“Wspólnie POZmieniajmy” (Together Let’s Change Poznań) took centre stage in September 2024, showcasing a remarkable collaboration between local businesses, social organisations, and the city government, all united for a noble cause: improving the health and wellbeing of residents. The initiative’s second edition brought together 15 companies, two non-profits, and the City Council of Poznań to transform a key healthcare facility – the Care and Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Zakład Opiekuńczo-Leczniczy i Rehabilitacji Medycznej). Nearly 200 volunteers focused on enhancing both the outdoor and indoor spaces, creating a more inviting, therapeutic environment for patients and their families.
Improving Green Spaces for Health
The Care and Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Poznań provides essential care and rehabilitation services to nearly 3,000 patients annually. For many, recovery is a long and demanding journey, requiring not just medical treatment but also a peaceful and pleasant environment. Volunteers, including employees from participating companies, recognised the importance of nature in healing and set out to revitalise the centre’s outdoor areas.
As part of the initiative, volunteers planted nearly 1,000 new plants, including cherry trees, hydrangeas, and lavender. These green additions were carefully chosen to create a calming atmosphere for patients, their families, and the healthcare staff. Alongside the planting efforts, the volunteers also assembled benches and planters, giving visitors peaceful places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. They even created a sensory pathway, which will aid in patients’ rehabilitation by engaging their senses in a natural, outdoor environment.
Seeing the joy on people’s faces as we transformed the space was incredibly moving. It’s not just about planting trees — it’s about giving people hope and showing them that the community cares.
Shared one volunteer from Amica.
Building a Better Future Together
One of the unique aspects of the “Together Let’s Change Poznań” initiative is the strong collaboration across different sectors. Rather than competing, local businesses worked hand-in-hand with social organisations like the Fundacja NIWA Edukacji i Rozwoju (NIWA Foundation for Education and Development) and the Stowarzyszenie Centrum PISOP (Association of PISOP Centre), as well as the City of Poznań, to bring about positive change in the community. Companies from various industries, such as Allegro, Amica, Aquanet, and Volkswagen Poznań, set aside their individual interests to collectively contribute their resources and time.
This year’s event also saw the involvement of the City of Poznań under the honorary patronage of the Mayor. This symbolic support highlighted the importance of creating spaces where people not only receive medical treatment but also benefit from the healing power of nature.
The sheer scale of the effort — covering over 827 square metres of land and involving the planting of hundreds of plants — demonstrates that when people come together, they can create something far greater than the sum of their individual contributions.
Volunteering for Social Good
For the employees involved, the experience was about more than just planting flowers and assembling furniture – it was an opportunity to give back to their community in a meaningful way.
As one of Poland’s most respected brands, with a deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, Amica regularly encourages its employees to participate in local volunteering projects. The company recognises the value of contributing to the community and leading initiatives that go beyond business.
For Amica’s volunteers, this project wasn’t just about planting trees or assembling furniture — it was about being part of a larger movement to give back to Poznań. Many participants noted how rewarding it was to see the immediate impact of their efforts and to know that the space they helped create would bring comfort to patients and families for years to come.
We believe that our role as a company goes beyond producing appliances. It’s about making a difference where it matters most. The efforts of our volunteers during “Together Let’s Change Poznań” reflect our values as a company and our commitment to improving the quality of life in our community.
Remarked Eliza Orepiuk-Szymura, Amica’s Public Relations Manager.
The volunteers’ efforts weren’t limited to the outdoors. Indoors, they also helped refresh some of the facility’s rooms, painting walls and creating a brighter, more welcoming space for patients. These seemingly small improvements can have a significant impact on the morale of both patients and staff, especially in a setting where long-term care and rehabilitation are the norm.
The Power of Collective Action
For Amica and the other participating companies, this initiative is part of a broader commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. By creating green, healing spaces, they’re not only improving the physical environment but also contributing to the long-term health and happiness of Poznań’s residents.
The success of “Together Let’s Change Poznań” demonstrates how much can be achieved when businesses, social organisations, and local authorities collaborate towards a common goal. The event showcased the power of teamwork, with people from all walks of life coming together to make a real difference in their city. The initiative’s underlying message is clear: when different sectors unite for the common good, they can create a lasting positive impact that benefits everyone.
A Vision for the Future
As the second edition of “Together Let’s Change Poznań” wraps up, the results speak for themselves. The newly revitalised spaces at the Care and Medical Rehabilitation Centre will not only improve the daily experience of patients and their families but also aid in the rehabilitation process. Nature has long been recognised as a healing force, and by bringing more green spaces to the centre, volunteers have created an environment where recovery can flourish.
Looking to the future, “Together Let’s Change Poznań” stands as a model for how business and social responsibility can intertwine to benefit local communities. The hope is that more companies and individuals will be inspired by the initiative and join similar efforts, contributing to a brighter and healthier future for all.