Analysis of present situation of volunteering in Příbram

This thesis deals with the research on volunteering in Příbram. It is focused on the use of volunteers in health and social areas within comprehensive rehabilitation, i.e. in organizations involved in the care for physically or socially handicapped persons. The objective of the thesis was to survey the use of volunteers in these organizations. The first sub-objective was to determine the potential interest of organizations to make use of volunteers in the future. The second sub-objective was to provide a comprehensive overview on the use of volunteers to the public in Příbram. The third sub-objective was to describe the established volunteer programs - the circumstances of their establishment and the target group of clients who are involved in their activities. In the theoretical section the important terms in the field of volunteering are explained, major organizations that are engaged in volunteer involvement are mentioned and the process of admission into a volunteer organization is described. In the pre-research in the practical part, the survey of organizations operating in Příbram in the health and social field was compiled. In 29 organizations semi-conducted interviews were carried out with their managers in order to determine whether they use volunteers at their activities, also to find out if they would like to take advantage of the volunteers´ potential, and in what specific areas volunteers could participate. The results of the research have shown that currently more than a third of surveyed organizations use volunteers in the health and social field. Most of the surveyed organizations also intend to get involved volunteers in their activities. The thesis also gives information about the history and specifics of the volunteer programs that are run by a professional volunteers´ coordinator in 4 organizations. This thesis provides a source of information on volunteering in the health and social area for professionals as well as for the general public and it may also help to possible applicants for volunteering in Příbram. It also offers new insights to the public on the possible use of volunteers, such as in the Volunteer Center Příbram