The aim of the programme is to promote socialization (orienteering in the society) and to create a support resource for senior third-country nationals, creating an available resource correspondent to the age and interests with a creative way of teaching, to provide knowledge required in the integration processes (learning about Latvian culture and history, holidays and traditions celebrated in Latvia, creation of active lifestyle and handicrafts, intercommunication and cooperation, etc.).
This course which includes Latvian handicraft classes promotes the socialization and integration of seniors, since within the framework of the activities seniors are given an opportunity to find new friends, to improve their creativity and, possibly, to find new hobbies! :)
Activities are bilingual, stimulating the use of colloquial Latvian language on practice.
During the classes of the club “Active Lifestyle”, seniors – third-country nationals are given an opportunity not only to learn to play board games and sports games popular in Latvia, but also to participate in physical activities to maintain their health under the guidance of a professional teacher.
Health support is an important factor at any age; however, it is even more significant for this particular target group, since all medical services are fee-based. By staying physically fit, seniors are able not only to reduce their expenses for health care, but also to enjoy Nordic walking popular in Latvia and other physical activities together with Latvian seniors.
An active senior will be able to inspire others to do outdoor activities and to participate in social life!
In parallel to the classes during the Latvian language courses and in a colloquial language club, seniors are offered excursions aiming at helping seniors to learn more about the culture and history of Latvian people, as well as to learn new words of colloquial Latvian language on practice.
The language of the support group is bilingual, which is ensured by a support person for the provision of seniors’ activities and volunteers.
The cooperation with the Association of Latvian Seniors provides the target group of the project with an opportunity of easier integration – the organization of different joint activities helps finding people sharing the same interests, learning new words of colloquial Latvian language, as well as ensuring mutual support.
In order to reduce social isolation of seniors, social and psychological support is provided by a support person – psychologist who improves adaptive skills of seniors, conducts individual and group classes, promotes interpersonal communication between the direct target group and members of Latvian society, motives to participate in activities on the development of a united society. In the informal atmosphere of the meeting, it is offered to discuss the difficulties faced due to the age, the difficulties of adaptation, how to overcome them, usefulness for a family and society, home sickness, the mechanisms of overcoming it, etc. The content of meetings is mostly planned by the representatives of the target group.
The project is co-financed by the European Union.
Implementation of the project Diverse Solutions for Public Education and Integration is co-financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (75%) and state budget (25%).
This publication is supported by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the society “Shelter “Safe House””.
