Social exclusion in Georgia
| Research commissioned by the British Red Cross in 2004 revealed that thousands of elderly people in Georgia were struggling in desperate poverty and unable to access state support. | | | 
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| The former Soviet state has suffered a number of economic and political crises, which have affected its pensioners the worst, particularly those without family support.
As a result of the research, the British Red Cross worked with the Georgian Red Cross to set up two social centres. The project helps older people lead independent lives and they are increasingly taking part in mainstream society.
The centres are warm, comfortable places for socialising and engaging in activities such as handicrafts. The project provides services through the centres, and in people’s homes for those who are less mobile, including health check-ups and small home repairs. Older people can also learn about their rights and what services they are entitled to access.
Active participation
Older people have been encouraged to participate in running the centres and are now partners in the operation. More than half of Red Cross volunteers who visit and support the bed-bound in their homes are fit elderly people.
The project has brought the position of this previously forgotten group to the attention of the authorities and wider society. Older people are now working with government departments and non-governmental organisations to further improve their situation.
During the recent crisis in Georgia, older people from the project volunteered to support the humanitarian response by storing relief goods at the social centres, providing information to displaced people and helping them with registration.
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| Location: Kutaisi, western Georgia
Objectives: To reduce social isolation of older people and to improve their access to and the quality of pensions, health care and transport.
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