Volunteering in Lousã: Local Development Project - 3 Placements

Opis

Maximum 30-35h/week; We value strong initiative to learn basic Portuguese, Options (each volunteer stays in 1 placement)
1. Youth Work: Support youngsters (ages 10-15) in our afterschool program. Intercultural activities, help with homework, your own creative projects to life. 2. Elderly Care: At a day Center. Animation activities, workshops, and essential companionship. 3. Community, Tourism & Communication: Support our local cafeterias (Casa da Eira in the Schist Village Talasnal and at the Municipal Theater). Customer service and sometimes social media content creation. 4. Health & Solidarity: Support children in hospital settings (including visits to Coimbra) and assist with institutional communication and solidarity events. Plus, supporting local festivals, promoting the ESC program in schools, and organizing community workshops - previous experience for the 4th. About Lousã: Schist villages, mountains nature, close-bonded community, proactive and sporty.
@activar_lousa

Ubytovanie, strava a doprava

You will be accommodated in an apartment in the centre of Lousã, from where you can easily access several services and places by foot or bike. The apartment has an equipped kitchen, electric heaters, bed linen and bath towels, and access to WI-FI. In case of visits to Coimbra, the transportation will be arranged among with our partner organisation. Food and transport support will be provided in the form of payment (6€ per day), which will be provided every month, following the same procedures as the pocket money.
Pocket money in total: 12€/day. All sent to Revolut Bank account.

Odborná príprava počas činnosti

Regular meetings and integration in Activar's teams as well as "on the job" training will be provided. You will be given access to Online Linguistic Support (OLS) platform and we will also suggest other tools to study and learn the portuguese language. Support for clarifying doubts and motivation to improve your skills and develop your ideas will be given by the kindergarten/youth office workers, the ESC coordinator and the mentor. You will also be enrolled on the On-arrival training provided by Portuguese National Agency.

Profil účastníka

In general:
1. Awareness of your responsibilities as a volunteer within the project, including confidentiality and safeguarding;
2. Flexibility and readiness to collaborate with staff, other volunteers and community partners across different activities;
3. Respect, empathy and a positive attitude during your volunteering, either where you will be staying, either during your volunteering schedules;
4. Openness to live abroad and adapt to life in a small, authentic Portuguese village, taking part in local community life;
5. Willingness to contribute to local initiatives and non-profit activities, supporting events, workshops and daily actions;
6. Desire for personal growth and learning, including participation in trainings and reflection sessions (Youthpass);
7. Curiosity and openness towards diversity, intercultural exchange, and new experiences;
8. Commitment to learning basic Portuguese to improve daily communication and integration;
9. Willingness to share your own culture, skills and ideas while engaging in community life.

Specific to each placement:

Working closely with elderly:
Enthusiasm for organizing activities and being aware of some physical limitations; introducing the intercultural exchange element on it.
Sensitivity and being proactive
Open-minded attitude
A positive "can-do" attitude and a willingness to help wherever needed - helping your tutors organise something, for example
Initiative to learn and practice basic Portuguese, as they won’t be able to speak in English
Following the indications of your tutor for specific situations
Bring simple and comfortable clothing and shoes.
Never take photos or share stories on social media.
Punctuality

Working in cafeterias:
Initiative to learn and practice basic Portuguese
Initiative to learn how to do different types of Portuguese coffees
Proactive and dynamic
Being approachable, friendly, patient, and able to communicate clearly with diverse groups.
Punctuality

Working with our partner in a hospital and with communication:
Interest in the arts and creative expression: Including visual arts, illustration, art education, and design.
Social sensitivity and empathy: Especially regarding relationships with children and young people facing illness, vulnerability, or prolonged hospital stays.
Communication skills and active listening: The ability to create a safe, positive, and encouraging environment for children’s emotional expression.
Collaborative spirit: To work in coordination with the "Pedrinhas" team and support the project psychologist in developing the sessions.
Creativity and initiative: Contributing to artistic activities that stimulate the participants' imagination and self-esteem.
Emotional maturity and responsibility: Essential qualities for working within a hospital setting.
- Preferred Qualifications for the 4th option:
We particularly value candidates with a background or interest in arts, education, psychology, social intervention, or art therapy, as well as previous experience in volunteering, community projects, or working with children.

Obdobie činnosti

A total of 13 week(s) during the period 01/05/2026 to 31/07/2026

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Miesto činnosti

Rua General Humberto Delgado, 21, Lousã, Portugalsko

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Druh činnosti

Individuálna dobrovoľnícka činnosť

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Záujem o účastníkov z týchto krajín

Albánsko, Belgicko, Bulharsko, Chorvátsko, Cyprus, Dánsko, Estónsko, Francúzsko, Fínsko, Grécko, Holandsko, Litva, Lotyšsko, Malta, Maďarsko, Moldavsko, Nemecko, Nórsko, Poľsko, Rakúsko, Rumunsko, Slovensko, Slovinsko, Taliansko, Česko, Španielsko, Švédsko

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Témy aktivít

Social challenges

Health and wellbeing

Education and training

Creativity and culture

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Lehota na podávanie prihlášok

Lehota na podanie prihlášky nie je stanovená

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Kód projektu

2025-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000346301