HELPIFIC NEWSLETTER | JUNE 2017
3:10:00 PM
HELPIFIC SUMMER NEWS & ACTIVITIES
Helpific is a web-based support environment that brings innovative, digital solutions to the social field. Active communities can involve citizens through Helpific to help with transportation needs, household chores or activities outside of household.
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| Tom Rüütel - Helpific co-founder who dreams about an independent life and becoming an astronaut. Tom (Awesome Dude): "We have taken off - give us an extra push!" |
HELPIFIC NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2017
4:07:00 PM
HELPIFIC SPRING NEWS & ACTIVITIES
Helpific is a web-based support environment that brings innovative, digital solutions to the social field. Active communities can involve citizens through Helpific to help with transportation needs, household chores or activities outside of household.
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| Photo: Riikka Nieminen, Positiivse Suhtumise Arendamine |
Helpific Newsletter | March 2016
12:16:00 PM
Welcome to everyone interested in Helpific web-platform!
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
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| Helpific co-founder Annika Amenberg at TEDxToompea |
Helpific is successful in business model
Support platform Helpific started to test a business model. In January, a test period called Project30 started, during which people in need and their helpers, who made a monetary deal, formed 30 pairs. The results showed that on one hand, there is a number of people with special needs who wish to use paid services and on the other hand there are people who would like to offer them. Since Project30 appeared to be very successful, it was decided to continue with testing the paid services to be able to gain even more valuable feedback and information about client needs. Currently the chosen result indicators are measured weekly and the goal is to increase them every month by at least 20 percent. Everyone who wishes to subscribe or offer paid personal assistance service, please write to Helpific’s information mailbox info@helpific.com.
Social
welfare system to Estonia's success story!
On November 13th in the conference room of the Parliament of Estonia, TEDxToompea was held, with a subtitle “Breaking taboos!“. The inspiration conference was dedicated to overcoming the bottlenecks preventing the development of Estonian society. Helpific was represented by co-founder Annika Amenberg, whose ambition is to change the Estonian welfare system into a global success story – this precisely through Helpific. As a volunteer, she sees how difficult life is for many people with special needs, because ineffectively used benefits do not ensure a sufficiently dignified life. On the contrary to the situation in the social welfare system, startup-ecosystem is developing rapidly in Estonia. According to Annika, the unification of the two would contribute to solving social problems.
The sea of helping hands
On January 28th, Helpific organized a free information day in Swedbank building, the purpose of which was to introduce Helpific as a volunteer as well as a paid assistance platform, and about its future projects. People were told how to simply and flexibly be a personal helper to people with special needs – both as a volunteer and for a payment. People with special needs and their helpers shared their personal experience gained through Helpific. In discussions at the information day, it also appeared that most people offering help can help once or twice a week. Helpers said that they can mostly help in everyday activities like shopping, cleaning, and transportation but also repair works when needed. According to the people with moving difficulties, the hardest task is getting up and down the stairs.
The tour is over but life without borders continuses!
Support platform Helpific’s information tour "Life without borders" is over! Within the tour, six events were held in four towns – Paide, Haapsalu, Tallinn, and Tartu. Helpific met with representatives of employers, public sector and third sector, and organizations of people with disabilities. It was discussed how people with special needs could more successfully participate in the labour market and how dominant stigmas are affecting the promoting of employment capability, why it is rewarding to popularize volunteer activities, how modern information and communication technology favours social entrepreneurship and how to involve communities in carrying out the desired changes. For example, British Ambassador to Estonia, Chris Holtby, and Estonian Minister of Social Protection, Margus Tsahkna, were involved in discussions. Summaries can be read in the blog.
Notice
the gift, not the imperfections!
Finnish Arcada University and Tallinn University are carrying out a joint project "Developing positive attitude – success to youngsters with mental health problems in integrating to labour market". Tallinn University has also involved two major partners from Estonia: Tallinn Mental Health Center and Helpific. The purpose of the project is to change the attitude towards mental health problems, to promote social involvement, and to promote the employment of youngsters with mental health problems. In 2016-2017, Helpific will within the project, is having a media campaign "Notice
the gift, not the imperfections!".
Promoting voluntary activities among jobseekers
Since the beginning of the year 2016, Helpific, the support environment for people with special needs, is a partner with the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund offering opportunities for volunteer work to jobseekers. Volunteer work promotes finding work: it helps to prepare for work life, gives new experience, knowledge and skills, and helps to create or sustain a working habit. For the unemployed who have registered in the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, get a stipendium and transport allowance. Helpific offers versatile possibilities for self-improvement, but primarily the possibility to be a part of everyday work of a developing social enterprise and hearty and supporting colleagues. To find out your opportunities, please get in touch with us. Contacts are on Helpific’s web-page.
