Shibuya Ward Collaborates with Plus Robo for Caregiving Support

On December 10, 2023, Shibuya Ward (Mayor: Ken Hasebe) signed a partnership agreement with Plus Robo Inc. (Minato Ward, Tokyo, CEO: Ryohei Suzuki) concerning collaboration on welfare and caregiving personnel. This agreement enables local caregiving facilities to utilize Plus Robo's paid volunteer matching service, Sketter, without charge. The initiative aims to secure caregiving staff and expand the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including local residents and students from universities that have signed the S-SAP (Shibuya Social Action Partner) agreement.

Background of the Agreement

In November 2022, a survey conducted by Shibuya Ward revealed that approximately 67% of caregiving businesses reported a lack of personnel, marking a critical issue. Anticipated growth in demand for caregiving services contrasts sharply with a declining working-age population, heightening concerns about staffing shortages in the caregiving sector.

Sketter functions as a volunteer matching service that connects local residents with caregiving facilities. This partnership seeks to enhance involvement from various community members in caregiving settings, which is expected to contribute to stabilizing staffing levels and ensuring reliable caregiving services.

Implementation Details

The Shibuya Ward will initiate a one-year free trial period starting March 1, 2024, running until March 31, 2025, to encourage usage of Sketter among local caregiving businesses. During this trial, they will call upon residents, as well as university students and professionals linked through the S-SAP Agreement, to register for volunteer opportunities, irrespective of prior caregiving experience.

The caregiving facilities will seek volunteers for tasks that do not require formal qualifications, such as meal distribution and assisting with recreational activities. Interested volunteers will have the opportunity to apply for various engagements and participate as volunteers. Following the trial period, the utilization and outcomes will be analyzed to evaluate the potential for broader implementation.

To inform the community, the Shibuya Ward will disseminate information via its official website, newsletters, and social media channels. Additional seminars providing details about Sketter's utilization will occur on the following dates:

- In-person Meeting: January 28, 2024
- Online Meeting: February 4, 2024

About Sketter

Sketter, managed by Plus Robo, serves as a mutual aid platform that connects local residents to support caregiving facilities with daily tasks, such as meal preparation, cleaning, and facilitating recreational activities. This establishment fosters new engagement methods within caregiving environments and is gaining attention for broadening the talent pool by encouraging diverse community involvement.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Shibuya Ward and Plus Robo is a noteworthy step towards addressing the pressing challenges facing the caregiving industry. Through innovative solutions like Sketter, there is hope for alleviating staffing shortages and enhancing the quality of care available to those in need, creating a stronger, more connected community.