Vicose vicinity: a ray of hope for older people!

Vicose vicinity: a ray of hope for older people!

The neighborhood aid of the Viewing View of the Oberbergische Kreis is an important offer for older people in emergency situations. This initiative was launched in 2009 to bundle and expand voluntary commitment. In Gummersbach and Engelskirchen in particular, volunteers are committed to providing individual help to facilitate the everyday life of seniors. In Gummersbach, nine volunteers are currently active, which offer accompaniment to shopping or doctor's appointments as well as help with cemetery visits. This support is described as free and unbureaucratic and does not require a specially trained staff. The project was started by Carmen Jauch in Gummersbach two years ago and has established itself as a valuable contact point since then.

In Grinskirchen, Ingrid Walbeck coordinates the local project for those who are looking for help and for the volunteers. The call to the older fellow citizens to report if necessary is particularly emphasized, as it is not only about help, but also about relieving relatives. All helpers are registered and are in exchange with the initiative to ensure the quality of the support. Maria Stiletto, an 86-year-old user of neighborhood aid, expresses her satisfaction with the help of Vera Daub, which underlines the personal importance of this initiative.

coordination and contact options

The Viewing Voluntary Initiative strives to motivate as many citizens to participate as many as possible. Interested citizens can contact the volunteer offices that are represented in every city and community in the Oberbergische Kreis. These offices offer a platform to volunteer or find supporting offers. Various contacts are available for contacting us:

• Hans-Willi Rudloff, phone: 01765/0215655
• Gitta Quercia-Naumann, phone: 01522/7378428 (Tue and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• Rolf Rieckmann and Anette Weichler are also contact persons.

For contacting the neighborhood aid in Gummersbach, the following information is relevant:

• Carmen Jauch, phone: 01 60/2 05 10 63, email: gummersbach@wishblick-obk.de , consultation hour Tuesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• in Engelskirchen: Ingrid Walbeck, phone: 0 15 75/2 99 80 90, email: Neighborhood help-engelskirchen@weitblick-obk.de , personal consultation Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

variety of support offers

The range of neighborhood help includes numerous household -related activities provided by committed citizens or community service providers. These tasks include laundry, errands and gardening, which are often taken over by volunteers. This type of support aims to enable older people to live longer in their own four walls, even if they are restricted in mobility. While most benefits are provided without remuneration, there are occasional small allowances that the helpers can receive for it.

The coordination and organization of such help offers are usually carried out via charitable and non -profit associations, outpatient care services and church institutions. It is recommended to inquire about other household offers in local aid services in order to be able to optimally use the support in your own community. Cooperation with various providers and institutions is an essential part of the Viewing Volunteer Initiative in order to be able to offer a wide range of support.

The Viewing Honorary Initiative thus makes a decisive contribution to improving the lives of older people in the Oberberg district and promoting a community that relies on neighborhood aid. The exchange between helpers and those seeking help and the opportunity to actively get involved creates a strong foundation for harmonious cooperation.