Davide's experience in Gdańsk

My name is Davide, and I have recently completed my experience with the European Solidarity Corps in Gdańsk, where I dedicated my time to Caritas, an organization that coordinates numerous charitable initiatives to support the most vulnerable members of the local community, including homeless people, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. Caritas also stands out for its strong commitment to supporting the Ukrainian refugee community in Poland.

Most of my eleven months in Gdańsk were spent at Wigor, a center for the elderly located in the heart of the city. My daily walk to the center gave me the chance to stroll every day through the charming streets of Gdańsk’s historic center, also known as the “Pearl of the Baltic.”

Wigor is one of those places where elderly people spend a significant part of their day. My working day started at 9 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m., although I often managed to return home about half an hour earlier. Among my tasks was helping with the preparation and serving of breakfast every day at 9:30 a.m., as well as spending time with the elderly by talking with them or entertaining them through board games. Around 11 a.m., there was a coffee break, followed by activities such as games, handicrafts, or lessons aimed at stimulating the residents’ minds. On several occasions, I used this time to introduce Italian culture or other topics related to my home country. Finally, lunch at 1:30 p.m. was always a moment of joy and sharing with the elderly.

At Wigor, I found a second family that welcomed me warmly from the very first moment—both among the elderly and my colleagues. In addition to my work at Wigor, I had the opportunity to organize and take part in numerous charity events together with my colleagues, including marathons, fairs, and intercultural days. On some occasions, we spent our afternoons teaching English at a monastery that hosts young single mothers. We also frequently visited schools, where we presented children and young people with the many work and study opportunities offered by the European Union, as well as discussing the benefits of volunteering in general.