Project SPOLU

Projekt SPOLU,z.s. was officially registered as an NGO in 2025, though its journey began back in 2012 in Brno as an informal student initiative. It has been running continuously ever since. Today, it serves as a collaborative platform connecting psychology and medical students, psychiatric patients, and mental health professionals across the Czech Republic. More than 200 volunteers currently take part in the project through our branches in Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava, and Prague.

Our Mission

We provide psychiatric inpatients with engaging leisure activities that go beyond standard institutional care. In doing so, we strive to enhance and innovate healthcare, social, and psychological services, while giving medical and psychology students hands-on practical experience during their studies. On a broader scale, we work to reduce the stigma around mental illness and foster public awareness of mental health.

A Win-Win for Everyone Involved:

For People with Mental Illness

• A wide variety of regular leisure activities,
• Genuine human connection with dedicated volunteers,
• Meaningful support throughout their hospital stay.

For Psychology and Medical Students

• Hands-on clinical experience early in their studies,
• Professional growth and a competitive edge in their careers,
• Cultivation of civic responsibility and community engagement.

For Healthcare Professionals

• Broader observational insights into patients' daily lives,
• Practical assistance with activity reports and session notes,
• Expanded care and activity options for inpatients.

For the Wider Public

• Greater awareness of mental illness and prevention,
• Continuous reduction of the stigma surrounding mental health.

History

The roots of Project SPOLU date back to autumn 2012, sparked by psychology student Barbora Chvátalová. During a mandatory week-long placement at the Department of Psychiatry at University Hospital Brno, she saw an opportunity to get students involved on a deeper, long-term basis.

It started with a handful of passionate volunteers who formed the first "clinical team." However, the overwhelming interest and dedication from students quickly outgrew the original setup. Project SPOLU rapidly expanded: new student teams formed, more facilities reached out to partner with our volunteers, and the initiative soon spread to other cities. What began as an opportunity for just 10 students grew into the largest initiative ever run by the Czech Psychology Students' Association.

Present Day

Each semester, Project SPOLU offers volunteering placements to more than 200 students. Since our launch, hundreds of volunteers have joined our mission, gained invaluable hands-on experience, and gone on to apply these skills in their professional careers.

Thanks to their drive and the dedicated support of mental health professionals, we continue expanding into new cities. Even on a European scale, this model of collaboration between students, patients, and healthcare providers remains exceptionally rare and innovative – already touching the lives of thousands of patients.