© Helpific
© Helpific
| Honorable interested parties of Helpific webplatform, we collect donations for webplatform future developments. You can make a contribution in form of donation to the NGO Helpific. HELPIFIC NGO* Registration code: 80380146 Bank account No EE102200221061303677 SWIFT kood/BIC: HABAEE2X SWEDBANK Explanation: Donation, webplatform * Helpific is not included in the list of non-profit associations, foundations and religious associations benefiting from income tax incentives. |
Helpific Newsletter | December 2015
4:56:00 PM
Dear members of Helpific platform!
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
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| Chivas The Venture five local finalists: from left Tauri Kärson (Autolevi), Tõnis Kusmin (Tebo), Tarmo Pihl (Sentab), Annika Amenberg (Helpific) and Marko Kiisa (Upmade) |
Successful in Chivas and Ajujaht competition
Chivas has this year a 1 million dollar fund to empower extraordinary start-ups that use business to create positive change and a missioon to inspire enterpreneurial thinkers to transform the world. Many start-ups took their chance and sent in applications. Each application was reviewed and the very best from each of the participating countries was selected to take part in local finals. Helpific came fantastically to the local top 5, but didnt make it to the finals. Sentab, which offers seniors a social network on a TV, won the round - best wishes and luck to them!
Helpific has reached in Ajujaht ideas competition among the top 30 and is preparing to participate in the next round. Ajujaht is the largest competition in Estonia for business ideas. Competition's ninth season participants candidate for 60,000 euros prize pool, the winner takes at least 30,000 euros. Selecting top 7 for the television show will take place in Tallinn at the end of January. Ajujaht is implemented by Enterprise Estonia.
Knitting a network!
Helpific belongs from mid-November to a Voluntary Network. The network brings together effective voluntary activity promoting associations that collectively have a part in the shaping of policies related to volunteering, sharing opportunities and responsibilities in the field of development. They are consistent partners of coordinating authorities and the Interior Ministry. Helpific also participates in the project "Volunteer engagers knit network", which will be completed with the joint activity agreement and establishing ties with the European Volunteer Centre.
Jointweek in Vikerraadio
Helpific co-founder Annika Amenberg, who has been a long-serving volunteer in Estonian Union of Persons with Mobility Impairment, gave an interview in Vikerraadio in connection of the Jointweek. Annika told in a radio broadcast that volunteering means to Estonians usually giving something back to society and obtaining the good feeling - people have an innate need to do something good. By helping somebody you get back a lot more. It is very easy to do it in Helpific. Volunteers are happy using the platform and those who need help are very satisfied.
We value diversity policies
On the December of 11th, the fifth signing of the Diversity Agreement took place. Agreement was signed by the Helpific co-founder and the head of customer relations Triin Üksvärav. Helpific confirmed with joining that appreciates the principles of diversity among our employees and customers and treats them equally. Along with other affiliated organizations formed a community together to share experiences and to promote the equal treatment in its own organization and in society at large. This year's entrants are Adcash, the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, the Ministry of Culture, SEB Bank, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Theare NO99 and TransferWise. Estonian Diversity Agreement now unites 68 diversity and equal treatment respecting organizations and businesses.
Internationalization in Helpific way
Helpific web platform and supportive environment for people with special needs has evolved gradually, becoming more international. It is all thanks to the cooperation with the students of the University of Tallinn, assisted by Zsolt Bugarszki - the head of Helpific International. The platform has today a choice of ten different languages - English, Estonian, Finnish, Italian, Hungarian, German, Russian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. 400 Helpific user border is going to be crossed in December alone - nearly 200 people joined this month. Also beside the growing size of users, the number of offers and wishes has increased.
The first anniversary was celebrated with businesslike and good feeling
Helpific had their first birthday as a little appreciation event for all supporters and friends. UK’s accelerator Dot Forge representative and the investor Mr Colin Tan was invited to the party with the help of British Embassy in Estonia, discussing with guests how the social enterprise can operate successfully. He is the co-founder of the real estate portal Rentlord, being successful in accelerators, such as Seedcamp and 500 Startups, and a finalist of TechCrunch Disrupt startup competition. Helpific birthday guests gave spice to the party - they had the opportunity to embody super heroes.
Helpific is testing a business model
Helpific will test an option to the people with disabilities who can hire a personal assistant. In this regard, we call in all those who need to have a personal assistant and those who want to earn extra money while helping others. Please write tugi@helpific.com and let us know about yourself - we will contact all interested ones!
