The improvement marathon "#WeDoItTogether" transformed social boarding houses in the Vitebsk region.
New facilities, small architectural forms, mini-cafes have appeared in each of the 15 social boarding houses in Vitebsk region. Only this year, more than half a million rubles have been allocated for their improvement. This work is part of the regional improvement marathon "#We do it together," announced by the committee for labor, employment, and social protection of the regional executive committee in collaboration with the regional organization of the trade union of state and other institutions, and it continues.
Each social institution has its own recognizable face, its own style of territory design, its own name. But they all share a common goal – to create the most comfortable conditions for residents.
– The year of improvement and the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War undoubtedly influence the work of social institutions, – says Vera Astapenko, deputy chair of the committee for labor, employment, and social protection of the regional executive committee. – The design of each of them features the symbolism of the Belarusian state, and many architectural forms dedicated to the Great Victory have appeared.
On the territory of the boarding houses, there are more than 200 recreation areas so that residents can rest while on walks. There are new multifunctional sites that contribute not only to recreation but also to rehabilitation depending on the primary and accompanying diagnoses of a person. Speaking of the equipment of such places, only this year, 367 sets of garden furniture have appeared around these sites. This allows for personal activities at tables surrounded by new chairs, residents can take sun and oxygen baths, and almost all boarding houses have summer cafes of various orientations – art cafes, retro cafes, or musical ones, where everyone can sing karaoke and just relax. A large number of flowers, over 1000 fruit trees and shrubs have been planted.
"Starry"
The Babinichsky social boarding house "Starry" is one of the largest in the region. For the third consecutive year, it has been recognized as the best in the republic. It is designed for 450 people with various mental illnesses. The institution has undergone major repairs, which began in 2019 and coincided with the difficult times of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, thanks to the clear organization of work, all difficulties have been overcome. Now there is cleanliness, beauty, and coziness here. As noted by the director Svetlana Chepik, they have been created by the hands of the staff: flower beds, relaxation and recreation areas, benches. All 240 people form a friendly team capable of tackling any complex tasks.
– Our main goal is to provide quality timely services to residents, to support their health, – noted Svetlana Vladimirovna. – A rehabilitation department for disabled people with psychoneurological diagnoses has been opened at the "Starry". Its services can be used free of charge by both residents of the boarding houses in the region and those who are at home, to give relatives a break. The department conducts procedures such as reflexotherapy, hirudotherapy, SPA, has a mud treatment room, a physiotherapy room, in which all equipment has been replaced with new ones over the past three years, a dental office, a treatment room, and a laboratory. Every year we try to expand the list of services. Rehabilitation programs have been developed for each category of residents.
In addition, labor workshops have been created, and various clubs are operating. There is a sewing workshop, a laser machine.
Each of the 10 floors is decorated differently. Sponsors help: they have purchased machines for clubs, exercise equipment, and other supplies.
"Happy Longevity"
The Orsha social boarding house under this name has its own atmosphere. There are also many flowers, gazebos, areas that are always crowded, workshops… Someone plays the harmonica, someone sings, someone learns the popular technique of weaving from rattan or works in the sewing workshop… The building, like the territory, is kept in exemplary order, the rooms are cozy, there is an excellent dining room and several televisions in the lobbies and corridors – so that everyone can choose a program to their liking. There is a cafe where residents bake pastries themselves and celebrate holidays and birthdays. The boarding house hosts many cultural events, and it is not surprising that against this background, some find their late love. Currently, there are 5 married couples living here.
– "Happy Longevity" is not just the name of the boarding house, but its essence, – emphasizes the director of the institution Natalia Tetenko. – We feel the great care of the state for the elderly. All our residents are fed, clothed, provided with clothing, rehabilitation aids, and medications. Their average age is about 80 years, and they have access to all medical assistance. If necessary, we take them to medical institutions in Vitebsk, or even to Minsk. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has purchased a modern vehicle for us. The regional committee for labor, employment, and social protection provides significant methodological assistance. Thus, we extend life to people, making it more comfortable. I always tell my employees: "This is their home, and therefore we must treat these people as if we came to visit them."
"Territory of Good"
In just a year, the possessions of the Selyutsky social boarding house "Territory of Good" have transformed beyond recognition. Where grass used to grow and puddles adorned the ground after rain, a new multifunctional site with board games has appeared, accommodating all 70 people residing in the round-the-clock care unit at once.
A true highlight is the Chagall art cafe located in the courtyard of the institution. It is especially cozy here in the evening when colorful illumination lights up, and one can enjoy tea in a friendly atmosphere, have heart-to-heart conversations, and spend time with relatives on weekends. There is a Chinese garden with vases: one serves for good, while the other can be used to send away all the negativity and fatigue accumulated throughout the day.
It is evident that creative ideas are overflowing here and contribute to the development of the boarding house.
– All ideas are born in our team, – says director Tatyana Bondar. – We have many young employees who bring fresh ideas not only to leisure organization but also to the therapeutic process. And everything is done by hand. We take pride in the Alley of Victory, the cozy courtyard. We are building a chapel and want to participate in the "Light of Mercy" contest. We are strengthening the material base. We have planted a garden. We have conceived a new project "Agro-Homestead." So there is still much work ahead.