Hand in hand, step by step

The aim of the project is to strengthen a vulnerable group of Roma and non-Roma children and youth, children with disabilities or those who, after traumatic experiences, cannot integrate into the society and need external help in the form of mentoring meetings. The project actively involves also senior volunteers in the implementation of some activities. By these voluntary activities project eliminates threats of social exclusion and isolation, helps develop intergenerational cooperation and understanding. Project consists of two levels. The first involves the maintenance of existing volunteering programs, which are still in demand at the Volunteer Centre. The second level is the ambition to pass on our know-how to organizations in the less developed regions of the Banska Bystrica region, that could benefit from these volunteering programs. Existing volunteering programs include tutoring program, where one volunteer meets one child on regular basis to help the child prepare for school. Its contribution is mainly in strengthening the child's capacities, creating habits in the field of regular preparation for school, improving children's learning outcomes and eliminating early school leaving.  Other programs include assistance program that focuses on children with special needs, or mentoring program, that pairs one child and one volunteer to spend their free time together, talk and bond. This helps problematic children to have a positive role model in their life and prevents their social exclusion. Project aims to help overall 31 individuals from vulnerable groups.