Job Title: General Volunteer (voluntary, no accommodation provided)

Placement length: Minimum 2 months

Position type: 3-5 days per week/21-35 hours

Application Deadline: Rolling

Location: Athens, Greece

About the Position

We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate people to join our team in Athens. General volunteers will provide day-to-day support to the core team of youth workers and case managers and will therefore encounter a wide range of tasks and activities that ensure the proper function of the safe space provided by Velos Youth. General Volunteers will also have the opportunity to train as youth workers; learning about safeguarding, mentoring and youth-led participation. All volunteers are encouraged and supported to develop their own activities and workshops to be delivered directly to service users, with the aid of core team members.

The volunteer must understand that the services provided will be offered on a strictly voluntary basis and will not claim salary or payment.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Be a positive role model 
• Support the daily tasks of the youth service to ensure its proper function (cleaning, fulfilling shopping lists…)
• Develop interesting activities and workshops to assist Velos Youth in delivering a full and varied program each week
• Facilitate opportunities for activities to be youth led
• Liaise with the team regularly to keep them informed of any developments and observations of individual young people and how they might be better supported
• Comply with child safeguarding and data protection protocols
• Demonstrate conflict-solving behaviours

Relevant Qualifications and Experience
Essential 

• Strong interest in working with children and young people
• Flexible days shifts and afternoon shifts
• Ability to engage with children/adolescents from different cultural backgrounds
• Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a diverse team
• Capacity to volunteer in difficult, stressful and intensive contexts
• Commitment to applying relevant policies
• A ‘yes’ attitude and willingness to support in whatever way is needed (for example cleaning)
• Profeciency in speaking English

Desirable

• A background in social work, teaching, psychology or any other relevant field
• Experience working for or alongside NGOs 
• Basic spoken Greek, Farsi/Dari, Urdu, Arabic, Bengali or French and capacity to translate into English verbally; with sensitivity and confidentiality at all times
• Experience of working with young people aged 16-21yrs 
• Good knowledge of children’s/adolescent’s rights and related matters
• Good understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity, active inclusion and gender issues

We need people with experience in the areas of health, nursing, medicine, pharmaceutical, nutrition or alternative medicine, to help us promote our preventive health project, within communities or areas that suffer difficult economic situations in the central Peruvian Andes, is one of those areas affected by migration and large-scale abandonment caused by conditions and deficiencies of health, malnutrition and poor health infrastructure. Come and participate in this voluntary non-commercial project, developed with the communities, which focuses on self-management and teamwork in a flat collaboration structure.

During the weekends, we organize group excursions to many places of interest, such as camps, walks, mountains, artisan villages, Inca ruins, Amazonian forests and waterfalls. We are a group of people who share the best for a real and rewarding experience of social volunteering and cultural exchange. We do not represent accommodation organizations nor do we have links with tourism agencies.

Contribution:

Our organization needs an economic contribution, this helps us keep our work and projects alive, we work with our own projects and resources and invest the money obtained directly in the purchase of materials, rentals, construction, visits to villages and families.

*** We make discounts or exempt from this contribution those people with more capacity for collaboration in our projects

** The organization offers as compensation:

• Accommodation in a spacious and comfortable room
• Basic Work Materials
• Continuous advice from a team with true motivation and experience in the social field.
• Exchange courses at no cost / very low in: meals, cakes, native dances
• The excursions are grouped to interesting places on weekends.
• information of interesting places and trips in Peru
• Learn and improve your level of Spanish in a practical and direct way
• possibility of being an integral part of our organization (even legally speaking)
• information on Andean-Inca history, culture and folklore, theoretical and completely experiential.
• (optional) to experience first-hand holistic Andean energies and energies, yoga and reiki-

For more information, visit our website:

We accept unpaid internships (social sciences, psychology, law, medicine, education, among others). As we work on the basis of self-sufficiency, we cannot provide air fares. However, we offer accommodation and meals at very reasonable prices.

