ACHTSAMER 8
About this good practice
Anyone can find themselves in challenging situations in the course of
their lives and need support and caring relationships. Based on this,
being in need of help is not a stigma; people ask for help and get
involved for others. In a society based on solidarity, people look out for
each other and everyone can participate in social and cultural life.
In a permanent participatory process, a local caring network, a caring
community, has been created in Vienna's Josefstadt district (8th
district): with representatives of district politics and numerous
institutions as well as people who live or work in the district. People
with dementia, old and young people in challenging life situations and
many others are supported with professional and informal help.
Concerns and willingness to help are continuously collected and
shared: on the care hotline, in meeting formats (e.g. storytelling cafés),
at regular get-togethers and at the large citizens' forum. New support
options are developed together.
A digital care map (achtsamer.at) makes the care network visible with
a wide range of offers. A printed map with age-friendly places in the
district where you can take a break on your everyday routes or find a
free toilet and opportunities for dialogue was sent to all older residents
of Josefstadt. The annual ACHTsamkeit Day makes it possible to
experience togetherness in the district.
The ACHTSAME 8th is the initiator of the DACH network Caring
Communities.
Resources needed
Management is based on one full-time equivalent. The project relies on contributions from the Sorgenetz association, district institutions, and voluntary efforts of Josefstadt’s citizens. Some costs (e.g. for Tag der ACHTsamkeit/Day of Mindfulness) can be supported from a separate pot for measures.
Evidence of success
The ACHTSAME 8th has already won several awards and is in
demand internationally. For us, the initiative is successful because the
local care network is lively, cohesion is tangible and vulnerable,
supposedly hard-to-reach people also have access.
Potential for learning or transfer
Our measures are largely customised to the location (inner city district)
and the people who live here. Even if details can never be transferred
one-to-one from one Caring Community to another: Certain framework
elements contribute to success not only in the EIGHT TIMES 8th, for
example: the initiation and maintenance of a cooperative and trusting
local care network in which key actors of the community (politicians,
institutions, citizens) are involved, the appreciation of those who are
already there, the cooperation of volunteers and full-time staff or the
initiation of meeting places.
With its expertise in dementia, neighbourhood work, participation and
networking, caring communities, public health, storytelling cafés and
other meeting formats, etc., the ACHTSAME 8. is requested and
visited by numerous initiatives and institutions from Germany and
abroad (e.g. EuroHealthNet), and activities have become a regular part
of a museum's programme.
Further information
Images
Documents
Care map supporting social participation and mobility for the very elderly, people with limited mobility and people with dementia. Everyday routes can be planned along toilet, rest and chat possibilities from home.
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
