On June, 24th the Give and Gain project took place in 16 different countries, including the Czech Republic. Here almost three hundred volunteers did not spent the day behind their desks and computers as usual - they decided to go volunteering in 38 different non-profit organisations doing various activities from creative and technical aid to physically demanding outside work. Group of 7 volunteered in a social-work therapy.
Overview
With regard to its legal existence, Creative Workshops is a very young organization. Until May 2003 the founders of this association operated as a non-registered group of volunteers themselves, who took part in carrying out various free-time activities and single integration events for young disabled people.
Many small gifts and decorative products are made by their clients during the social-work therapy. The aim of this social-work therapy is to develop work and social training. The clients get individual support from assistants when working with ensured material, learn new production techniques and obtain feedback on their own products. Creative Workshops help their clients to train themselves in self-sufficiency, basic self-care in conducting routine daily activities, and to prepare for Supported Employment, or possibly train in specific activities in preparing to acquire a position on the Open Labour Market. Currently have Creative Workshops 20 social-work therapy clients.
Summary
The main aim of the volunteering project was to help the clients in preparing art products in parts that are too difficult for them such as making of writing pad decorated by client‘s drawing. Another part of their work were final touches on several decoration products which were also diffucult for clients with physical and combined disabilities.
Volunteers had an oportunity to learn more about organization Creative Workshops and about the work of assistents and other representatives present during the project. Representatives had a chance to show volunteers organization and introduce them to it‘s functioning.
Impact
Volunteers from DHL Express and Česká spořitelna helped with wide range of products and gained much knowledge about the organization. Volunteers were so thrilled with the project and the work in Creative Workshops that they decided to help there more in future, even in their free time. They will also try to introduce products of the Creative Workshops in their own companies. Volunteers from Česká Spořitelna will try to enhance product sales by inviting organization to participate in their annual markets.
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