People with disabilities constitute 13,8% of the total population in the Pomerania Province (Census 2013). This indicator is on the rise. An illness limits the ability to fulfill social roles, or makes it impossible. It might also lead to breaking off of contacts with other people. Carers of people with disabilities usually suffer from burnout syndrome and very often neglect their own everyday tasks, as their lives are concentrated around the ill or the disabled. The life of many dependent people and their caregivers is complicated by a difficult financial situation, which stops them from using professional help.
The objective of the project was to counteract exclusions by offering legal, psychological and educational help also in places where ill or disabled people and their carers were residing.
The project helped in supporting people who have been deprived of specialist help until now. It has allowed them to undertake steps aimed at improving their standard of living and diminish their level of burnout.
Legal advice (1809), psychological advice (481) and educational advice (487) were given, amounting to 2,777 in total. They were provided both in the premises of the organization, as well as at the clients’ place of residence. With the support of the experts, 300 people developed individual action plans. Apart from information leaflets (2,000 copies), 2 brochures were published: “Ill people in the family” and “Patient’s rights” (4,000 copies in total), which have reached mainly senior centres and the Third Age Universities, hospitals, NGOs working for people with diseases, incapacities and seniors.
Among persons supported by the project, there were ill and disabled with their carers from Gdynia (732 people) and from other towns and villages (363 people) – 1,095 people in total.