Through its work in Switzerland, Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) fosters social inclusion for disadvantaged people, promotes equal opportunity and supports asylum seekers and other socially deprived people with legal advice.
HEKS/EPER maintains six regional offices in Switzerland, which operate over 50 projects in 13 cantons.
Older migrants are often unfamiliar with the Swiss retirement system and with local facilities and care systems. The "HEKS/EPER AltuM" project is designed to improve living conditions, from a health and social standpoint, of immigrants 55 years and over living in the Cantons of Zürich and Aargau, as well as in Eastern Switzerland and Vaud. Through health education programmes and participation in specific activities and events, men and women learn to take better care of their health. Older migrants get to know about the relevant schemes and institutions and are encouraged to spread the word in their social network.
