Social Services

Extensive help

Competent, continuous support and guidance facilitate the social integration of people in need – through practical, on-the-spot assistance. They are motivated and trained to improve and change their life situation and lifestyle entirely. People in need should be empowered to live and work without dependencies.

Contact: Andy & Carola Schaeppi: andyschaeppi@danbasel.ch

The most important services include:

Employment assistance

• The social services department evaluates in discussions with the client where and in which sector employment might be possible.

• The social services department helps its clients to create accurate CVs and application letters.
• In addition, the social services actively assist with job searches by sending out applications on behalf of clients, communicating with the Job Centre and utilising their contacts with recruitment agencies. Companies in the social services network are also contacted directly and vice versa to refer clients to vacant positions.

• The social services also support their clients in their new profession and continue to act as a point of contact for employers and clients.

Financial assistance

• The social services department helps clients to restructure their debts in order to create a new and worry-free future.
• The social services department helps clients to find an acceptable solution to debt collection proceedings or to avert the costs.

Administrative assistance

• The social services department offers mediation in cases of uncertainty between clients and government agencies.

• It drafts important documents on behalf of clients, makes phone calls and clarifies issues that are beneficial to the client.
• The social services department helps clients to find an acceptable solution to debt collection proceedings or to avert the costs.
• If desired, the social services department also accompanies clients to meetings with the relevant government officials.
• For clients with an immigrant background, the social services department also helps with obtaining permits, if desired.
• This mainly concerns social welfare offices, employment offices, refugee support services and migration offices.

• In complex cases, the social services department can call on the services of a lawyer with whom it has a good working relationship.

Housing assistance

• The social services department is committed to finding appropriate housing for its clients.

• To this end, it arranges viewing appointments, is present on site, negotiates and mediates with the landlord.
• It clarifies with the authorities who will pay the rent deposit, if necessary with a foundation.
• They are present at viewings of the property at the request of the authorities or the client.
• They help with insurance matters relating to the apartments.
• If the budget for furnishings is too low, the social services department tries to generate donations to purchase what is needed.

• The social services department also organises moving assistance on request.

Acquisition assistance

• The social services department assesses the needs of its clients and assists in the acquisition of everyday items or other urgently needed goods.

• The social services department solicits donations within a specific community to obtain the necessary funds.
• The social services department requests funds from foundations for the items to be procured.
• Companies are asked for donations in the form of goods.
• The required items are found through internet and telephone research, and the social services department then attempts to obtain them at a low cost or as donations.
• The successfully obtained goods are delivered to clients as needed or handed over to them on a Tuesday.

• The goods may include a shopping trolley, a laptop, a bicycle or a wheelchair, etc.

Human assistance

• However, the most important task of the social services is to always be available to listen to clients' various concerns and to be there for them. Sometimes it is simply the task of the social services to show humanity and compassion and to express to the client that they are taken seriously and treated as a dignified and equal human being despite their social situation.

• The social services department is available on site on Tuesdays and can otherwise be reached daily by telephone or email.

Christmas assistance

• The social services department takes care of fundraising by writing to all its contacts so that the Christmas party can take place and clients can be offered a wonderful Christmas Eve and their children's heartfelt wishes can be fulfilled.

• The social services department personally purchases all gifts.
• The social services department negotiates an affordable price for the necessary items with its cooperation partners.
• It organises the necessary location.
• After Christmas, the social services department sends a photo card, an expression of thanks and a donation receipt to all donors.

• etc.

General functions

• The social services department helps with the integration of migrant clients.

• The social services department helps with the organisation of food collections and contacts retailers.

• Organises the necessary items from DaN including ordering materials.