Solidarity Senior Support Corps were started over two weeks ago. A dedicated helpline will be started as part of the programme. Reaching the number (22) 505 11 11 will allow seniors to request assistance in activities which require them to leave home and are made more difficult because of the pandemic. That means, among others, going to get groceries or delivering hygienic articles.

Support during the pandemic

The task is implemented by municipalities, in cooperation with NGOs and volunteers. The latter occupy an important place in the Corps. It is the volunteers who deliver groceries to seniors, but also help them with chores around the household. The Corps has already enrolled 10 thousand volunteers, and nearly 11 thousand seniors have reported a need for support. – Today it amounts to nearly 140 youth organisations and civic circles help seniors – says Piotr Mazurek, Undersecretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, government plenipotentiary for youth policy.  

– he unique initiative of the Solidarity Senior Support Corps is the best proof that Poles are sensitive towards each other and remain in solidarity in crisis situations – notes Minister Marlena Maląg.

Digital volunteer

You can aid not only in the daily activities, but also in adapting to the digital world. The programme has just been expanded to include the possibility of reporting the willingness to help with the issue of raising digital competences in seniors. Each of us can, through the “Support Senior Citizen” initiative, may help the elderly to use the tools to communicate at a distance or to deal with official matters over the Internet. 

– It is important that the elderly stay home during the pandemic. Thanks to the help of volunteers, they will learn how to use digital tools and will be able, for example, to communicate with offices without leaving home – says Adam Andruszkiewicz, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

If you wish to become a Digital Volunteer, all you have to do is fill in the form available at www.wspierajseniora.pl.

- We want to support and appreciate those who contribute to the improvement of digital competence among older people. We will reward volunteers with a digital certificate. As the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, we also with express our readiness to train each person who wishes to contribute to the Senior Support Corps in the field of digital assistance – stresses out the Prime Minister's Plenipotentiary for GovTech Justyna Orłowska.

For each completed Certificate, the State Forests will plant additional trees in areas affected by natural disasters.