Epidemic stimulates the development of new volunteer programmes

"Are you familiar with that feeling when you have made someone's day, even though it seems like you haven't done anything? That feeling of contentment, joy and genuineness, when you offer a kind word, a smile, when you share your knowledge with someone and take a moment in your seemingly full schedule to listen to a person no one else would listen to... when you simply broaden your horizons with others... just so, completely spontaneously... when bonds are formed, so fragile but so valuable... That is why I am a volunteer. Because it does not matter, how much I give, I always end up having more." (Petra M., volunteer at Slovenska filantropija)

During the epidemic, volunteers are delivering computers to pupils and keeping in touch with the elderly

The novel coronavirus epidemic is interfering with larger group activities, e.g. with intergenerational visits by pupils and secondary school students to homes for the elderly and with socialising with patients in hospitals.

Volunteer organisations have adapted the forms of volunteer work to the recommendations for curbing the epidemic. However, they have also responded to the arising needs with new volunteer programmes.

For example, they provided transportation for the staff of homes for the elderly when there was no public transportation available, they have sewn protective masks, and they have delivered food to vulnerable individuals to an even greater extent. They have talked with the elderly who had to remain in their homes during the epidemic, helped measure the temperature of passengers at the border, repaired and delivered computers to pupils so that they can participate in distance learning, and provided distance learning support, while choirs and orchestras have performed in front of homes for the elderly.

Volunteering out of the desire for a better quality of life or to change the world for the better

Volunteers are ambassadors of solidarity. Their role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals set out in the UN declaration is irreplaceable. At the turn of the millennium, the UN pledged to strive to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education and equal opportunities for all, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, prevent the spread of HIV and other diseases, and ensure environmental sustainability.

Volunteering, a cornerstone of society, contributes to the noblest aspirations of humanity. It is a source of strength, solidarity and resilience for every community and one of its most important assets; it brings about positive social change and improves the quality of life in society by promoting respect for diversity and the participation of all.

People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For example, they wish to help people in need, give back to an organisation from which they received help in the past, increase the quality of life in the local community, or change the world for the better. Some also want to gain new experiences and spend time with like-minded people.

Stories of volunteers

Volunteer Simona Nahtigal, Združenje DrogArt: "I work in a very specific field – the field of reducing the risks of alcohol consumption and the use of other drugs among young people, which is why the work is particularly interesting and dynamic. The main purpose is to disseminate information among young people so that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge to be able to make responsible decisions.

We work mostly at parties, where we usually set up a stand with our materials. We introduce our programmes to people, inform them about psychoactive substances (what they are, what effects they have, what the possible complications are, how to take care of yourself and your friends, etc.), sex, consent, and other topics that are relevant to nightlife activities.

We use various tools to disseminate information, such as leaflets, quizzes, articles, games (e.g. memory or a life-sized game of Ludo) or simply by having a spontaneous conversation. As part of my volunteer work, I also disseminate information in the field and on online platforms, write articles and more. I am pleased to say that I mentor new fieldworkers. This year, my colleagues and I are also organising an international Erasmus+ training course for youth workers like ourselves. Oh, it's just really hard to briefly describe everything."

Last year, 89 volunteers from Združenje DrogArt, a youth and humanitarian organisation, completed 2,539 hours of volunteer work.

Volunteer Katarina Žibert, Mladi Zmaji: "Mladi Zmaji Bežigrad is a district youth centre where young people meet for learning support or to make better use of their free time and fill it with various activities and workshops. I am a student at the Faculty of Social Work and have been working at the youth centre as a volunteer since November 2016.

My job is to help two fourth graders with math and other subjects when they need it. I also combine learning support with conversations about subjects other than school, such as well-being at the youth centre, school, home, etc. I like working at Mladi Zmaji as everyone is really easy-going, happy and friendly.

So no complaints there. I am also happy with the employees, as they really know how to motivate children and young people to attend workshops, and they also have table tennis, which young people enjoy playing. I must also mention that I really like working with "my" fourth graders, who are satisfied with my work and we get along really well. I was also surprised by their knowledge and enthusiasm for work."

Volunteer Simona Nahtigal, Združenje DrogArt: "I work in a very specific field – the field of reducing the risks of alcohol consumption and the use of other drugs among young people, which is why the work is particularly interesting and dynamic. The main purpose is to disseminate information among young people so that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge to be able to make responsible decisions.

We work mostly at parties, where we usually set up a stand with our materials. We introduce our programmes to people, inform them about psychoactive substances (what they are, what effects they have, what the possible complications are, how to take care of yourself and your friends, etc.), sex, consent, and other topics that are relevant to nightlife activities.

We use various tools to disseminate information, such as leaflets, quizzes, articles, games (e.g. memory or a life-sized game of Ludo) or simply by having a spontaneous conversation. As part of my volunteer work, I also disseminate information in the field and on online platforms, write articles and more. I am pleased to say that I mentor new fieldworkers. This year, my colleagues and I are also organising an international Erasmus+ training course for youth workers like ourselves. Oh, it's just really hard to briefly describe everything."

Last year, 89 volunteers from Združenje DrogArt, a youth and humanitarian organisation, completed 2,539 hours of volunteer work.

Volunteer Maša Soršak, Zavod Voluntariat: "Volunteering is a way of life. In my work as a volunteer I have gained various experience, including experience abroad. Through Zavod Voluntariat, I completed a 12-month European Voluntary Service (EVS) programme at the Swiss Peace Council (Schweizerische Friedensrat) in Zurich, Switzerland.

Volunteering works both ways; you give something, you get something in return – sometimes even more than you could have imagined. I was often "forced" to step out my comfort zone, which has helped me in public speaking, as it no longer terrifies me.

I would definitely recommend volunteering to everyone because you gain a lot of experience that is also useful in the job market, your personality grows, you broaden your horizons, become an active citizen and help with events, projects and campaigns that would probably be impossible without volunteers. In short, there are endless reasons to become one of us."