The parishes of Sant’Andrea Apostolo – which the Doctrinaries have guided since its foundation – and San Giuliano – entrusted to the diocesan clergy of Rome – have joined “Quartieri Solidali”, a project promoted by Caritas Roma with strong ties to the territory, which provides parish priests with an operational tool to enhance the role of seniors within communities.
“We joined the project,” says Paola Raimondi, coordinator of the project for Sant’Andrea, “precisely because of the particular territory in which we live, a long road, the Cassia, densely populated, but with many difficulties – from traffic to the lack of meeting places – that make life difficult for elderly people who live alone.”
In recent months, Caritas Roma has provided all the volunteers involved with specific training to carry out this service in support of the elderly, offering them practical help, but above all to alleviate situations of loneliness, establishing relationships of closeness, friendship and listening.
A secretariat has been activated in Sant’Andrea in via Cassia 731 which on Monday mornings from 10 to 12 and on Thursday afternoons from 15:30 to 17:30 accepts requests in person or by telephone (371 3223514) or by email (quartieri.solidali.cassia@gmail.com) for assistance from elderly citizens (or their families) who wish to use the service. The secretariat also monitors the work of the volunteers, so that it is always managed in the best possible way.
The volunteers, trained periodically, commit themselves, a couple of hours a week, to provide free assistance with companionship and socialization activities; help with shopping or walks; assistance with small services such as going to the pharmacy or the GP; help with bureaucratic procedures; transportation for specialist visits.
“To date, the majority of volunteers, about ten plus another five for the secretarial service, are over 55 – explains Raimondi – and many already collaborate with Caritas. The goal is to involve boys and girls from the youth group of Sant’Andrea and both the scouts of Roma 20 Agesci and the Scouts of Europe, also Roma 20, in San Giuliano. The training in Caritas was fundamental, especially to set up light assistance, that is, without personal care, but proximity. We also met with the social services of the District”.
After the first visits on November 25th, today two elderly people are being followed; among the next objectives are to create “social rooms” with moments of meeting for community activities (games, songs, parties for anniversaries) «but first it is essential to create a network», concludes Raimondi.
Anyone who would like to share the Quartieri Solidali project can contact the secretariat (via email or phone) or come to Sant’Andrea during the times indicated.
