The social protection service bases its professional activities on the most modern principles, methods, and techniques. An individual approach to each user is essential, irreplaceable, and constantly present in institutions of this type. Although the entire social service activity is focused on studying all the factors that contributed to the user entering the institution, individual work primarily takes into account the structure of their personality.
The goal of all measures and activities undertaken during the implementation of individual social work is to restore the previously disrupted balance of the user, which occurred due to the influence of various causes. To the extent possible, the task of the treatment is to change attitudes towards oneself, relatives, workers, and other users. The treatment involves a team approach, evaluation, and assessment of the changes achieved. Individual interventions with users consist of counseling work, daily contact with users, and providing necessary support, with particular emphasis on newly admitted users to help them overcome difficulties caused by the change in environment. Additionally, there is increasing emphasis on the personal involvement of users in developing individual treatment plans. In this regard, some employees underwent several training sessions on the topic of personal planning from 2015 to 2017. At the beginning of 2017, the "Personal Planning" program, created by the institution's professional staff, was accredited.
Another important principle of professional work is social group work. This type of work aims to improve communication, better understand and control emotions, and encourage self-confidence and self-respect. Group work is regularly conducted with all users, especially those who have just entered the institution and have difficulty establishing contact with others. In such cases, social workers categorize newly arrived users or recategorize those who have been in the institution for some time. The process always starts with an established diagnosis, and based on that and expert assessment, the most appropriate working methods and treatments are selected. All users are regularly monitored, as well as the effectiveness of the treatments, all to ensure their better integration into the institutional community.
Since 2003, therapeutic communities have been organized weekly in all three departments, with mandatory attendance of all staff members. Their primary task is to establish continuous communication between staff and users to solve their problems. The topics of these therapeutic communities are generally agreed upon in advance, but issues and problems that have arisen during the previous period, related to daily life in the institution, are also discussed.
There is ongoing work to establish and maintain contact between users and their relatives or friends. The frequency of such communication is of great importance, as it provides the possibility of social support and thus alleviates or eliminates feelings of abandonment.
Occupational therapy is another form of work that contributes to the resocialization and rehabilitation of users in such an institution. It involves various activities that enrich daily life and give it meaning. Occupational therapy is organized to engage the users' existing abilities and knowledge through work and encourage their active participation in institutional life. This helps prevent or slow down their further mental and physical deterioration. Its activities and techniques awaken attention, improve mood, strengthen independence, voluntary activity, and perseverance in work, develop work habits, and contribute to social contacts when working in large groups. All occupational therapy activities are planned daily, monthly, and annually.
This activity dates back to the establishment of the institution when an elementary form of occupational therapy was implemented. It consisted of mechanical and directed techniques, in which users were engaged as helpers for certain services. This form of therapy was also applied, among other things, due to the relatively small number of staff.
In the 1970s, occupational therapy began, which was the precursor to what is now organized. At that time, groups of users were formed, who, in addition to previous forms of occupational therapy, were engaged in making handicrafts. These included traditional crafts such as knitting, embroidery, crocheting, and making tapestries and gobelins. Upon completion, users would use these products for personal purposes. Work therapy was conducted in users' rooms and dining halls. The activities of the then work therapy were designed and led by Dušanka Dokić, a defectologist. She continued this work until the late 1980s when she transitioned to the role of a social worker.
It should be noted that even at that time, within the framework of occupational therapy, pigs were raised, and to a lesser extent, fruit growing and agricultural production (potatoes, onions, clover, corn) were practiced. According to Ljiljana Panić, the field was located in the Ljutovo area. It was accessed by a cart pulled by a donkey named Maksim.
Starting from 1991, a single occupational therapist began working in each department of our institution. In the first department, this role was performed by nurse Ljiljana Dekanić; in the second department, by Dragoslava Lazić, also a nurse; and in the third department, by Margita Lisičin, a senior occupational therapist. For their work, they had access to more suitable spaces for occupational therapy, according to the spatial possibilities of the time. However, in some segments, it still took place in rooms and dining areas.
