Volunteering of Students of Helping Professions in Pandemic Times at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care, CPU in Nitra, Slovakia

Abstract

Volunteering is an essential part of any modern society. In times of crisis, the need for assistance is greater than ever. Solidarity between people during the coronavirus pandemic increases when we come to realise that the consequences of the crisis are directly influenced by our responsibility, togetherness, and willingness to help each other. Students of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra also participated in volunteering activities. Students of health departments performed their activities in faculty hospitals; students of Social Work and Psychology performed their activities in social services facilities, centers for families with children, community centers, hospices, civic associations, and wherever assistance was needed. Students learned how, where, when, and to whom to lend a helping hand in the subject Service Learning. Service Learning is a way of teaching and learning in which theoretical training is linked to the acquisition of practical experience. The added value of service learning is that in addition to one’s own development, it allows helping others in their natural environment through a created activity. Service Learning activities respond to the needs of education (schools), practice (organizations) and selfdevelopment (students).