Requirements for volunteers:

• You must be over 19 years old.
• ability and patience to work with very young girls (5-9 years) and women
• It is not necessary to have specialization or previous experience, here we train you to the millimeter, we always work in a very human team.
• You must be tolerant, adaptable and have an open and positive mindset.

** Important:

Our organization is directed by people with sufficient motivation, training and experience in humanitarian and social areas (anthropology, sociology, economics and alternative medicine of the Andean culture). Our work has more than 9 years of intense social work, this gives us the necessary experience. and offers a genuine job, where you can develop your skills, professional experience and achieve a rewarding way of personal growth, your skills are integrated as part of a team, we are not improvised in this matter, we do not offer artificial scenes, our is a Direct social work in areas where there is a great need for help for people in extreme poverty (focused mainly on the Andes of Peru) and where the true culture of Peru still struggles to survive, the Andean culture, cradle of the Inca civilization.

We also combine this with an intense and fun experience of cultural exchange, excursions to many interesting places in the Andes / jungle and practical courses: from native languages ​​or culture to food, desserts / patisserie, local dances, native exotic herbal drinks.

Minka, in the language of the Incas means reciprocal help, is a voluntary social work project that is helping many people of the Andean peoples improve their living situation because many of them are in a situation of extreme poverty and social exclusion , children lack adequate education or simply do not attend school, in addition to having learning problems due to malnutrition and exclusion because they are descendants of Andean families. This is compounded by problems common to immigrant families, such as a difficult adjustment, lack of opportunities, abandonment and family violence.

We work continuously since 2010, our social work is very direct, this means a better and better form of help and social intervention in areas where more help is needed, in addition a better understanding of the social and cultural reality of the area is promoted. and families in a very personalized and experiential way.

Excursions:
On weekends we are pleased to share an exchange experience and excursions to many interesting places such as: mountains, lagoons, jungles, Inca ruins, and Andean artisanal towns and learn about the living culture that still exists in the Peruvian Andes because it is here in our area We can live and experience these experiences naturally, without getting involved in very tourist experiences.

exchange courses and experiences in:
Meals and pastry, practical Spanish course, detailed information on the culture of Peru, (optional) live directly the many forms of holistic Andean and Inca health, yoga and reiki

We are also open to share with you our knowledge and experience in cultural issues of the Andean and Inca worldview

Requirements:

• minimum age: 19 years
• ability to work in a multicultural team and keep the group together.
• ability and patience to work with young girls and women.
• Determined and clear people about their participation in a project of this nature.
• Possess a positive and adaptable mentality
• ability to integrate into a multicultural team

And wanting to help others!
.

**Important

discounts to people committed to our cause, total exemption of the amount of the economic contribution, prior evaluation.

****Accommodation:

In addition to the above, as a reward for your contribution as a volunteer, we offer accommodation in a spacious and comfortable environment, exchanges, practical lessons in Spanish and documentation, professional practices are validated.

For more details visit our website:

We are looking to recruit people who wish to support children and families by delivering groups in their local area. Though such groups are varied, they often take the form of stay and play groups aimed at 0-5 year olds and their parents. 

Following training and a development period (see below), you will join other qualified volunteers and take full ownership of your chosen activity.

As a volunteer, you will be expected to:  

• Promote your activity and encourage new families to attend 

• Plan each session and deliver it with other volunteers 

• Build strong professional relationships with service users and offer them individual support 

• Set up and pack away the session 

• Complete a register for group attendees 

• Take responsibility for reporting back to the project 

• Sign post service users to further support networks/services 

• Deal with confidential information 

• Inform our service users of any change to the group schedule

• Plan and prepare for any external visitors/speakers to the group 

We are looking for volunteers who have: 

• Full commitment to the group they are assigned to 

• A desire to see children grow and thrive in a safe environment 

• A welcoming, friendly and approachable manner 

• A non-judgemental and supportive approach 

• A dedication to inclusive practice

• An understanding of confidentiality 

• An ability to be flexible and work as part of a team 

• Good communication and listening skills

• Understand the importance of the work we do.

