The project is focused on the most isolated population, in the municipality of Mértola, over 65 years of age.
Take action against the isolation of the older population that is isolated and far from the urban areas.
Mitigate feelings of loneliness and social isolation, promoting positive feelings such as trust, self-worth, tranquillity, hope and solidarity.
According to the World Health Organization the number of people over 60 years old will reach 22% in 2050 and will reach 34% in Europe.
In Portugal, the trend towards population aging is even greater, being more pronounced in the interior of the country. The municipality of Mértola (interior of the district of Beja) faces this reality, being mostly constituted by older population, with difficulty of geographical mobility.
These elderly people are no longer able to perform tasks with the same ease as in the past, they have age-related limitations, which leads to isolation, loneliness and depression.
It is therefore imperative to find solutions that increase the well-being of the elderly, that lead to coexistence and contribute to active and healthy aging.
The “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library), created by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mértola, promotes the fight against isolation and encourages the elderly through expressive activities.
The direct beneficiaries of the initiative are 470 isolated elderly people who live in 64 small-villages of the municipality of Mértola.
The “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library) is a project by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mértola, funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for 3 years (2020 to 2022).
The “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library) articulates its activity with other entities, such as the Municipal Library (for the loan of books), parish councils (transport of people to the locations where the workshops operate) and the Home Support Service of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mértola (invigorating the four entertainment poles that the Home Support Service has in the villages of Via Glória, Fernandes, Corte Gafo de Cima and Corte Gafo de Baixo).
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Mértola and the Municipality of Mértola maintain a project that has started in 2007.
This project consists of a mobile service (itinerant van) that serves the elderly population residing in 64 villages throughout the municipality of Mértola.
It provides information, access to reading (lending of books, magazines, newspapers, audiovisuals, etc.), access to new technologies (“Espaço de Informática”), and access to recreational activities and materials in a logic of creation of dynamics that enhance personal and social development and break isolation.
An example of these dynamics was the creation of the “Arte em Movimento” workshops, which allowed a series of creative works to be carried out on the traditional arts from which the exhibition “Bonecas/os de pano – O passado aos olhos do presente” (Cloth dolls – The past in the eyes of the present) was born, which has been exhibited over time in the villages of the municipality.
These workshops take place in 14 villages, in locations provided by parish councils and community institutions (recreational societies, for example), with very small groups (4/5 elements) in their area of residency. There is an authentic “meeting of cultures”, especially when foreign residents in the area get involved in the activities of the workshops.
The “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library) is a project that fights isolation by valuing the experience of each participant. It is an example of an innovative response for the protection, socialization and promotion of the older population, directly involving them, by not simply offering them a service, but making them become a participant. It is also worth noting the articulation of material resources existing in the community.
The project is considered a success. “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library) has a municipal scope, currently offering services and activities to 64 locations in the municipality of Mértola. There are about 470 people covered by the activities of this initiative.
The sustainability of this project has been maintained since 2007, in the first place due to the great adhesion, acceptance, interest and participation of the elderly people who live in the villages of the municipality of Mértola, due to the developed actions being interesting to the participants, helping them to spend their free time and be active, and due to the activities being adapted to each personal competences.
Secondly, the articulation and partnerships with other entities such as the Municipal Library (for the loan of books), parish councils (transport of people to the locations where the workshops operate) and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Home Support Service of Mértola (invigorating the four entertainment centers of the Home Support Service).
Another important point is the financial support obtained, such as the recent 3-year funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
The project has great potential to be replicated or scaled up by other stakeholders in rural areas in low-density territories in Portugal or in another country.
The “Ludoteca Itinerante“ (itinerant toy library) travels daily through the villages of Mértola, with a toy library and other resources for physical and cognitive support for the elderly. This project allows to bring, to the most isolated populations, a series of resources and activities through this itinerant van.
In addition to the toy library, the traveling van provides activities for expression and stimulation of reading, access to new technologies, intergenerational activities, medication supervision, training for the elderly and caregivers and Boccia Sénior.
By traveling hundreds of kilometers daily in a van, the Misericórdia of Mértola brings time and attention to the elderly people who live in solitude.
Emília Colaço: emiliacolaco.scmm (at) gmail.com
Natália Cardeira: ludoteca.scmm (at) gmail.com
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