VHS Diepholz: Strengthening volunteerism and focusing on inclusion!

VHS Diepholz: Strengthening volunteerism and focusing on inclusion!

A look at the developments at the adult education center (VHS) in the Diepholz district shows that a lot has happened here in the past year. As the Weser-Kurier reports, the VHS has analyzed its figures for 2024. Manager Barbara Brockmann presented the results to the works committee and emphasized that the health sector accounts for over a quarter of all events. Language offerings, which also include integration courses for German as a foreign language, follow at 22.6 percent.

In total, over 2,500 events were held, which were attended by 21,303 participants and included over 55,000 teaching hours. However, the canceled events remained a downer, especially in the southern municipalities. In the Schwaförden municipality, for example, a full 70 percent of the offers were canceled. In contrast, Barnstorf performs excellently with only 10 percent canceled events, and there is also a positive development in Bassum thanks to the local office.

The look forward

Brockmann has big plans to further promote volunteer work. The VHS is currently also analyzing why interest in the political semester topic “Yes, I want to have an election” declined sharply after an initial boom. A connection with the postponement of the federal election is suspected. The new program for the fall and winter semesters will be available on the VHS website from Friday.

At the same time, the topic of inclusion is playing an increasingly important role in the district. A workshop on participation in sports and sports clubs will take place on June 7, 2024. The organizers are Lebenshilfe Grafschaft Diepholz and SG Diepholz. The workshop aims to promote inclusion between young and old as well as people of different nationalities, religions and with or without disabilities. Bernd Oehlmann from SG Diepholz emphasizes the importance of inclusion in sport. Experts such as Wiebke Wall and Jan Holthaus will contribute their experiences and approaches to participation.

Events dedicated to participation

The topics of the workshop include, among other things, the development of and life in inclusion groups as well as support for participation. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the workshop at the SG Sportheim at Moorstrasse 6, Diepholz.

Overall, it can be seen that a lot is being done in the Diepholz district to promote volunteer work and inclusion. Whether in the VHS or in sports, those responsible have a good knack for breaking new ground and involving all sections of the population. While some events struggled with difficulties, it is clear that commitment in the region remains undiminished.