United in Strength: Solidarity Prevails!
In the heart of Düsseldorf, "Zentrum Plus" AWO has become a beacon of hope for seniors, offering a variety of initiatives to combat loneliness. This centre, under the leadership of Inge Wehrmeister, has transformed into a hub of encounter, engagement, and movement, providing opportunities for older adults to connect and engage in meaningful activities.
The brochure "Together less alone," developed by the Senior Council, encapsulates the essence of these efforts. Bernd Steeg, a retired volunteer, played a significant role in its inception. Steeg, who realised the importance of addressing loneliness in old age through his voluntary activity, has become a dedicated member of "Zentrum Plus" Unterbilk.
Wehrmeister, the centre's director, has been instrumental in networking to offer occupation to her regular guests during the pandemic. She organised a makeshift Christmas market in December 2020, and even made house calls with one of the cars from the Christmas market, offering mulled wine and cookies to her guests.
To further enhance the community spirit, seating areas were created in the redesigned front garden area of "Zentrum Plus". On sunny days, these seating areas, along with a public book cabinet converted from a telephone booth, are well-received, with mothers reading and children playing games.
Steeg, in his role as a volunteer, supports older, mobility-impaired people by shopping for them. He also contributed to the redesign of the front garden area.
However, it is important to note that only 100 out of around 300 regular guests of "Zentrum Plus" have an email address, highlighting the digital divide that exists among seniors. To bridge this gap, Wehrmeister has received help from young people during the pandemic, who have offered their assistance in various ways.
For precise and up-to-date details about what "Zentrum Plus" AWO Düsseldorf specifically does to combat loneliness, it would be best to consult the centre directly or visit AWO Düsseldorf’s official website. The centre typically offers various social, cultural, and health-related activities, including group events, workshops, outings, and support groups designed to reduce loneliness.
In these challenging times, the efforts of "Zentrum Plus" AWO in Düsseldorf serve as a shining example of how communities can come together to support their seniors and combat loneliness.
- The brochure "Together less alone," developed by the Senior Council, emphasizes the importance of mental health and lifestyle, as it highlights the initiatives of Zentrum Plus AWO in promoting health-and-wellness and combating loneliness among seniors.
- In the health-and-wellness sphere, Wehrmeister, the director of Zentrum Plus, has taken steps to ensure mental health is addressed, such as organizing group events and support groups to help seniors connect and engage in meaningful activities.
- Relationships also play a crucial role in the Zentrum Plus initiative, as Bernd Steeg, a retired volunteer, provides assistance to older, mobility-impaired people by shopping for them and supporting the redesign of seating areas and other public spaces, fostering a sense of community among seniors.
