Civil Society

July 15, 2013

 

Shopping District in Chichibu Promoting Mutual Assistance through 'Volunteer Bank'

Keywords: Civil Society / Local Issues NGO / Citizen Well-Being 

The "Volunteer Bank: Otasuke-Tai ("Support Corps" in English)," which was organized in August 2007 by the Miyanokawa Shopping District Promotion Association in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, has been working to support seniors and people in need of assistance by sending registered volunteers for a fee.

Volunteers who work as members of the Otasuke-Tai make deposits in terms of service hours, just like an ordinary banking system, and "withdraw" it for themselves or for their families at a later time. The deposits can also be withdrawn in the form of local gift certificates, which can be used at stores in Chichibu City, including the Miyanokawa shopping area. Serving as a facilitator, the association is promoting mutual assistance among people in the community.

The Otasuke-Tai provides various services according to clients' request at a charge of 800 yen (about US$8.5) per hour. These services include accompanying clients for a walk or shopping, doing simple yard work, helping with domestic chores such as cleaning, and buying something on behalf of a client. Anyone can apply for the membership of the group at any time, regardless of age, sex and work experience. As core members of the Otasuke-Tai, active seniors are playing a key role in supporting elderly people who need assistance.

Japanese  

 

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