A nationwide shortage of guardians and administrators is affecting Swedish municipalities, with Kiruna among those struggling to find volunteers for these demanding roles. According to reports, many municipalities are having difficulty recruiting people willing to take on guardian responsibilities for those in need. In Kiruna, local authorities are attempting to develop new methods to attract more volunteers to these positions while legal changes are underway.
Runa Tiala, a 72-year-old high school teacher from Kiruna, represents the type of volunteer municipalities desperately need. She works as a guardian in her spare time alongside her full-time teaching job. "It's nice to help others but it's a lot of work," Tiala told Norrländska Socialdemokraten.
It's nice to help others but it's a lot of work
She added that she took on her first guardian role ten years ago because she enjoys social interaction and finds it rewarding to gain insight into other people's daily lives. The shortage comes as municipalities across Sweden report increasing challenges in finding qualified individuals willing to take on these important but demanding community roles.
She added that she took on her first guardian role ten years ago because she enjoys social interaction and finds it rewarding to gain insight into other people's daily lives