By volunteering in this role you could benefit from: 

• Gaining an insight into voluntary sector and the family support arena 

• Learning new skills and knowledge 

• Improving your CV and employability 

• Making a real contribution to supporting families who use our services

• Being part of a great team! 

Training and Development 

Unlike most volunteer roles available, we are offering a unique experience for you to co-deliver local services. Rather than just supporting us, our volunteers take the lead in running groups and to that end, are trained to a very high standard to do so. Prior to leading a group, volunteers will be given full training on all of its aspects. Furthermore, new volunteers will be allocated a Community Development Worker who will support you through a development period (the time frame of this will depend on a volunteer’s experience).

About Us 

Action for Children is a national charity that helps the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK break down the barriers of injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential. 

Locally, Action For Children deliver the South Worcestershire Project which plays an important role in supporting families with children aged 0-19. The service not only offers support, advice and guidance to families, but works with them to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Support the delivery of our drumming workshops for children with complex medical needs and their siblings.

Role responsibilities:

• Help with the set up and clearing away of the workshop
• Welcome families and children on the day
• Support children with complex medical needs and their siblings to participate in the drumming
• Participate in a briefing and de-briefing before and after the session
• Follow The Maypole Project policies and guidelines at all times whilst volunteering

Location:

Green Street Green, Orpington with some opportunities in Greenwich

Time commitment:

Drumming workshops currently take place once a month from 5pm to 6pm during the week (day may change). The volunteer would be required to attend a session brief and de-brief lasting approximately 15 minutes at the start and end of the workshop. 

Our befriending volunteers help to alleviate loneliness and social isolation through a weekly visit for a friendly chat to an older person's home. We try as far as possible to match interests of our volunteers with those of the older person they befriend. Visits are to be made between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. We currently provide visiting befriending in Ipswich, Kesgrave, Rushmere St Andrew, Shotley Peninsula and Felixstowe. In other areas of Suffolk telephone befriending role is available.

As a visiting befriender you will make a weekly visit for approximately 1 hour, usually on the same day/time made from home or agreed base. Visits are to take place 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday (this way we ensure there is support on hand if you need it).

A good supportive befriender will be adaptable, a good listener, reliable, patient, tactful, discreet and be able to respect their clients feelings. We offer you a chance to feel valued and make a difference to the lives of older people in your community.

All volunteers must be 18 years or older. A completed application form with two referees will be required. All successful applicants will be trained as Dementia Friends, attend an induction. Reasonable out of pocket expenses are paid. DBS check required (paid for by Age UK Suffolk).

*We need Community Links throughout Suffolk*

As a Community Links Volunteer you will help us to reach more of the people who need us by sharing information about Age UK Suffolk’s services within your local community, this could include giving talks at local clubs, groups or events.
You will also help us to understand the issues facing older people and feedback this information. This is an interesting, varied and rewarding role.

Skills:
Essential
• Knowledge of the community that you are living/volunteering in.
• Ability to communicate verbally with people of all ages.
• Ability to present information verbally in a clear and understandable way.
• Clear record keeping.
Desirable
• Awareness of the older members of the community and the facilities and opportunities available to them.

All volunteers must be 18 years or older. A completed application form with two referees will be required. All successful applicants will be trained as Dementia Friends, attend a Volunteer Induction and have the opportunity for presentation skills training.

This role is home based with flexible hours to suit. Mileage expenses paid. DBS check required (paid for by Age UK Suffolk).

Volunteer Befriender, Grantham Family Befriending Service

A social prescribing project for families with a child in Key Stage 1 (age 5 – 7 years) whose behaviour is at risk of escalating and who may be at risk of exclusion from school.

