On May 25, the “Sources of Compassion” project hosted a seminar for volunteers involved in one of the Republican Volunteer Center’s key initiatives — “Support”, which aims to provide consistent, heartfelt communication and care for elderly individuals. Both newcomers and experienced volunteers took part in the meeting. The seminar became a space for finding inspiration and inner resources, where participants openly discussed the successes and challenges of regularly monitoring and accompanying elderly beneficiaries.

Special attention was given to a core element of the project: effective communication with the elderly. Psychologist Lyudmila Pikus, a seasoned specialist, shared insights into age-related psychological traits, common communication barriers, and strategies to overcome them. She also emphasized the importance of building trust and maintaining respectful interaction. Volunteers listened attentively and actively engaged in case study discussions. A dedicated segment of the seminar focused on emotional burnout—how to recognize early signs, maintain balance, and practice self-care.

Former volunteer center coordinator and one of the project’s first participants, Adel Beschetnikova, spoke about her personal experiences in accompaniment. She shared the stories that left the strongest impressions on her and helped participants gain a new perspective on their own volunteer work. Adel highlighted that by helping others, we often find support ourselves and discover new meaning. This part of the seminar was especially heartfelt and inspiring for attendees.

At the end of the session, each participant received a curated collection of helpful resources—books, articles, and films—to provide answers to common questions and encourage reflection. To beautifully conclude the event, participants crafted aromatic sachets—besamim—filled with fragrant herbs. These sachets were later gifted to elderly Hesed beneficiaries as a gesture of care and support.

We thank the organizers and all participants of the seminar! We believe that working in the Support initiative is a meaningful but challenging task—one that requires continuous personal growth and development across many areas!