In May 2019, the ARPIDA Centre launched a new project 'Together to Life'. The project supports the efforts to integrate adult users and graduates into a mainstream social environment outside the ARPIDA Centre building and grounds. It is for people who are no longer looking for a job, given the extent of their disability, but want to be useful, want to participate in a normal, natural environment where they can exercise their skills and come into contact with new people. These people are provided with adequate support in self-care by the assistants of the ARPIDA centre.
The 'Together to Life' project won the 2022 Innovation Award of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in the category of Care in Social Services. Currently, 16 users are involved in the project.
Owing to Ing. Petr Kratochvíl CSc., the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (FAT USB) also started cooperation with the ARPIDA Centre in 2021. Two clients of the Centre are currently attending the Faculty Farm as part of the 'Together to Life' project. One of them is Tomáš, who visits the farm once a week.
Tomáš has been helping on the farm of FAT USB since spring 2023 with his assistant Petr Mužík. Here Tomáš focuses on feeding farm animals, walking dogs from the shelter, and plans to work in the University microbrewery. On the farm, he is working with zootechnicians Ing. Adéla Hellebrantová, Dis., and Ing. et Ing. Josef Kučera. He is very interested in agricultural machinery, tractors, mowers, cars and anything with an engine. Tomáš is familiar with the farm environment, he lives in the countryside and is fond of farm animals. He has been working with his current assistant since 2021 and has been using the OA service 'Together to Life' for the fifth year. Tomas needs help with mobility and overcoming barriers (thresholds, gravel, uneven terrain).
We asked Peter and Tomas a few questions about working on the farm.
Petr, when did you start working with Tomáš and how do you perceive your cooperation under the project 'Together into life' on the farm of FAT USB?
'We've been working together since 2021. Before that, a colleague who later went on maternity leave worked with Tom. It was difficult for him to get used to a new assistant, but everything worked out well. At first, we went to the Elva profi garden equipment shop together, then to the Labour Office, but this proved not to be enough, and when the opportunity to go to the FAT USB farm appeared, we gladly accepted it. We are gradually learning how to feed individual animals, how much to give them. Tomas likes rabbits, and he appreciates the new, easily accessible rabbit hutch on the farm.’
Tomáš, how do you like working on the farm and what is your favourite thing to do here?
‘I enjoy my work very much, I like feeding the animals the most. I enjoy the environment and the people here. I like meeting new people.’
Has there been anything new that you have experienced or been able to try?
‘I came to see a gentleman here, to look at tractors. I liked that very much.’
What are your favourite animals here?
‘I like all animals, my favourite thing is to feed rabbits.’
What is the most difficult thing for you on the farm?
‘It's so different. I guess when I'm supposed to reach out to feed the pigs.’
Would you recommend the ‘Together in Life’ project to others to work on the farm of the FAT USB?
‘Yes. Yes, I would. I enjoy it very much.’
Do you remember anything funny or interesting that you experienced here on the farm?
‘One day, the door slammed on me and the lady who was with me, and we were left with the animals in the dark.’
We would like to thank Petr and Tomáš for sharing their story and we wish Tomáš to continue to enjoy his work on the FAT USB farm and that he continues to find it fulfilling.
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