From the following year, the number of occupational therapists gradually increased. Thus, in the second department, Blaženka Manovski (1992), Zorislava Vojnov (1993), and Mirjana Stanković (1996) began working. In 1996, Dragoslava Lazić moved to the first department, and in 2011, after Margita Lisičin retired, she moved to the third department. In the first department, from 2012, Ivana Vujackov worked as a therapist, and alongside her, after Ljiljana Dekanić's retirement in 2013, occupational therapist Dijana Lalić joined. Dijana, who was a nurse, was trained as an occupational therapist at the Higher Medical School. Jelena Nešić took over these duties in the first department in 2016. To improve the quality of work with the users of the second department, in 2018, occupational therapists Slađana Tarailo, a graduate defectologist-oligophrenologist, Nikola Velisavlјev, a physical education teacher, and Nikola Stančić, a senior physiotherapist, were employed.
Alongside other specialists, an occupational therapist is present when each user is admitted to the institution. During the initial encounter, a triage and assessment of the user's needs and desires are conducted. During the adaptation period, intensive work is done to help them adjust to life in the home. An individual plan is created according to their needs. Attention is paid to verbal and non-verbal communication skills, remaining cognitive functions, attitudes, moods, and efforts are made to gain insight into the history of the user's activities and interests, which is also a potential for further planning of the occupational therapy process. The most important factor for engagement in workshops is the user's desire to engage in a particular activity in one of the workshops, according to their abilities.
Depending on the users' knowledge and interests, they are engaged in well-organized workshops: pottery, carpentry, tailoring, and creative (puppet-making).
The pottery workshop has been part of the institution since 2006. It was opened as part of a joint project with OŠ "Josif Marinković" for training and occupational therapy for residents, as well as for school children with intellectual disabilities. The cooperation continued even after the project ended and continues to this day. Over time, from a small workshop of modest dimensions, through expansion and renovation in 2015, the pottery workshop, along with the carpentry workshop, has become a space that meets all conditions for quality work with users. It has become, as they say, a "corner of peace and positive vibrations," as working with clay calms them in moments of discomfort or agitation. Under the supervision of occupational instructor Dragoslav Ivančev (since 2005), interested users acquire basic knowledge and skills of this beautiful old craft and have the opportunity to express their personal creativity through the creation of various clay items, from the simplest to the most admirable sculptures. In a relaxed atmosphere, with storytelling and music, everyone can express their imagination or spend quality time making various items. The workshop is well-equipped for making very high-quality ceramic products, including glazed items. Various pots, planters, jars, garden decorations, wall clocks, sculptures, ashtrays, mugs, bowls, and many other decorative items created in this way adorn the "Saint Vasilije Ostroški Miracle Worker" institution and the interiors of other related institutions. Additionally, some products are sold at ethnic bazaars or displayed as exhibits at exhibitions.
The carpentry workshop began operating in 2006, after funds were secured the previous years under the "Working Towards Independence" project for the conversion of space into carpentry and pottery workshops and for the purchase of equipment. It was run by Atila Mesaroš, a carpenter and occupational instructor employed since 2005. In the past, it was not intended for therapeutic work with users but only for repairing and maintaining the furniture and carpentry of the home. These tasks were performed by master Feješ Mihalј until his retirement, using basic carpentry tools. Thanks to the project funds, in 2006, the workshop was equipped with modern tools and machines, and since 2015, it has been located in a new, larger, and more comfortable facility. Improved working conditions also contributed to an increase in the number of users interested in this type of work.
Within this workshop, users who exhibit an interest in working with wood are engaged in tasks such as sanding, sawing, gluing, drilling, and painting materials. The carpentry workshop produces a wide range of raw materials, which are then further decorated during occupational therapy. Finished items are used by the users to decorate living spaces, given to other institutions and collaborators, or sold at ethnographic bazaars.
The sewing workshop started operating in 2005 when the Ministry approved new positions for work instructors. It was initially established in a small room with two old machines that were used in the laundry. In the past, sewing and mending were done in all three sections of the laundry by laundry workers. The space for this workshop was later expanded and renovated with the purchase of new machines, currently numbering three.
