Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz – Kanton Bern

Team Leader

About SRK-Bern

The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is the largest humanitarian organisation in Switzerland. The SRC Canton of Berne works for more humanity in the canton of Berne, employs over 700 people and relies on the contributions of around 2000 volunteers. Collectively, these individuals are engaged in various areas of service, including care, health promotion, education, and integration.

Our Department of Respite Services is dedicated to providing older people and their caregivers in the canton of Berne with a comprehensive array of high-quality services and consultation. At the same time, we include and value the role of older people as an integral part of the volunteering network.

Below are examples of services provided by our Department of Respite Services:

• SRC home visit and assistance service: Older people who live alone and often feel lonely can ask the Red Cross home visit and assistance service to send a volunteer to have a chat, to drink a cup of tea, to play a game or to go for a walk.
• SRC respite services for family carers: Family caregivers can easily become overwhelmed when caring for an elderly or sick family member. We advise family caregivers and provide them with a break for a few hours by looking after their loved ones while they recharge their batteries.
• SRC living will / advance healthcare directive: A trained staff member advises clients and fills out the living will with them. This ensures that their wishes regarding their health care are respected if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves.

The role of the SRC Canton of Berne in the SP-EU project is that of an associated partner and representative of people in vulnerable situations, namely the group of older adults living alone.