Hearts and flour at the bakery
Wallisellen
Social issues
In the Züriwerk Foundation bakery in Wallisellen ZH, people with disabilities work with volunteers from a Swiss company. Baking together not only produces cookies, but also valuable encounters and insights into other ways of life and working environments.
The bakery offers around 20 people with disabilities meaningful work, recognition and a sense of community. The work is done with pride and care and the employees are happy to show the volunteers how to cut out Christmas cookies or knead dough. “I like to show people how we work”, says David, who has been working at the bakery for 15 years. For the volunteers, being part of this dedicated team is a special experience. “I felt integrated right away”, says Elena, one of the participants. “The day gave me a lot of new insights”.
But it’s not just about working together: conversations arise about life, work and personal interests. Elena mentions that she bakes with her son every year, while Vincent and Tobias discuss their favorite football clubs. These moments foster a sense of closeness and understanding between people who are unlikely to meet in everyday life. “The work gives us a new outlook on life”, say Nicole and Tobias, two of the volunteers. “We meet people we would otherwise hardly come into contact with.”
The volunteers’ work is invaluable to the bakery. They relieve the team, bring fresh perspectives and help bake an impressive 150,000 Christmas cookies per year. “This is possible thanks to the volunteers”, emphasizes Mette Holmboe, deputy operations manager. The volunteers benefit as well because corporate volunteering allows them to engage in social activities, learn new skills and improve their teamwork. Companies that promote initiatives like this create added value for society and strengthen the motivation and sense of community among their employees.
At the end of the day, both baking trays and hearts are filled – with new experiences, mutual appreciation and a sense of connectedness. Corporate volunteering shows how enriching it can be to look beyond your own workday and do something positive together.
Impressions
Die Stiftung Züriwerk engagiert sich für die soziale und wirtschaftliche Teilhabe von Menschen mit Beeinträchtigung im Kanton Zürich. Ziel der Stiftung ist es, Menschen mit Beeinträchtigung Gleichberechtigung zu sichern, ihre Eigenständigkeit und Integration in die Gesellschaft sowie ihre persönliche Entwicklung und Lebensqualität zu fördern. Um diese Ziele zu erreichen, schaffen wir in Zusammenarbeit mit Partnern der öffentlichen Hand und der Privatwirtschaft individuelle Wohn-, Arbeits- und Ausbildungsangebote für Menschen mit Besonderheiten.