(Slovakia) After the pilot program, high school students from Slovakia living in the dormitory in the city Banská Štiavnica began participating in weekly visits to a local social services facility. There, they engaged with clients—mainly seniors and people with disabilities—by playing games, painting, singing, doing quizzes, playing instruments, and going for walks. These activities lasted 60-90 minutes each week and aimed to make the clients’ afternoons more enjoyable. The students signed attendance sheets, which tracked their volunteer hours and led to certificates of participation.
Students who had been in the pilot program helped recruit new volunteers, created informational posters, and trained newcomers. They introduced program standards and prepared peers to handle unexpected situations they might face during their visits. Volunteers first worked in groups and, after training, started visiting clients individually. The program served elderly residents, those with health issues, and people with limited mobility or communication abilities, many of whom lacked regular visitors.
The project involved 37 students, 2 teachers, and 25 clients, aiming to reduce loneliness and improve the quality of life for seniors. Students learned valuable life skills such as empathy, responsibility, and communication, while gaining a deeper understanding of social work. They also developed creativity, teamwork, and organizational abilities. For the clients, these visits provided joy, new friendships, and stronger intergenerational connections.
The program strengthened both the students’ personal growth and the well-being of the clients, creating a foundation for a sustainable, enriching initiative that will continue in the following school year, potentially expanding to other social service centers.
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