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Sammanfattning

During the last decades, public welfare systems in Norway has increasingly sought to involve volunteers. In this article, we investigate hindrances and challenges that arise when voluntary unpaid labour is connected to public care provision. As a theoretical point of departure, we assume that public welfare benefits contain qualities that basically distinguish them from those of voluntary organizations. We carried out 21 qualitative interviews with managers in nursing homes, home care services as well as with activity leaders in voluntary organisations. Case studies were conducted in nursing homes as well as and home services, focusing visiting arrangements, social- and physical activities and accompanying services carried out by volunteers. The results show that coordination challenges were common between volunteers and professionals. Most often, professionals formulated the premises for volunteers and their activities. Care institutions required an overview of the volunteers' contribution, attendance, competence and suitability. Some activities demanded comprehensive coordination, and frictions arose as a result of unclear division of tasks, extra work for professionals and poor communication. Recruitment of new volunteers appeared as a bottleneck. Adjusting the expectations of volunteers towards residents with complex care needs was considered important for retaining volunteers. A clarification of professional tasks and boundaries to volunteers tasks may improve the interaction between volunteers and professionals in the municipal care sector.

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