1. Socio-biogrophical experiences of people engaged in volunteer work

2. 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

3. 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?

4. The participants
We interviewed
War veteran
Partyzant
The student

5. 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

6. 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

7. The interview took place in her traditional Polish home

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. "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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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