The period of a pandemic which lasted for the majority of 2020, is a great test of social solidarity for all of us. Vulnerability and support for those who are most severely affected by the epidemic are extremely important. These include the elderly, less independent people, people with disabilities, homeless people. – In recent months, we have taken a number of measures to protect these people in particular – says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

There is doubt that the elderly are particularly vulnerable groups during the pandemic. They are most likely to be infected, so they should be very careful, limit contact with others as far as possible, and stay home.

– Appeals to stay at home are one thing, but real help and enabling the elderly to comply with this request required concrete action. This is why we established the Solidarity Assistance Corps for the Seniors – says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

A Single Phone Number, Great Support

The Senior Solidarity Corps is primarily a dedicated helpline which can be reached at 22 505 11 11; seniors can request various forms of assistance from shopping through walking their dog, up to online help with, for instance, an official case.

– This means that many things that would normally involve leaving their house are dealt with differently today. As a result, the risk of getting infected by the coronavirus is falling significantly – emphasizes Minister Maląg.

The success and high interest in the Corps, both from volunteers and from the seniors themselves, allowed to extend the support with further components, for instance virtual volunteering and, since early December – the voluntary service of convalescents. It involves allowing people who have undergone infection and are resistant to virus to provide assistance in social assistance homes.

The most recent component of the programme is, in turn, the Solidary Assistance Convoy for the Seniors. It involves packages containing food and various other necessary items, which have been sent to the homeless, the lonely and the elderly. The value of the support amounts to PLN 5 million.

Over PLN 600 Million for Social Welfare Homes

The voluntary service of convalescents is, of course, only a fraction of the support that social assistance homes could count on during the pandemic.

Out of this amount, Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development approximately PLN 327 million was allocated to support the residents and personnel of social welfare homes in projects selected under an extraordinary procedure. As much as PLN 175 million are funds allocated for additional remuneration for the employees of the units. In addition, there are also funds from the special-purpose reserve of the State budget. In total, the support for SWHs already exceeds over PLN 600 million.

– The safety of both the persons under care and the very hard-working workers of Social Welfare Homes is extremely important to us. That is why we have decided to allocate additional financial resources – Minister Marlena Maląg stresses. 

Support and Facilitations for Persons with Disabilities

Extending the validity of certificates of disabilities and on the degree of disability, facilitating a range of facilities for occupational therapy workshops or active employment establishments and continuing funding under the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled People, despite suspension or economic downtime, are just some of the many forms of support for persons with disabilities carried out during the pandemic.

– It also includes compensation for wages and, due to the new rules, also for contributions and taxes paid to the employees with disabilities hired in the establishment. We have also decided, for instance, to increase monthly compensation for workers with disabilities – said Minister Marlena Maląg.

She adds that the social economy entities and NGOs can count on financial support from the anti-crisis shield.

Computers for Children in Foster Care

The epidemiological situation has made it necessary to introduce remote teaching for students. This has proved to be a big challenge. The particularly difficult situation affected foster families and childcare facilities. Not all of them were able to provide every child with access to their own computer.

The project “Support for children under foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic” was designed to enable the purchase, in particular, of computers and software for remote teaching, audio-visual equipment, personal protective equipment and disinfectants.

The project is implemented through the European Social Fund and the state budget. It amounts to PLN 130 million Funds have already been sent to care units and foster families.

– Learning is, of course, very important, but contact with peers, which often proves very difficult today, is also very important. That is why I am pleased that we have managed to ensure that many children have access to computer equipment – said Minister Marlena Maląg.

Support for People in Homelessness Crisis

– This year we have devoted over PLN 17 million in support the homeless people this year – informs the head of the Ministry of Family.

It includes, for instance, the “Overcome Homelessness. Assistance Programme for the Homeless.” In total, under the 2020 edition three competitions were held where nearly 80 participants received funding. These include measures to prevent homelessness by preventive measures, activation measures, support for facilities to adapt their homelessness services to the standards in force, and to encourage the implementation of new solutions to help homeless people.

In addition, the for-instance project “University of stress creation”, implemented by the St. Albert's brother under the Knowledge Education Development Operational programme with the contribution of the European Social Fund. More than 4.2 000 people in the crisis of homelessness have been supported in combating or tackling the effects of a pandemic. Nearly PLN 5.5 million was allocated for that purpose.

The forms of support in the project are for instance Monitoring of non-residential areas, heating and low-threshold insulation, food and personal protective equipment, and providing a mobile guidance point. It is for instance that tens of thousands of homeless persons have been issued with masks.

In view of the difficult epidemiological situation at the beginning of November, Minister Marlena Maląg called on the Voivodes to make special efforts to help homeless people. Detailed guidance for the support centre operators has also been prepared.

Tailored Support

– We have experienced a year full of challenges. However, we do not forget anyone, and we do our best to get the help you need wherever you need it today. We are particularly concerned about those who are not always able to deal with themselves, i.e., the elderly, the lonely, the disabled, the homeless. It was difficult months, but I believe that better times are approaching with great steps, which I wish to all of us,' says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.