CASE STUDY N°8

PAPER A - Problem statement:

Partner:

Spain

Summary:

It is about a large group of older adult women who do not feel able to become involved in cultural and educational activities.

Frequently, these women have some relatives to look after all day long, mainly their grandchildren, parents and dependants, which favours their isolation as they only have a loose contact with other members of their social environment.

We are talking about the so-called ‘slave grandmothers’ who, due to the current economic situation together with other social and cultural circumstances, have been forced to assume this role.

SYNOPSIS - Brainstorming session ideas imagined by learners and staff present at partnership meetings:

These Think Tank ideas operate as incentives for Partners to produce their PAPER B proposals.

PAPER B - How partners propose to solve the problem:

BELGIUM	These older adult women and the so-called “slave-grandmothers” have to find a new purpose in their lives. The lack of self-esteem being an important psychological aspect in relation to their social conditions has to be countered through a comprehensive programme that will get them to socialise and ultimately help them to reflect on their own situation. Producing anything (knitting garments, cooking wafers, recycling objects, etc) according to their abilities to increase their income and at the same time contributing to the welfare of others may be one of the factors that can induce change.
CYPRUS	It will be a good idea to motivate and make these people feel parto of a family to To hear music , films that they know and make them feel better Their families to come more closer by organizing some events Deal with teams how have the same interest Trust their teacher and share their worries and thoughts Advice by doctor on how to educate and handle sthese categories of people.
ITALY	It would be a good idea to encourage senior women to be confident and have self esteem with others to overcome their alienation and isolation. They could attend the parish and take part of pilgrimages or attend the Red Cross to help people in difficulty. Another good idea can be using handcraft activities such as :knitting, sewing, cooking cakes, making marmalades, painting and selling them in street markets or to the other housewives. Teaching these old handcraft activities to young people may make them feel more active and independent in their social contest.
LATVIA	1.To make a support group whose leader would be a woman who once had been a housewife/slave granny herself , so she would be familiar with this situation. Women need attention and help. 2. Organize regular meetings where housewives could share their experience, their hobbies and would get closer to each other (handicraft, cooking, gardening, etc.). 3. Organize a variety of interesting classes (should be short) to help the Valencia housewives relax and urge them to participate in local events, e.g., to organize some charity events, tell and show each other about their hobbies/interests.
LUXEMBOURG	…To establish a professional organized Senior Club for elderly people, women and men, in the area of Alicante, like the Luxembourgish Club Senior Nordstad. You can offer a diversity of playful activities for people with different interests to keep them active, healthy and happy with good social contacts. Maybe people are interested in social activities, like meeting together once a week at a comfortable place/room, cooking and eating together, dancing, talking together , singing, playing cards or games, making handicrafts, celebrating something together etc. Create an activity Programme with a diversity of interesting, playful and joyful activities and send it to all seniors, living in your region. Start with one or two activities / week. Try to cooperate with the communities, the government, the university and important sponsoring-partners.
POLAND	We propose to organize some activities titled: "Happy women are active women!". Project led by pupils and school teachers. Teachers delegate pupils to different types of activities with women, according to their qualifications. Pupils and teachers: inform neighbours, aunts, mothers, grandmothers about the planned activities/ the invitations are placed in bus stops, in shops, shopping centres etc/ duration: one month. Present the schedule of activities. The listeners choose the ones, that they are most interested in, thanks to which they can develop themselves.
PORTUGAL	1. Presenting themselves to others by bringing something they made (a cake, a piece of clothing, a painting, a pot plant...) or something they have that shows the others who they are. 2. Playing social games. 3. Cake decoration, embroidery, gardening, make-up workshops, which will make these grandmothers feel valued, by showing others what they are capable of and also that they can improve their image and feel better in the process. If a communal garden/patch is created, the participants will feel motivated to go back to the sessions at council facilities to watch the flowers/plants/vegetables grow.
TURKEY	• Some voluntary youngsters can read the books which take their interests and beliefs. • Doing some puzzles, playing chess and games that they like to play. • Outdoor activities, for instance; gardening, feeding animals. • Game ( Mangala)