Creating a future together
Social integration means more than just having access to services: whether in Switzerland or other countries, it includes a sense of belonging, self-determination and involvement. Social integration is one of our core objectives. For example, the ‘Digital Old Age’ project run by the Junior Red Cross in Basel.
In Switzerland, more and more people experience some type of exclusion. For example, loneliness in old age, a lack of digital skills, financial difficulties or language barriers.
The 2023 Swiss health survey showed that roughly one-third of the population sometimes feels socially isolated. Studies reveal that integration depends largely on income, education and residential status. Consequently, various vulnerable groups, such as people living in poverty or refugees, are disproportionately affected by social isolation. This is where the SRC comes in.
Making a difference
Our volunteers are a key pillar of this work. Through our voluntary work programmes, we promote social integration both for those volunteering and those receiving help. One good example of this is the ‘Digital Old Age’ project run by the Junior Red Cross in Basel. It brings generations together and uses digital skills as a key to social inclusion.
The project involves two groups: elderly people who learn digital skills, and young volunteers who contribute their time and know-how. The volunteers regularly visit elderly people at home and help them make the most of their smartphones, tablet computers and apps. These ‘tandems’ usually meet up for an hour every two weeks over a period of six months.
What starts off a friendly technical support develops into genuine personal connections. The elderly people are able to gain confidence and independence in their everyday digital lives, while the volunteers see how they make a difference and how they can also develop relationships.
Focused questions
This Junior Red Cross project’s success proves its value: there is such high demand in Basel that there is even a waiting list. However, the project team’s primary concern is not the number of tandems.
Concentrating on the impact, the project team focuses on questions such as: Do these elderly people feel more confident in their everyday digital lives. Are they actively taking part? And do they feel more independent? The purpose is to foster sustainable social inclusion by strengthening relationships, networks and participation.
The Digital Old Age project grants these elderly people greater independence so that they can take a more active part in digital and social life, while volunteers experience a sense of purpose, self-efficacy and connection. And the project also has an impact at a societal level: social cohesion improves when generations learn from one another.
Tools for development
The SRC works with performance indicators that highlight more than just statistics. They help us recognize progress, eliminate stumbling blocks and constantly improve our services. Performance-oriented approaches are not merely a measuring tool, but more of a way for us to develop specific projects and programmes.
SRC areas of activity