Having a child who can display challenging behaviour and who is at risk of exclusion from school can make being a parent feel overwhelmingly challenging and it can impact upon every aspect of family life.

This project recognises the confusion that parents might feel if they believe that their child displays some of these behaviours. During this uncertain time, they may feel overwhelmed, isolated or unsure about the next steps.

An introduction to the volunteer role

Volunteer Family Befrienders offer support and guidance to families who are experiencing difficulties in managing their child’s behaviour. This could include boundaries, family routines, communication and trust.

Volunteer Befrienders will support families to identify their own support needs and to agree the next steps going forward. Support will be based on what parents have said they felt would help them and may include peer or one to one support, courses, workshops, events, coffee mornings, sharing rooms.

Time Commitment required

Hours can be flexible. We will ensure an appropriate match between a Volunteer Befriender and a family and to agree times that suit both.

Volunteer Befrienders will be required to commit to a minimum of 2.5 hours per week.

Family Action

Family Action has a strong and successful history of building stronger families. Our values and behaviours define us and underpin all the work we do. We are:

• People focused
• Reflect a ‘can do’ approach
• Strive for excellence in everything we do
• Have mutual respect for everyone we work with, work for and support through our services

Job role

Volunteer Befrienders will link families with other support in the community. This could mean:

• Linking families with others who have similar challenges
• Offering emotional support to families
• Helping to identify ideas and strategies to enable families to support their child and to build the relationship their child
• Supporting families at meetings with schools and other agencies
• Helping families to understand why their child behaves in the way they do.

Minka, whose translation of the Quechua language means mutual help, is a social and community development project that works together with the most vulnerable inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes, and that executes several voluntary projects, focusing especially on improving the well-being of women and men. children.

More than eight years ago, we have been developing social projects directly in those Andean cities subject to social, economic and cultural exclusion. It is precisely in those areas where most people, descendants of the ancient Inca state, live with the greatest problems of economic development here in Peru. The English program for children (apart from other valuable educational and organizational support and empowerment programs) is carried out in marginalized communities in the central Andes of the central Andes, Peru, which gives these children the opportunity to acquire skills basic English that can help them in their future education and increase their employability, as well as being open to greater general knowledge.

The English language is spoken as a very important global language, one of our objectives is to teach this language, especially to children, as a means of improvement and education, because they lack the financial resources necessary to learn English. This program will provide the opportunity for many children from populations living in extreme poverty and will not have the opportunity to study in a private school, we develop classes based on basic pronunciation materials, sentences, colors, communication, verbs and other important issues. In addition, it is a way to improve the level of Spanish that the volunteer has, due to the continuous interaction of languages, all this developed in a direct, entertaining and fun way.

** no previous experience is required to participate in this program, it does not require training in Spanish or teacher just to have a great desire to help and improve the quality of life and education of people who need help.

** Discounts from the second month, exemption of the contribution for people who want a greater commitment of collaboration (coordinators, partners, former volunteers or friends).

** The organization offers:

• Accommodation in a spacious and comfortable room. Spacious, comfortable and equipped, wifi.
• Basic Work Materials
• Continuous advice
• Cultural exchange courses.
• Group excursions to interesting places on weekends.
• Information about interesting places and trips in Peru.
• Learn and improve your level of Spanish in a practical and direct way.
• Information on Andean-Inca history, culture and folklore, theoretically and completely experiential.
• (optional) to experience in a practical way the cosmovisón and the Andean culture, positive rituals of self-knowledge based on mysticism and Andean energy management, therapies based on traditional medicine and others

REQUIREMENTS

• minimum age: 19 years
• Open-minded, positive and adaptable people.
• Have the ability and patience to work with young children (5-9 years old) and women
• Person with the ability to join a multicultural team and keep the group together (important)
• some english language
• basic Spanish

*** It is not necessary to have specialization or previous experience, here you will have continuous support, we always work in a very human team.