Helpific wishes everybody Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Glow all your days in new year and all wishes and help wishes be fulfilled!
@ Helpific
| Honorable interested parties of Helpific webplatform, we collect donations for webplatform future developments. You can make a contribution in form of donation to the NGO Helpific. HELPIFIC NGO* Registration code: 80380146 Bank account No EE102200221061303677 SWIFT kood/BIC: HABAEE2X SWEDBANK Explanation: Donation, webplatform * Helpific is not included in the list of non-profit associations, foundations and religious associations benefiting from income tax incentives. |
Helpific newsletter | November 2015
5:37:00 PM
Dear members of Helpific platform!
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
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| On the photo is Helpific team at the conference "Beyond Borders" with executive vice president of JCI World Steven Wilson, president of JCI Estonia Kaspar Ilves and board member of JCI Tallinn Kerttu Sarapuu |
Platform, which connects
people with disabilities and volunteers who are ready to help them, is now
opened. All the people who need help and those who offer help are welcome to
register and place notices. Helpific hopes to get feedback and suggestions from
users in order to develop platform further.
Breaking borders
Helpific participated in
the conference "Beyond Borders" arranged by Junior Chamber
International Estonia in August to surmount borders personally, technologically
and culturally. Collaboration resulted in artistic formed campaign to encourage
all the members of community to recognise people with disabilities as
individuals who are no different from fellow citizens and raise awareness of
those who are not volunteers yet. Heroes of the installation "Life Without Borders" are six people with disabilities who need assistance every day.
In spite of disability, they all are very positive and strong personalities
with different interests and knowledge. As a volunteer, you can help them to
live their life fully, without borders.
Innovation and social inclusion
Helpific met on its info
tour in Haapsalu, Tallinn and Tartu in August, September and October with
employers, public sector institutions, disabled people’s organisation
representatives and people who are interested in Helpific platform. It was
discussed, how modern information and communication technology and social
entrepreneurship can help people with disabilities to participate in labour
market, break stigmatic attitude in society, popularize voluntary activity in
local communities and promote business environment. There were workshops,
opportunity to put your skills and abilities to the test at interactive area
and installation "Life Without Borders" was presented.
Promoting communication and cultural
accessibility
Gala for supporters of
Estonian Association of the Deaf took place on September 23rd. The day was
devoted to those who have contributed the activity of Estonian deaf community.
There were different performances and many letters of thanks and rewards were
handed out. Helpific was acknowledged with letter of thanks on promoting communication
and cultural accessibility outstandingly. It was given by Tiit Papp, executive
director of Estonian Association of the Deaf.
© Helpific
| Honorable interested parties of Helpific webplatform, we collect donations for webplatform future developments. You can make a contribution in form of donation to the NGO Helpific. HELPIFIC NGO* Registration code: 80380146 Bank account No EE102200221061303677 SWIFT kood/BIC: HABAEE2X SWEDBANK Explanation: Donation, webplatform * Helpific is not included in the list of non-profit associations, foundations and religious associations benefiting from income tax incentives. |
Helpific newsletter | August 2015
3:43:00 PM
Dear members of Helpific platform!
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
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| Team meeting in outdoor cafe. From left Marlen, Annika, Zsolt, Triin and Keiu |
Can social entrepreneurship be successful?
Helpific will participate at The Festival of Opinion Culture 14.-15.08.2015. Festival of Opinion Culture is a meeting place for interesting thoughts, new ideas and new initiatives; a place that will boost people’s courage and self-esteem and make them ask themselves “what can i do?”.
Life without borders? Yes!
On 20-23 August Nordic Inspiration Conference 2015 "Beyond borders" will give you a chance to be part of the lives of people who have overcome their human boundaries. Nordic Inspiration Conference 2015 is organized by Junior Chamber International Estonia in association with other JCI Nordic group chambers. Junior Chamber International CO with Helpific is promoting boundless goodwill and Helpific will set up an interactive “Testing your senses” area where all conference visitors can try the almost impossible challenges people with special needs are facing daily. There will also be a special project during the conference where installations are placed into city area. The goal of installations is to carry out a campaign to break the prejudices prevailing in society about people with special needs and to expand the awareness of potential volunteers, who today still do not act as a volunteer. The area and installations will be there on Friday, 21st of August from 9am to 5pm.
Visitors and Helpific platform enthusiasts can make their contribution into developing the Helpific platform mechanism that allows to exchange messages inside the platform. The estimated cost of the IT development is 5000 euros.
