Institutional portal - Municipality of Milan

Today there are already 310 voluntary carers of children in 85 schools

Milan, 5 December 2019 – “The service carried out by Grandparents friends in Milan is an important voluntary activity that we want to further enhance and expand”. With these words, the deputy mayor Anna Scavuzzo and the councilor for education Laura Galimberti announce the relaunch of the student accompaniment and protection service and for additional teaching activities, for the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021.

Currently in Milan there are 310 Grandparents friends on duty who ensure that pupils cross the road when entering and exiting 85 schools, integrating the supervision and safety activity of the local police. The activity carried out so far by the voluntary associations has given important results for Milan, both in terms of socio-educational and safety outside the school buildings.

“The activity of the Grandparents Friends – explains the deputy mayor Anna Scavuzzo – is of fundamental support to that of the local police to facilitate the entry and exit of pupils from schools in moments of intense traffic, as well as being an educational activity with regards to compliance with the rules of the Highway Code".

“The service has seen great participation to date – comments Education Councilor Laura Galimberti – and it is precisely for this reason that we have the ambitious goal of expanding it further, so as to extend this precious activity to as many schools as possible. Participating is an opportunity to support children for all people who have free time: dedicating it to schools is a gift and an investment for the future of the little ones. Volunteering is an extraordinary theme from an educational point of view."

In addition to the prevention of road dangers when entering and exiting schools, the project for the next two years also aims to achieve other social objectives, guaranteeing the volunteers involved active participation in the life of the communities, always encouraging plus entry into school structures to promote the transfer of experiences and knowledge.

The notice is aimed at all third sector entities who wish to collaborate with the Municipality of Milan, guaranteeing continuity of service. For its part, the Administration will reimburse the organizations for the expenses incurred, up to a maximum of 390 euros for each school in which the activity takes place. Refunds are provided for the costs of compulsory insurance coverage for volunteers, for their training and the provision of visibility elements. The Administration will also provide each volunteer with an ATM subscription, annual or monthly, at a discounted rate, for daily travel, in addition to general training for volunteers.