older than 69 in local community, who live in their households through voluntary work of their retired neighbors To improve quality of life of older than 69 in local community, who live in their households through voluntary work of their retired neighbors To improve monitoring of state authorities, responsible for the quality of life of older people, by civil society To improve monitoring of state authorities, responsible for the quality of life of older people, by civil society

Start of the project in 2004 In the period of 7 years 228 ( 45,2%) local associations of pensioners entered the project 228 ( 45,2%) local associations of pensioners entered the project More than volunteers, including management of the project Only 1,5 employees

Slovenija older than 69 (12%) older than 69 (12%) By the end of (45%) older than 69 included in the project

In 7 years volunteers made visits to their older neighbours, arranged assistances to them - social security services - visit of field nurse -home care -prevention of solitudiness -prevention of violence against older people In 7 years volunteers made visits to their older neighbours, arranged assistances to them - social security services - visit of field nurse -home care -prevention of solitudiness -prevention of violence against older people

REsults of the analysis of quality of life of >69 15% feel healthy 5% without major health problems 86% use drugs 3% never visited MD

REsults of the analysis of quality of life of >69 25% live alone 25% live alone 23% live with children 23% live with children 6% single 6% single 41% widows/er 41% widows/er 79% owners of flat/house 79% owners of flat/house 3% w/o running water 3% w/o running water

REsults of the analysis of quality of life of >69 86% - first aid - children 86% - first aid - children 16% need assistance 16% need assistance 46% could not pay for assistance, 33% only partly 46% could not pay for assistance, 33% only partly 3% already have assistance 3% already have assistance 33% could not come through with montly income 33% could not come through with montly income 76% daily contacts with children 76% daily contacts with children 60% stil help to the children 60% stil help to the children

Intergenerational collaboration Project Fruits of the society Older people + school children assist to older in need