The sewing workshop has been running for 15 years, under the supervision of work instructor Jadranka Balaban. The primary goal of this workshop is to bring together users who enjoy and wish to do this work according to their abilities. Often, these are individuals who have previously done similar work before coming to the Home. Activities are diverse, and various groups are formed based on the type of work. There is a group that only cuts fabric, another that sews on machines, and a third that attaches buttons, inserts elastic, etc. Under the watchful eye of the instructor, users hem bed linens, tablecloths, sew aprons, kitchen gloves, alter clothes, sew buttons, make bags, dolls, and more. All this takes place in a positive atmosphere with music, conversation, and socializing. The items are used for personal use but are also given as gifts.
The creative workshop - puppet making, known as the puppet workshop in the Institution, started operating in 2012 and represents the newest form of work occupation for users in the Institution. The main purpose of this activity is to create hand puppets and stage sets for performances, but users also make smaller decorative items. The puppets are made from sponges, fabric, and wool. Since this is a relatively new activity, it is interesting to users, and their interest in participating is high. By entering the fairy-tale world of play in this way, they develop various social skills while expressing their creativity. The workshop is run by occupational therapists.
In addition to working within the workshops, users can also realize their desires, talents, and interests through various sections.
The Home has literary, artistic, musical with a choir, dance, and drama sections, as well as photography and chess sections, a section for creating wall newspapers, handicrafts, religious education, and sound therapy. Section activities take place in spacious and comfortable rooms, equipped with all necessary means for uninterrupted activity. Each department, within occupational therapy, is equipped with various audiovisual aids, didactic materials, tools, and equipment.
Members of the literary section are engaged in writing poetry and prose, as well as reading their work to other users. The most successful works of the section members are published in the Home's magazine "Gleam in the Eye," and recently, they also participate in competitions in this field.
The music section is attended by users who enjoy playing and singing. They are also members of the Home choir. They regularly perform at various events celebrating national and religious holidays and Home celebrations.
In the artistic section, members have the opportunity to draw and paint using various techniques (markers, colored pencils, tempera). Their works decorate and beautify all areas of the institution, are exhibited at many exhibitions, and published in the Home magazine. Recently, they can also be found at sales exhibitions. The institution has organized exhibitions of user works several times. For example, in 2004, the Cultural Center hosted an exhibition of the user, academic painter Gordana Šijan, and in 2018, the National Library held a sales exhibition of paintings by four users.
In the dance section, various choreographies are practiced to music chosen by the users. This program is then presented at events organized in the Institution.
The drama section prepares and presents puppet shows, sketches, and excerpts from humorous works.
Members of the photography section use their cameras to capture the most interesting moments of daily life, both in nature and within the Home itself. Their photographs are published in the Home magazine and are also used in many photography competitions.
The chess section has been active for many years. Under the expert guidance of the best chess player, Danilo Borković, they meet once or twice a week to practice this noble game. The success of the section is assessed through tournaments where members achieve impressive results.
The primary activity of the "wall newspapers" section is to cut interesting texts and photographs from newspapers and magazines and present them as wall newspapers. Their purpose is to mark holidays and other significant events, as well as to inform the residents of the Home.
The handicrafts section allows users to express their creativity through embroidery, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and sewing. In addition, they create decoupage and weave baskets. Their works are exhibited at exhibitions and ethnographic bazaars.
A special chapter in this section is religious education. In this section, users, with the help of a religious instructor, nurture folk customs and deepen their knowledge of Christianity. For over ten years, the religious instructor in the Home has been Marko Strahinja Galetin. With his arrival and the assistance of occupational therapists, religious education classes began. As in other forms of occupational therapy, great attention is paid to the psychological and physical state of users, their background, abilities, and interests. Members of this section show the greatest curiosity about universal human stories from the Holy Scriptures and the life of Jesus Christ. Over time, spiritual songs have also been included, as a balm for the soul, and topics related to saints and religious holidays.
Religious education includes trips to church, and occasionally, baptisms are held in the Home. For users who cannot visit the local Church of St. George, a priest's visit is arranged. He can hear confessions, administer communion, or say a prayer for health. In the second department, there is a consecrated small church - chapel, where believers can quietly pray and light a candle.
