No colleague could predict the situation that will come in the new heating season, therefore this autumn will be painful, said Anna Jegorova, the Social Service director in Augsdaugava municipality. She is heading an institution that merged social services of Daugavpils and Ilukste municipalities a year ago. The institution currently is providing assistance not only to local residents, but also refugees from Ukraine.

Can you say that you have completed all that was needed in relation to the administrative territorial reform and have coordinated all regulations in the social sector?

We have been "married together" - former Ilukste municipality and former Daugavpils municipality - and now we have been renamed to Augsdaugava municipality. All regulations have been coordinated, adapted, applying experience from both former municipalities. They have been developed so that our residents see more benefit and so that we can help them better.

You said that when coordinating the regulations, you ensured that residents have the highest benefits and support. Have you managed to keep higher benefits in all areas compared to what it had been earlier in each municipality?

Every year there will be something new that has not been covered earlier. At the same time, there are social benefits which had not been provided in Daugavpils municipality, and some others that have not been provided in Ilukste municipality. Now we have merged both municipalities and residents can receive these benefits.

As the territory has become larger, how do you see the social services, social care institutions network develop?

This is a special story. Over the past years we see more and more lonely people. Of course, it is related with the ageing of the nation. We have more and more old people who have no children, caretakers, good neighbors, and they need long-term care institutions.

We have Dizkoks care institution in Ilukste, Miera Nams in Subate, Viski care center, we have well-developed care service at home. It is not so that people are lining up for these services, but we should think about development because we see more and more elderly people who are not able to take care of themselves.

Former Daugavpils municipality was one of the first ones to introduce mobile care unit that visits clients at home. Is this service in demand and are you developing it in any way?

I can say with pride that it is an exclusive service in Augsdaugava municipality. A far as I know, this is the only such service in Latgale. The service is in high demand, but it is expensive. People are very thankful for it because it is a complex service - we can provide hygienic care, home cleaning, conversations, consulting, information, hairdresser’s service, podology service, laundry service.

Do you plan another unit for the service or is there shortage of staff?

I do not see shortage of staff. There are four people in the unit. If I needed more, I would find employees immediately. Of course, we would need another car because the municipality is large, and there is demand for this service. We will think about another car, but not this year.

What about employees in other areas in the social service?

At present I can say that we have enough employees. Of course, the situation may change in two or three years. I am proud, however, that students come to work here after graduating the Baltic International Academy. Those are social workers who have higher professional education. Those who come to work in the country are talented, soulful and brave people.

Your specific feature is not only the country but also the border area. How does it affect the everyday work of social workers

We have also two cities - Subate and Ilukste. The rest is countryside. Besides, we are a municipality with two large institutions for people with mental disabilities. The biggest challenge, however, was not even Covid-19, but work with refugees. We are a border area, directly facing the current situation.

Yes, the refugee flow has declined, but we still have Ukrainian civillians and we are ready to provide assistance and services at any time. They have to adapt to the situation, find jobs, relatives, friends.

What is the most difficult thing in the work with refugees from Ukraine?

The biggest challenge for social workers and the service is understanding the term "refugee" because it is something new to us. Several years ago, we were on an experience exchange trip to the Netherlands and discussed work with refugees, shelters, day centers. At the time we said that this does not refer to us.

And suddenly we are facing these problems. Every person comes with his own story, pain. You have to listen to everybody, gather all the information, find the right words. It requires experience, sympathy to understand what has happened with these people, understand how you can help them,

Do you think support and information from the state in relation to Ukrainian refugees has been coordinated?

I can tell that I participated in practically all informative events that were offered. I can thank and commend the Welfare Ministry. We are being informed on the situation, how many Ukrainian refugees there are, what kind of assistance is being provided, what sums are being paid. Colleagues are sharing their experience. For example, if we cannot find answer, colleagues are helping us, and we are trying to solve the situation together.

The Welfare Ministry is attracting the Economics Ministry, NGOs, the State Employment Agency and other specialists, and we learn what we should do.

In relation to Latgale, there are often reports in media about negative attitude to refugees, support to Russia or Belarus. Do you feel the tension? Have there been conflicts between local residents and refugees?

I can tell that we have not had any conflicts. If residents are informed in due time, everything that worries them is explained, there are no conflicts or criticism. I can tell that we have not seen anything like that, but I cannot speak about the whole Latgale region.

How does the municipality plan to support local residents as the new heating season starts?

This is the most painful issue not only for the Social Service, but the whole municipality as such, as we understand that the autumn will be difficult. We will not be pessimists, the Social Service deals individually with each family, everyone who turns for help. First, we have to think about heating because prices will grow in this area, but prices grow also for food products. In any we, we will try to solve every problem situation.

Do you expect that new social groups will need assistance?

Of course, also if Covid-19 resumes, then together with higher prices for heating, electricity, food and services, the situation may become quite dramatic. But I am an optimist. We have to find a solution.

I think that the target groups will expand. If Covid-19 resumes, there will be fewer jobs, liquidation of some companies. It means that there will be more job seekers and unemployed. Those are customers who may turn to the Social Service for help.

There have also been reports that there are municipalities who have no money for benefits. Will the Social Service need additional funds for this purpose?

Early this year we earmarked the sum that will be used for benefits. Of course, more money will be needed. We have warned the administration that we will need more funds to meet the basic needs of our residents.

I think that my colleagues, irrespective of the municipality, at the end of 2021 could not predict the situation we have now. Not only municipalities should think about it, but also the state. Also, Augsdaugava municipality will have to search for additional funds because municipalities now are carrying the biggest burden.

Is it possible for the institution itself to save some resources?

Augsdaugava municipality already revised the budget. There are things that we revised on our own. I myself gave up experience exchange trips, we canceled a number of events. Social workers often use bicycles, saving on fuel. We use communication by phone and on internet. Our psychologists sometimes do not visit clients at home, but provide services, using different communication channels. By saving funds, we can help more.

What should the next Saeima do in this area?

It is a very sensitive and important matter. I think that these elections will not show a high turnout because of many reasons.

I wish the new Saeima to put social area and education as priorities. My colleagues always study programs prepared by every party and then we meet up and discuss them. I wish social work and social services to develop for the benefit of our residents. Good luck for those who run for the parliament!