Many seniors find themselves living alone or feeling isolated from their families and communities. But places like the “Centar za zdravo starenje” elderly center in Sarajevo and our volunteers are changing that. These centers bring seniors together, giving them a chance to connect, learn, and have fun. And volunteers play a big role in making this happen.
What Is an Elderly Center?
An elderly center is a community space where older adults can gather during the day. These centers are designed to keep seniors active, engaged, and feeling part of the society. Instead of spending their days alone, seniors are meeting others, joining different types of activities, and enjoying social events.
At “Centar za zdravo starenje,” the focus is on creativity, health, and socializing. The center is offering interesting workshops, fitness classes, gardening, that are led by volunteers and people working in centre.
How are our volunteers making a difference?
Volunteers at centers like “Centar za zdravo starenje” are vital. They are brining energy, creativity, and kindness to the space.
Our volunteers are organizing creative workshops like painting, knitting, and cooking. These activities aren’t just about learning new skills, they have much deeper meaning, to give seniors a chance to express themselves and meantime to have fun. For example, a volunteer of ours showed to a group of elderly how to make beautiful decoupage decorations and guide a painting class.
From chess tournaments to tea parties, our volunteers are actively planning different social events that help seniors connect. These events are not only made for entertainment but to actually help elderly to build friendships and to create a sense of belonging. Many seniors are satisfied, and they always underline that these moments often are the highlight of their week.
Sometimes, the best thing a volunteer can do is simply spend time with someone, and that’s what our volunteers do, “whether it’s chatting over coffee or playing a board game, these moments of connection can brighten a senior’s day”, as one of our volunteer said. Volunteers listen to stories, share laughter, and offer kindness that makes a real difference, not only in lifes of elderly people, but our volunteers as well.
Volunteers are running fitness classes and gardening activities with elderly. “Staying active, for them, is most important for both physical and mental health”, one of the employees at centre said, and volunteers make these activities enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
How does the volunteers work impact elderly?
For many seniors, coming to “Centar za zdravo starenje” is life-changing. Because its not just about the activities, workshops, but mostly the main reason elderly are coming to the centre is to get a feeling like they are part of a community.
Seniors who were once lonely now have friends to talk to and spend time with, thanks to the help and guidance of employees and our volunteers. Learning new skills or sharing their talents makes seniors feel proud and valued, as well staying active and engaged helps seniors stay healthier, both physically and mentally.
Most of them express that they feel like they belong to a group, which brings them joy and comfort.
A Place for Everyone
“Centar za zdravo starenje” isn’t just for seniors. It’s a space where different generations come together. Our volunteers, young people, create strong bonds with the elderly. These interactions help break stereotypes and foster mutual respect.
Why It Matters?
Centers like “Centar za zdravo starenje” remind us of the importance of community and social interactions. As people grow older, they shouldn’t feel forgotten or alone. Instead, they should feel celebrated and supported. Our volunteers play a key role in making that happen, showing that a little effort can go a long way in building connections.
If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference, be sure that volunteering at an elderly center is a great place to start. You’ll not only help others but also learn from their experiences and stories. Together, we can turn isolation into inclusion and create a world where everyone feels they belong – so make the world wonder.