Although preparations for this type of work-occupational therapy date back earlier, the implementation of a new project titled "Sound Therapy" began in the Home at the beginning of 2017. The impetus for launching it came from the work therapists' observation that there was a greater number of users who, due to various life circumstances, had lost contact with other people and withdrawn into themselves.
After brief exposure to various types of music, from classical to popular, as well as various other sounds, and under the constant guidance of the instructor, users expressed their feelings and impressions triggered by the sounds they heard. The mode of expression could be drawing, singing, written sentences, movement and dance, or simply spoken expressions accompanied by emotion, often tears or laughter, as well as various combinations of expression. It was surprising to discover the previously hidden wealth of users' inner states, "which would have remained lost somewhere in the soul without sound therapy." Sound therapy "opened a channel, broke down barriers... users who had never wanted to talk about their lives or themselves opened up." As with other sections, the works created during sound therapy are exhibited on various occasions, including the Novi Sad event "Rely on Me Now." This project is implemented by work therapist Dijana Lalić.
Working in the greenhouse is another form of work-occupational therapy, under the vigilant eye of work instructor Mileta Baštovanov. It began with the construction of the first greenhouse on Aračka Street in 2015. In the 240 m² area, tomatoes were planted as the first crop. That year, another greenhouse of the same size was built. A fruit orchard with apples was also planted on Čika Ljubina Street. A third greenhouse of 172 m² was erected, in which eggplants and peppers were produced. Over time, the number of crops produced in their own arrangement increased. In the greenhouse, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants are grown, and on the open area around the greenhouse and between fruit trees, zucchinis, onions, peppers, etc., are planted. During winter, lettuce is planted in all greenhouses. These products are delivered to the home kitchen a day before the vegetables are on the table. The use of chemical agents is minimized, so all products are completely safe for human consumption. For the needs of working in the greenhouse, a motor cultivator with a trailer was purchased at the beginning of 2017.
Users also participate in all greenhouse tasks, proportionate to their abilities and interests, and can proudly say, "This is our tomato, our pepper."
Through recreational activities, users engage in various sports and recreational contents (darts and chess), including morning gymnastics. This also includes day trips, walks along the Tisa River quay, and similar activities.
However, the most diverse activities of this type are offered by the Hall for Special Purposes, i.e., the Sports Hall, as part of the home "Saint Vasilije Ostroški the Miracle Worker." It was created as an expression of the desires and needs of the users, which was also recognized by the institution's staff. The first steps in this direction were taken back in 1998, when recreational activities were led by work therapist Manjika Lisičin, in a small space on the third department. In 2015, the construction of a larger and more suitable hall for the sports and recreational activities of users began. The hall was ceremonially opened in April 2016.
Today, the hall has three professional treadmills, as many bicycles and trainers, two gladiators, leg machines, jump ropes, fitness balls, ripstole, weights, and many other small accessories. Users in accommodation exercise under the supervision and support of Nikola Velisavljević and members of the Pensioners' Club led by Vesna Banjac. The program consists of exercises for fitness and coordination, corrective gymnastics, and various games. It also includes fitness as part of work-occupational therapy, table tennis, badminton, and folklore. The hall is also open to the Home staff and the public. The youngest practice corrective gymnastics and folklore, while others engage in yoga, Pilates, and gym workouts... The Sports Hall is also a place for socializing with users from similar institutions. On such occasions, they compete in various disciplines.
The general conclusion is that the condition of users who regularly exercised visibly improved, both physically and psychologically.
At the "Saint Vasilije Ostroški the Miracle Worker" institution, cultural and entertainment activities are also very prominent, aimed at improving the quality of life of users. These often include: birthday celebrations, marking national and religious holidays, visits to theaters and cinemas, visits to exhibitions and other cultural events, organizing excursions and trips, visits to religious sites. There are also social gatherings with entertaining content, such as dance competitions, singing, and literary creation, as well as literary evenings and film screenings on a video projector. The home library is also available to users every day.
By participating in various competitions, users have achieved impressive results. Some of these include awards for the most beautiful Easter egg, the most beautiful Christmas tree, awards received at the ethnic table, and at the music creation festival, etc. Additionally, works created during occupational therapy are sold throughout the year at the ethnic bazaar, as part of the Velikogospojinski Days, as well as at the Christmas and Easter bazaars.
