EN
On September 3, 2026, the Pomeranian Round Table on Respite Care met at the Respite Care Center in Gdańsk. The event - organized at the initiative of the Pomeranian Voivode, Beata Rutkiewicz, in collaboration with the "Hospice Is Also Life" Hospice Foundation and the Respite Care Center - brought together experts, practitioners, representatives from local governments and institutions, and family caregivers. Also in attendance were representatives from the JohnnyBros Foundation, one of the founding organizations and co-creators of the Gdańsk-based Center.
The primary objective of the meeting was to summarize the work of the Task Force on the Standardization of Respite Care Services. During the proceedings, an expert report containing recommendations - titled "Respite Care as an Element of Social Resilience in Local Communities: Models, Practical Experiences, and Recommendations from the Pomeranian Region" - was presented.
A key outcome of the discussions was the development and unveiling of the "Pomeranian Decalogue for the Organization of Respite Care"—a document that establishes standards and development paths for respite care support in the region. It emphasizes the need for service flexibility, close cooperation among local governments, and measures to prevent caregiver burnout.
Participants in the discussion included, among others: Beata Tarnawska-Domalewska, the Regional Representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) in Gdańsk, was in attendance, alongside representatives from social welfare centers (including the Municipal Social Welfare Center in Starogard Gdański). Participants highlighted the need for the continued development of respite care as a permanent component of the social services system and a vital tool in the process of deinstitutionalization.
For the JohnnyBros Foundation, this event held special significance: it took place in a facility to whose creation the foundation had directly contributed. As representatives of the organization noted, growing public awareness and the development of substantive discussions surrounding respite care serve as proof that their efforts are yielding tangible results.
Anna Tomczak, a marketing specialist at JohnnyBros, shared her impressions of the proceedings:
"The discussion regarding 'soft' tools and psychological support for family caregivers - an aspect that many people are still unaware of - was incredibly valuable. I was also deeply moved by the direct, candid accounts from the caregivers themselves, who spoke about the hardships of providing 24/7 care and emphasized what a massive difference even a few days of such support can make in their lives. Another key point of discussion was an analysis of why some municipalities still do not utilize these programs. While further education is clearly needed, it is evident that the system has evolved compared to previous years, and an increasing number of people are receiving the essential help they require."
The event confirmed that developing an effective support system for individuals in need of care - as well as their loved ones - requires ongoing collaboration between public authorities, non-governmental organizations, expert communities, private-sector partners, and funders. The JohnnyBros Foundation thanks the Hospice Foundation (Fundacja Hospicyjna) for organizing the event and for the invitation to join the discussion on the future of respite care in the Pomerania region.
