Abstract:

Volunteering is a phenomenon that undoubtedly already has a tradition in the Czech Republic, and which nowadays attracts even more people, across the whole society. The present brings many social events with negative impacts that require a great degree of solidarity together with the need to strengthen the network of interpersonal relationships. More and more people are involved in volunteering in the Czech Republic, including students and employees of universities. This article deals with the volunteering of students and employees of the University of Ostrava for people with specific needs.

The main goal of the research was to map the support and implementation of volunteering by students and employees of the University of Ostrava for people with specific needs. Other research objectives were as follows:
- Find out the professional readiness of volunteers to work with different target groups
- Analyze and describe the importance of practical coordination of volunteers
- Specify methodological recommendations for the work of students and academic staff with different target groups

The research was carried out using an online questionnaire of our own design, which was distributed to students and employees of the University of Ostrava. The questionnaire contained questions regarding motivation for volunteering, experience with volunteering, professional preparation, practical coordination of volunteers and methodological recommendations for working with different target groups.

294 respondents (N=294) took part in the research, of which 198 were students (N1=198) and 96 were employees of the University of Ostrava (N2=96). The research results showed that volunteering is an important form of social participation for students and employees of the University of Ostrava.

The research investigation pointed to the fact that the professional preparation of volunteers for working with different target groups of people with disabilities is insufficient. Volunteers should have the opportunity to receive professional education and training that will enable them to effectively help people with specific needs.

Practical coordination of volunteers is an important factor that affects the quality of volunteer work. Volunteers should be able to get support and guidance from volunteering coordinators. The research also specified methodological recommendations for the work of students and academic staff with different target groups. These recommendations concern, for example, preparation for volunteer work, communication with the target group, conflict resolution and other aspects of volunteer work.

A research study showed that volunteering by students and employees of the University of Ostrava for people with specific needs has a positive impact on both sides. Volunteers gain new experience and help people in need.

Based on the results of the research, it is possible to recommend the following steps for the development of volunteering at the University of Ostrava:
- Provide professional training for volunteers to work with different target groups
- Improve the practical coordination of volunteers
- Implement methodological recommendations for the work of students and academic staff with different target groups

These steps can lead to improving the quality of volunteering at the University of Ostrava and supporting people with specific needs.

Keywords:

Volunteering, student, academic worker, management, support, implementation, strategy, person with disabilities, specific needs.