User and staff gatherings from related institutions are also organized. These events facilitate the exchange of experiences and promotion of new ideas and other forms of creativity.
Large exhibitions of handmade works have been held several times at the Novi Bečej Cultural Center. The first such exhibition, held in 1980 to celebrate March 8th, was opened by the famous actress Branka Veselinović.
For users who do not have a propensity for section work and workshops, the Center provides the opportunity to spend time productively in spacious lounges, where they can socialize, watch TV programs, listen to music, and play board games.
Since 2003, the Center has also had its own magazine, "Shine in the Eye." It is published quarterly and exists in both printed and electronic formats. The topics covered are related to the daily life of the users and events at the Center. Most of the published content is poetry written by users, along with other interesting content and photographs.
One of the most common forms of work-occupational therapy is daily employment of users in the dining room and kitchen—setting up and distributing meals, clearing tables, washing and cleaning the dining room; in the laundry—collecting laundry and bedding, taking them for washing, sorting and preparing clean laundry for ironing; assisting with procurement for users who cannot shop or make coffee, juice, etc.; maintaining the yard and street area, indoor and garden plants, the garden, living fences, harvesting medicinal herbs, and more. Users are also engaged in porter duties. They are motivated by receiving a work allowance based on the activity price list.
And last but not least, daily and mandatory personal hygiene maintenance (washing, brushing teeth, bathing, dressing) is also important.
A significant portion of plans is gradually realized through project activities.
The institution has actively participated in donation competitions, both from domestic and foreign donors. The relevant ministry and the Provincial Secretariat for Social Policy, Demography, and Gender Equality have regularly recognized good ideas and supported them with their funds.
The first project, "Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Users with Psychiatric Disorders," was completed in 2003. Funded by the Kingdom of Norway, the project attempted to integrate users back into their natural environment and family. In the same year, the project "Affirmation of Non-Institutional Protection for Pensioners without Family Care" was accepted.
In the following years, projects have been implemented annually, some of which include: "Work towards Independence" (2006) in cooperation with the "Banat" Paraplegic Association from Zrenjanin; "My Little Home" (2007), aimed at building a residential unit in the second department and preparing users for independent self-care; "Home Care and Assistance - So You Don't Feel Helpless," in Novi Bečej, which was successfully continued in later years; "Sunny Autumn of Life," within non-institutional protection at the Pensioners' Club; "Public Works - People with Disabilities," supported by the National Employment Service; "Improving the Quality of Life for Users in the Home by Creating Spaces for Daily Living and Occupational Therapy."
Together with other institutions for the accommodation of users with intellectual and mental difficulties in the Republic of Serbia, the project "Improving the Position of Users in Residential Institutions with Intellectual and Mental Difficulties through Creating Conditions for Their Inclusion in Society and the Local Community" began in September 2012. The project was funded by the European Union, aiming at deinstitutionalization, i.e., getting users out of institutions. As part of the preparations for entering the project, management and professional staff participated in numerous seminars and training sessions in the Czech Republic and Italy, where they also gained practical insights into this process.
The project officially started in 2014, when the institution successfully applied with the project "Independent Living in the Community for People with Mental Difficulties and Mental Illnesses in the Novi Bečej Municipality," within the "Open Arms" program. This project lasted two years. After signing a new contract with the European Union Delegation in 2017, the institution began implementing a second project also supported by IPA funds, "Improving the Capacity of Local Supportive Housing Services in Novi Bečej," which will last two years, within the program "Development of Efficient Community Services in the Field of Education and Social Protection at the Local Level," essentially a continuation of the 2014 project. The project planned to expand the "Supported Housing" service.
In addition to the mentioned projects, it should be noted that the institution is a user of public works. In this way, it employs unemployed people for four months, usually people with disabilities. They are engaged in tasks that contribute to the quality of life for users, such as work as masseurs, hairdressers, florists, carpenters, landscape architects...
In recent years, project manager Cecilija Šajber has significantly contributed to the project activities through her active participation and expertise.
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