Contact points and information

Funding for Social Measures – Social Support Guidelines (from 1 January 2023)

• Guidelines of the City of Eberswalde for the award of voluntary municipal grants for measures, initiatives and projects in the social sector – Social Support Guidelines –
• Appendix 1 – Funding Application.pdf
• Statement of Expenditure

→Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board

Mayor says thank you

In Eberswalde, many older people volunteer. To recognise this exceptional and commendable commitment, the mayor honours particularly active individuals at an official ceremony every year. Volunteers are either nominated by friends or relatives, but they can also put themselves forward at the town hall. If you know someone who deserves such an award, please feel free to contact

Tabea Westphal-Radisch, Social Participation, Family and Integration Department

Tel: 03334 64-222, email:email hidden; JavaScript is required

Local Care

Through the Brandenburg State Government’s ‘Local Care’ programme, local authorities and communities have the opportunity to apply for funding for projects aimed at people in need of care. These funds are intended to enable people in need of care to participate in social life and to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Services are also being created for family carers to provide them with advice, support and guidance.

In Eberswalde, five organisations are currently active in various areas:

The ‘Akademie 2. Lebenshälfte’is involved with a programme for people in need of care on the topics of ‘digital support for everyday life’ and ‘advice on using smart devices at home’. As part of this, trained project staff visit people at home and explain, in a familiar setting, how digital everyday aids can help them remain in their own homes for longer. In addition, those in need of care are shown how to use a smartphone, making it easier for them to participate in social life. You can find more informationhere.

TheHoffnungstaler Foundation Lobetaloffers various social activities at the ‘Aufwind’ community centre at Erich-Mühsam-Straße 38 in Eberswalde, such as the storytelling café, games afternoons and information evenings on various topics relating to care and provision. Senior citizens with a care level, as well as their relatives, are invited to attend.

TheKontakt Eberswalde e.V.runs the ‘Silberwald’ community centre in the Brandenburgisches Viertel neighbourhood. There, people requiring care and their family carers can find advice and support. In addition, creative activities such as courses on various topics, outings, games afternoons and exercise sessions provide variety and stimulation in everyday life.

Johannes Oster, a musician and qualified occupational therapist, visits day centres and community centres to encourage people in need of care and those with dementia to sing, move and reminisce through making music together. Senior citizens can also try out musical instruments for themselves.

Rebecca Schwindt, an art therapist, also visits care homes and offers residents access to emotional wellbeing and relaxation through the free use of different colours and materials. At the same time, the exercises help to develop motor skills and create opportunities for self-expression.

The “Pflege vor Ort” programme is funded until 30 June 2027 for the time being.

The Social Affairs Round Table is an association of various organisations running social care facilities in Eberswalde. At the meetings, which take place around four times a year, the current situations at the respective facilities and the resulting needs for action are discussed and reviewed. The city administration acts as moderator, provides the venue and forwards the discussions to the relevant department heads to initiate specific measures to address the identified needs where necessary.One example of this is the ‘Social Services’ leaflet, first published in 2022, which lists the key points of contact for enquiries in the social sector.Interested organisations are warmly welcome to join the round table.

Contact:

Sarah Schmidt, Head of the Department for Generations, Sport and Integration

Tel: 03334 64-222, Email:email hidden; JavaScript is required

The BIWAQ project ‘Growing Together’ is funded by the European Social Fund and aims to offer people who are (long-term) unemployed in the Brandenburg neighbourhood new perspectives on structuring their daily lives and a career reorientation. This is achieved, for example, through the joint planning and construction of a wooden pavilion in the neighbourhood, which can be used by all residents as a meeting place, picnic area or place to relax. In addition, workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions are offered to participants to support them in their career reorientation. Plans also include training to become conflict mediators, as well as courses on the responsible use of digital media.

If you have any queries or are interested in taking part in the project, the staff at Büro Blau and the local council will be happy to assist you.

Contact Büro Blau: Ms Coosemans and Mirjam Oliva, telephone: 0178 5296 835, email:email hidden; JavaScript is required

City Council contact: Ms Westphal-Radisch, telephone: 03334 64 222, email:email hidden; JavaScript is required

With the reform of Book VIII of the Social Code, the issue of complaints in childcare centres has, amongst other things, come to the forefront of the responsibilities of childcare providers. According to this, parents or guardians in particular, but also the children themselves and any third parties affected, should have the opportunity to lodge a complaint both within and outside the centres.

However, sometimes concerns cannot be resolved with the relevant staff at the nursery itself. In such cases, independent points of contact are needed to listen further, sort through the issues and provide support: The City of Eberswalde’s external nursery complaints office can be contacted if a complaint cannot be resolved either within the nursery or by the nursery management. It operates confidentially, systematically and responsibly, always with the child’s best interests in mind.

If you’d like to raise an issue:

The City of Eberswalde’s external nursery complaints office is here to help with any concerns, experiences or observations you may have regarding your child’s care at the nursery: give us a call or drop us a line! You are, of course, also welcome to contact us anonymously by email atemail hidden; JavaScript is requiredor by telephone on 03334-64772.