The great Y: YMCA-Volunteering in the Netherlands

Activity description

YMCA Netherlands invites two European Solidarity Corps volunteers for a twelve-month programme in the Dutch city of The Hague. YMCA offers a wide array of work for the volunteers. They'll primarily be working from a social restaurant/ music school of , near the seaside, and in various youth-work activities in the city of The Hague. Volunteers will also help with various summer activities, including summer camps and game/ sport activities, and in support of the international programmes of YMCA Netherlands. Volunteers will be mentored throughout the entire year. Each will have a personal mentor. This mentor will support with their self-development and overall progress in the project. Volunteers are also challenged to set up their own project. They can choose to set up workshops, youth activities, campaigns or something totally different based on a subject they're interested in! In this effort they will be supported by their mentors and project coordinators.

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

Two volunteers will be staying in a apartment in the city centre of The Hague. In this appartment they have the opportunity to cook for themselves. The volunteers receive adequate funds on top of their pocket money to help them buy and prepare their own food. In traditional fashion, participants will be expected to cycle to and from diverse work places, although The Hague also has a strong tram-system as an alternative.

Training during the activity

Upon arrival the participants receive a string of trainings to help them settle within the Netherlands and the YMCA. This will include an introduction to Dutch culture and habits, Dutch food, public transport, the YMCA and the basics of youth work. On their work places, they'll receive further trainings. Volunteers can also participate in other trainings offered by YMCA The Hague and YMCA The Netherlands, with topics ranging from working with children, to project management and communication. Please note that having control of the Dutch language opens up a lot of new trainings to attend.

Participant profile

YMCA Netherlands looks for two volunteers aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the Netherlands. Work consists of many larger and smaller activities in restaurant- and youth work activities. Volunteers are expected to move between these independently. An independent spirit and willingness to blend in in the mostly-Dutch-language environment are also important Volunteer in this project: - Are able to work with both elderly and children - Are willing to work in multiple different workplaces - Are eager, enthusiastic and creative - Are willing to learn Dutch - Interest in music in appreciated

Activity dates

A total of 52 week(s) during the period 01/02/2024 to 31/01/2025

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Activity location

2584BK The Hague Netherlands

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 Individual volunteering

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Looking for participants from

Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Moldova (Republic of), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Russian Federation, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Kosovo * UN resolution, British Antarctic Territory, Anguilla, Aruba, Saint Barthélemy, Bermuda, Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba, Canary Islands, Curaçao, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Greenland, Guadeloupe, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Saint Martin (french part), Martinique, Montserrat, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Pitcairn, Réunion, Saint Helena, Sint Maarten (dutch part), Turks and Caicos Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Virgin Islands (British), Wallis and Futuna

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Activity topics

Social challenges

Health and wellbeing

Education and training

Creativity and culture

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Deadline for applications

Application deadline: 04/01/2024

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