If you are a student, a doctoral student, or a university employee and you want to change someone’s life – come forward and become a volunteer/caretaker of a refugee family!
The formula is to help them adapt to the realities of life in Poland by establishing relationships with specific refugees. This form of support is the volunteering of small gestures – its detailed character depends on our imagination, creativity, and possibilities.
More information on the website: https://us.edu.pl/instytut/is/2022/04/29/inkubator-adaptacji-zaproszenie-do-wolontariatu/?doing_wp_cron=1651728950.7187020778656005859375
(Adaptation Incubator – invitation to volunteering | Institute of Sociology | University of Silesia in Katowice us.edu.pl)
Adaptation Incubator – invitation to volunteer
The ‘Adaptation Incubator’ initiative, established at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Silesia – in cooperation with the Social Centre for Refugees from Ukraine – invites students to take up the role of volunteer in the formula ‘Caretaker of a refugee family’.
ACTIONS:
– current support and monitoring of the situation of refugee families (mainly mothers with children)
– provision of information on various forms of available assistance (systemic and ‘occasional’ – e.g free train tickets, organised activities for Ukrainian children, etc.).
– contact with refugees – by phone, instant messaging (key availability in case of needs, questions, etc.), from time to time also personal contact
– integration activities – according to possibilities, needs, and imagination (e.g organizing free time, meetings with friends or family, going for a walk together, showing the area – etc.)
WHO:
– students, doctoral students, university employees,
– no knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian languages is required,
– it is possible to work in your two-person teams.
IMPORTANT:
– within the Social Centre for Ukraine Refugees some people are at the disposal of Caretakers in case of perceived needs of the clients (medical, legal, psychological,…)
– each volunteer receives a certificate confirming their involvement.
The last few weeks have shown that there is a huge potential and willingness to help. The only thing is not to lose this enthusiasm but to wisely put it into everyday practice. With a relatively small effort of time, each of us can make a real difference in someone’s life. The Good Economy does not often offer such a high rate of return. Let us not miss this moment.
What does a Caretaker of a refugee family do?
– gives a sense of security and offers basic forms of support.
– provides information on opportunities for visitors.
– provides information on the reality of life in the city and helps people to get to know it.
– tries to actively guide and support refugees in their new situation.
– responds to specific needs of refugees (e.g provides contact to a doctor or psychologist…).
– collect and provides refugees with information on possible forms of support.
What does the REFUGEE FAMILY CARETAKER not do?
– they do not offer psychological, medical, or legal assistance – they only refer refugees to specialists in this area and help them make appointments.
– it is not an overprotector – it does not bother with phone calls, it does not run all errands for refugees, rather it shows possible paths and supports the process of becoming independent.
– they do not expect anything in return and do not judge.
Anyone wishing to get involved in this form of support is asked to fill in the form – with the option ‘Volunteer_ki – family caretaker’ marked and the note ‘University of Silesia’ in the comments.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!
COORDINATION:
Adaptation Incubator (Faculty of Social Sciences), Social Centre for Refugees from Ukraine
PROJECT SUPERVISOR:
Rafał Cekiera, PhD, (Migration Research Team, Institute of Sociology, University of Silesia)
If you need additional information – contact us by e-mail: rafal.cekier@us.edu.pl