The White Lady, The Street Festival and Student days
Helpific starts with an informative tour in August that will present the idea of how information technology can help disabled people. Within the tour human resources (HR) persons will meet with disabled people organization’s representers and with Helpific platform enthusiasts, discussions and seminars will be held and people can test their senses in the interactive area.Helpific tour will go to White Lady Festival on 28th of August in Haapsalu, Tallinn Street Festival on 5th and 6th of September and Tartu Autumn Days on 16th of October. Helpific believes that by connecting social thinking and innovation is possible to contribute into improving the attitudes of society towards people with disabilities and mental health problems, to raise the inclusion of disabled people and volunteers in order to form more caring communities and to facilitate by creating opportunities for successful integration of disabled people into society.
How can you use and support Helpific?
Right now we post the help requests to Helpific Facebook page to help communities already and we just start the “beta” testing period of out platform and we encourage everyone to try and give feedback to us.
© Helpific
| Honorable interested parties of Helpific webplatform, we collect donations for webplatform future developments. You can make a contribution in form of donation to the NGO Helpific. HELPIFIC NGO* Registration code: 80380146 Bank account No EE102200221061303677 SWIFT kood/BIC: HABAEE2X SWEDBANK Explanation: Donation, webplatform * Helpific is not included in the list of non-profit associations, foundations and religious associations benefiting from income tax incentives. |
Helpific newsletter | July 2015
7:48:00 PM
Dear members of Helpific platform!
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
Community's care and simplicity of helping each other through Helpific support platform enables to offer help and people with disabilities to live their life without borders.
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| Meeting students and lecturers from United States Roberts Wesleyan College |
New logo for Helpific
Since April Helpific has a new logo - thanks to Neway AD Design Studio and Jaan Naaber. See logo design here.
I dream to become an astronaut. With your help we'll fly together!
Tallinn University in co-operation with Helpific started a campaign to help two young dudes to manage their independent life in the community. Our aim is to introduce the mission of Helpific and our future plans and most importantly - helping to solve the problems of these two young men. In the beginning of May we presented pilot projects of Jüri and Tom - two awesome guys who need a little bit of help. Let’s help them - share info, buy their services, donate and cheer for them!
European Sustainable Development Week
Helpific and Estonian Medical Student’s Association organized within European Sustainable Development Week an information day. Topic was about physical disability, comparing medical and social approach. Together the myths were broken and the meaning of mobility disability was opened. See photos here.
Helpific will have a tour!
Helpific organizes in autumn information days in Tallinn, Tartu and Haapsalu. The aim is to present and popularize Helpific web platform among local citizens. Exact dates and locations will be presented in our Facebook page.
Helpific began international co-operation with Finnish university
Helpific is a partner in a project “Skilled and Socially Inclusive Region”. Partners are Tallinn University Institute of Social Work, Tallinn Mental Health Center and Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Finland. People with mental disability are the risk group in the job market. Often the reasons for not employing them are behind false understandings about their disability, not their disability itself. The aims of the project are creating stronger communities, connecting vulnerable people with the labor market, raising activity and employment of disabled people, and reducing stigma in the society. Project activities will take place in autumn. More information coming soon.
Sharing social values through sharing economy
- In April Helpific presented itself in seminar focused on sharing economy, organized by Estonian Urban Lab. A sharing economy takes a variety of forms, often leveraging information technology to empower individuals, corporations, non-profits and government with information that enables distribution, sharing and reuse of excess capacity in goods and services. Photos from the seminar are available here.
- In April was held Bewise lecture “New Tendencies in Welfare: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Social Work” in Tallinn University of Technology. The aim of the BeWise project is to provide additional value to higher education in Estonia, helping Estonian universities to mediate practitioners as guest lecturers. Helpific co-founder Zsolt Bugarszki (PhD) was the lecturer.
- In May social work students and lecturers from United States Roberts Wesleyan College visited Tallinn University Institute of Social Work. Helpific team participated in the meeting. The purpose of the visit was sharing experiences about dealing with mental disability. Quests from US valued Helpific as a initiative with innovative ideas about how to solve problems in society.
- On 20-23 August will be held Nordic Inspiration Conference 2015 "Beyond borders". Helpific will participate as special project, but more information coming in the August information letter!
- Helpific will participate at The Festival of Opinion Culture 14.-15.08.2015. More information from here and Facebook event.
How can you use or support Helpific right now?
Right now we post the help needers wishes to Helpific Facebook page to help communities already, even though the website is under development. Users can increase the user base of Helpific by sharing our information, individually as well as in the social media and through organizations, mailing lists of disabled people and volunteers. Also, we look forward to feedback for Helpific activities and additional recommendations to increase the quality and user-friendliness of our web platform.
