University of Bologna logo Unimpatto Your donation to generate change together
Medicine & Health

Palliative care: the experience of the "Spiaggia dei valori"

We study how non-pharmacological interventions can improve the quality of life for people in vulnerable conditions and their caregivers.

paving the way for new approaches in palliative care.

What we have achieved

€ 80
Funds raised to date
€ 20,000
June 2025 Target

Description

The research project aims to assess the social, psychological, and care-related impact of the "Spiaggia dei Valori" experience, with the goal of enhancing quality of life and palliative care for individuals in vulnerable conditions.

Since 2018, this initiative by the "Insieme a Te" Association has provided free access to the beach and the sea for individuals with severe disabilities and their caregivers. The facility offers an inclusive experience through the support of healthcare professionals, volunteers, specialised equipment, and accessible spaces. It is the only facility in Italy operating under agreements with AUSL Romagna, the University of Bologna, and local municipalities and regions.

The study will collect data through questionnaires administered to individuals with incurable chronic illnesses (non-oncological), caregivers, healthcare staff, and volunteers to analyse how the beach experience, understood as a non-pharmacological intervention, influences health, psychological well-being, and quality of life.

The findings will be published in scientific studies, aiming to contribute to the development of new socio-healthcare intervention models.

Donate Now

Goals

  1. To evaluate how beach attendance affects the care and quality of life of vulnerable individuals and their caregivers.

  2. To assess the experience of caregiving and volunteer staff, with a particular focus on identifying their training needs.

  3. To analyse the data collected at the end of the season and publish the results.

Impact

  • To raise awareness about the role of non-pharmacological and socially significant interventions in improving the quality of life and care of individuals with chronic, incurable conditions.

  • To contribute to the development of scientific knowledge aimed at identifying more integrated and humane approaches to palliative care, while also improving socio-health planning and organisation.

  • To promote a virtuous and replicable model for palliative and social inclusion interventions.

The Spiaggia dei Valori project by the "Insieme a Te" Association was created to provide support and inclusivity for individuals with severe disabilities and their families, offering eighteen dedicated beach spots reflecting the association’s core values.

To date, more than 1,400 individuals in vulnerable conditions and their caregivers have benefited from the services, supported by over 2,100 volunteers.

From 2024, the project will open to everyone, offering an inclusive and supportive beach holiday experience.

The project has already been the subject of a research study funded by the grant "Perceived Psychological Well-being and Restorativeness in Users of the Coastal Environment – Spiaggia dei Valori", conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Bologna.

Donate Now

You can make your donation online or by money order. If you do not have an Italian tax code or would like to donate more than €10,000, please contact us.

Amount

The most frequent donations:
€

My data

Type of donor
A donation is of modest value if it does not significantly affect your finances.