Keywords: Stagii de voluntariat EVS

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The St.-Petri-Stift (St Petri Trust) is responsible for charitable institutions in the region of Hoexter/North Rhine-Westphalia which care for the elderly and disabled. In 1998 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. Originally its roots lay in child and youth work. Approximately 130 people are employed by the trust.

As an educational and charitable institution the St.-Petri-Stift aims to help people who suffer dire physical, psychological or unacceptable social circumstances. The Konrad-Beckhaus-Heim (Konrad-Beckheim Home) cares for 150 elderly people. It provides appartments for couples, double rooms, single rooms, old peoples home flats and appartments. The institution offers care as well as living space for older citizens, starting with sprightly seniors up to the most extreme care case. Our motto is: To make a difficult stepa little easier!
Hoexter is a charming, historic town in the middle of the Weserbergland (the Weser Valley). The old town is witness to the typical regional architecture of the Weser Renaissance and is characterised by half-timbered houses. Hoexter is the seat of the county district of Hoexter. it lies on the eastern border of North Rhine Westphalia with Lower Saxony. The Hoexter-Holzminden region is known for being a small but dynamic and modern industrial area. Hoexter's business structure is predominantly medium-sized. In addition to industry (mainly manufacture of drive belts, man made fibres and mechanical engineering) and a large number of highly competitive craftsmen there is a remarkable health sector structure with two hospitals. The town has an important role to play as the provider in a catchment area for approximately 100,000. Hoexter has developed into a well known and popular tourist town. hoexter itself has a population of 35,000.
The Konrad-Beckhaus-Heim has regularly been taking volunteers since 1998 in the framework of the European Voluntary Service. The mobility of the volunteers is important to us. Therefore we provide a monthly season ticket for the regional public transport system and a bicycle for journeys in Hoexter and its surrounds.

By accepting young european volunteers we try to give them an insight into our work with senior citizens, integrate them into our community and further develop ourselves with them. The contact with international volunteers has been a welcome diversion in the daily routine of the occupants for years. During the months in the European Voluntary Service human contact and discussions de-velop which bear the beginnings of intercultural and generation exchange. Our experience to date has been that these discussions and contacts have been very helpful, motivating and stimulating. New perspectives open up on matters such as tolerance and understanding for both the volunteers and the elderly.

The volunteers are employed in social work. After an orientation stage they can work indepen-dantly of the employees and develop their own projects. The aim of this is to get into conversation with the elderly, share the daily routine with them and give it a personal touch. Experience with the volunteers from the European Voluntary Service over the years has shown that they are happy to introduce experiences and knowledge from their homeland. This leads to very varied projects. Without any pressure the volunteers can learnhow important communication and empathy are for living together (even in Europe). Sensitivity and listening to each other is important to us. At the same time we want to learn how the volunteers from their various countries feel about Germany and our efforts in caring for the elderly.

The volunteers, at their own request, can be involved in all aspects of the social work. The main aspect is the personal care of the occupants. The volunteers are invited to take part in the organi-sation and implementation of the many working groups in the home. Examples are the choir, handicrafts, sport, sewing, dancing and theater. The sprightly seniors particularly like to go shop-ping, go on excursions or meet up for games afternoons. Support from the volunteers in leisure activities is welcomed. The opportunities for our employees to get so personally involved with the inhabitants and undertake unusual leisure activities are rare. This creates fertile ground for the creativity and freedom of choice for the volunteer. The inhabitants and we are greatful for the sup-port of the volunteers.

Communication is very important in our work. The volunteers should be receptive to the needs of our occupants and introduce their knowledge and experience from their homeland. Knowledge of German would of great advantage.

Deadline: 2008/08/25