Bucharest, February 18, 2020
Elderly people who wish to stay active and take on a new social role can volunteer for vulnerable children attending after-school centers in several counties in Romania. Seniors have the opportunity to use their experience, passion, or talent in a specific field by offering children educational, vocational, or practical courses, as part of the Generations program developed by the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation.
The Foundation implements national programs that encourage active aging and volunteering in later life, based on a intergenerational approach. This approach capitalizes on the professional and life experience of elderly people, promotes solidarity and interaction between generations, and fosters the exchange of values and knowledge between children and the elderly.
Through volunteering, elderly people regain their sense of usefulness and rediscover the joy of living and giving, by getting involved in supporting children who face difficult life situations. At the same time, children receive help with subjects where they encounter difficulties, do their homework at after-school programs, discover new passions, gain practical skills, and improve their academic performance.
In the day centers of the "after-school" type supported by the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, elderly people have the opportunity to get involved, propose, or organize courses and practical workshops in various fields, focusing on children's academic progress or supporting them in their vocational or personal development process. Currently, the Foundation supports 26 day social centers working with senior volunteers, located in Bucharest and the counties of Alba, Arad, Argeș, Bacău, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj, Constanța, Galați, Ialomița, Ilfov, Maramureș, Mureș, Neamț, Sibiu, Teleorman, and Timiș. The complete list of centers where elderly people can become volunteers can be consulted at fundatiaregala.ro/mentori-seniori/.
In 2019, as part of the Generations program, 418 senior volunteers were active. In addition to helping with homework and providing individual tutoring in various subjects, they organized a series of original workshops based on each volunteer's experience and passion. Civic education through theater, workshops in pyrography, painting, sewing, traditional stitching, documentary film clubs, science, football, or tennis, music courses, and cooking lessons – these are just a few of the intergenerational activities coordinated by the elderly.
The beneficial effects of weekly interaction with senior volunteers were quickly visible among the children. In addition to improved grades and academic results, there was also an improvement in social skills and overall behavior, increased confidence, empathy, self-esteem, autonomy, and responsibility, development of skills and interest in traditions and artistic activities, as well as the discovery of talents that otherwise would have remained hidden.
Senior citizens who wish to get involved in educational, vocational, or recreational activities to support vulnerable children can find more details about volunteering by calling the number 0800-460–001 – Elderly Helpline – a free and confidential social counseling line for elderly people in Romania. In 2019, at the Elderly Helpline, 618 out of nearly 10,000 calls were requests for information about volunteering opportunities and activism for seniors.
Two of the social issues currently facing Romania are the accelerated aging of the population and school dropout caused by poverty. According to the INSSE report from January 1, 2019, over 3.6 million people in Romania are over 65 years old, and the aging rate is alarming, placing our country in second place in the European ranking. At the same time, 47% of elderly people suffer from the loss of their social role and feelings of uselessness, and 1 in 2 elderly people are affected by loneliness. On the other hand, children from poor families need educational support, and daycare centers in disadvantaged communities are facing insufficient resources. In this context, considering elderly people as a community resource represents an important paradigm shift, but one that is absolutely necessary for promoting active aging and adapting to the existing demographic situation.
The Generations Program is supported nationwide by Raiffeisen Bank, Hochland Romania, and Metropolitan Life.
About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation
The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is one of the elite non-governmental organizations in Romania that contributes to the development of civil society through social and educational programs. With over 30 years of activity, the Foundation supports children, young people, and elderly individuals through sustainable interventions based on the exchange of experiences and values between generations. The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is among the few organizations addressing the aging population phenomenon and its imminent effects on society, proposing practical solutions to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals. More details about the Foundation’s programs are available at fundatiaregala.ro/.
