During the summer, young adults with disabilities enrolled in LEAD project participated as volunteers in the educational-recreational activities organised by the Together for Future Association (IPV) in the Intelect Park (Constanța) and on the Pupa Beach (Mamaia).
Our young adults were involved in: taking over and guiding visitors into the Park, and the maintenance of the green spaces and giant outdoor games. Also, they joined enthusiastically in the activities carried out in the Intelect Parc project (group games, for example), and they enjoyed the summer sun. They were monitored by our colleague, Olivia Grigore, and they were coordinated by IPV representatives. According to Olivia, this year, the most involved young adultswere Denisa and Gabriel, who participated weekly in the activities organised in Intelect Park.
“Volunteering activities are very important for young adults with disabilities. Firstly, they learn to: communicate, work in a team, complete a task. Secondly, they discover the joy of being useful to other people, they have opportunity to socialize and to learn new things. Thirdly, they receive a document which certifying their involvement in these projects, so they can prove their work experience”, explains Olivia.
HAO and IPV (Association highly involved in volunteering activities with and for people with disabilities) have collaborated since 2019, when they signed a partnership agreement. Based on it, the young beneficiaries of HAO have the opportunity to spend quality time during the summer, working, learning and having fun in two special places, namely Intelect Park (an innovative project, which offers children an useful alternative to spend their free time, socializing and developing their intellect through mind games) and Pupa Beach (the first beach from Romaniaaccessible for people with disabilities).
The project “Labour market Employment for young Adults with a Disability – LEAD” is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.
Cristina Șerbănescu
