Project RISE
Project summary
The project RISE – Respect, Inclusion, Solidarity, Equality focuses mainly on the inclusion and support of groups in society affected by COVID-19 and its associated consequences and limitations. The project consists of short-term (15-day) volunteering team activities where volunteers support people with fewer opportunities and special needs in the Czech Republic.
During the activities, volunteers will experience summer camps for children, young people and adults with disabilities and special needs and assist a home for the elderly in organizing activities for its residents. The volunteers will not only meet people from different countries and cultures, but also people with different opportunities and needs and different generations.
Through this, we aim to spread solidarity and respect in society and mutual understanding between different groups. Besides that, we aim to motivate the volunteers to stay active and think about different opportunities in society and also different consequences of COVID-19 for them in their own countries and communities.
Thanks to their participation in the RISE project, they will not only gain inspiration but also know-how and practical experience for their own involvement in the field of interest in their local communities.
On the other hand, the participants of summer camps and the clients of the old people’s home will have the opportunity to meet people from various countries.
What we achieved so far
2024
Centre for all
In July, volunteers from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and China took part in a camp organized by the local NGO Centre for All in Velký Osek. Together with Czech assistants, they supported children with and without disabilities in daily routines such as mealtimes, hygiene, and participation in games and workshops. Through this project, volunteers learned how to provide individual support and adapt to different needs. They also learned some useful Czech vocabulary to help during camp activities and gained a deeper understanding of inclusion and teamwork in an international environment. In their free time, they had the opportunity to explore the area, relaxed together, and shared traditions during an international evening.
Check out photos from the project.
Centre for All: Superheroes without borders
During August, an international group of volunteers from Spain, Italy, Hungary, France, Portugal, Argentina, and the Czech Republic came together at Centre for All in Borovice to support a summer camp for children with and without disabilities. Volunteers helped with daily activities such as mealtimes, personal hygiene, and assisting children during games and workshops. Working closely with Czech assistants, their main goal was to ensure that every participant felt included and supported. Through this experience, volunteers gained valuable skills in providing care and learned basic Czech phrases to communicate effectively. In their free time, they had the chance to explore the local area, relax, and enjoy an international evening where they shared food, music, and cultural traditions.
Check out photos from the project.
Assist the Elderly
In August, a diverse group of volunteers from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Uganda, and from the Czech Republic joined the Centre for Social Care and Nursing in Prague to support elderly residents. They assisted with daily tasks, including occupational therapy, organizing leisure activities, and helping the nursing staff with their duties. Volunteers also contributed to outdoor activities like gardening and going for walks, as well as preparing meals for the residents. Their main goal was to ensure the elderly felt engaged and cared for, while introducing fresh ideas to break the routine at the centre. Volunteers brought their unique touch, sharing music, pictures, and small games to foster connection.
Along with hands-on work, the volunteers received training on social care practices, occupational safety, and how to communicate effectively in environments where language can be a barrier. During their free time, they had the chance to explore Prague, visit historic sites like the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, or take part in local events such as Prague Pride.
Check out photos from the project.
2023
Centre for all
During two weeks in July a group of volunteers from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, France and the Czech Republic again supported Czech organization Centrum pro všechny (Centre for all). Together with Czech assistants they carried out various free time activities for young people with disabilities. They helped them with mobility, as well as with everyday tasks (such as dressing up, personal hygiene etc.). During the camp, it was very hot and sunny, so they also spent some time in the nearby forest. In their free time volunteers explored nearby cities and swimming pools. Thanks to their fellow campers, they learnt some Czech words and songs.
Centre for all Survivor
Second run of the camp for people with disabilities took place in August. This group of volunteers went through some challenging times – some of them got sick and then a big storm came, which destroyed some of the tents! But they all survived and with dedication and passion they carried on and supported the campers to have a good summer time. In their free time, they got well-deserved rest.
Assist the Elderly in Prague
Our long-term volunteer Ginger was a campleader for the very first time. Her group of volunteers from Spain, Hungary, Ukraine and Portugal supported elderly people in a daily life. Luckily this year they didn´t face any obstacles connected to the pandemic, so they could spend a lot of time with elderly and prepared entertaining free time activities for them, for example interactive language workshops, art origami sessions and outdoor walks in lovely parks.
Read about the project and see it through the eyes of its campleader, Ginger:
2022
Centre for all
In the summer of 2022, the first activity of the project took place in the Czech village of Jizbice. The group of international volunteers joined a volunteering team activity called Centre for all. The volunteers came from Spain, France, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic. Their main taks was to be involved in activities with people with mental and physical disabilities. The daily programme involved playing group games, excursions to the surrounding area, sports activities and treasure hunts. The volunteers gained a lot of new experience and developed their skills – such as working with people with disabilities and communication. The volunteers also learned about Czech culture and the local way of life and, on the other hand, had the chance to show something from their culture.
Check out photos from the project.
Centre for all Army Handicamp
The second activity was very similar to the first, with the only difference that our local partner chose ARMY as the focus of this activity. All the games and other tasks were based on a military theme. The volunteers came from Spain, France, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Their role was to support the Czech assistants in activities with people with mental and physical disabilities. The volunteers helped with basic daily tasks such as dressing, eating and personal hygiene, but also the participated in the camp’s programme. The participants also had the chance to learn about the Czech integrated rescue system.
Check out photos from this project.
Assist the Elderly in Prague
The third activity welcomed volunteers from Austria, France, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic. Volunteers involved in the volunteering team activity called Assist the Elderly in Prague came to the Czech Republic in order to help elderly people spend their free time in an interesting way. The purpose was to organise leisure activities, events and outdoor activities with the clients of the Centre for Social Care and Nursing in Prague 15.
In their free time, the volunteers explored Prague and joined social events (such as barbecue together with employees of our organisation). Unfortunately, the activity programme was interrupted by the outbreak of COVID and the volunteers had to isolate themselves. Due to these circumstances, the volunteers weren´t able to spend as much time with the clients as expected. This activity will be repeated in 2023, and hopefully under better conditions.
Check out photos from this project.
What they wrote about us
Partners of the project
The project is coordinated by INEX-SDA. On the project we cooperate with our partner organisations from Portugal, Hungary, Italy, Spain (Catalunya), France and Austria.
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”
Coordinator contact details
Anna Čamská
anna.camska@inexsda.cz
