Accompanying and supporting people with disabilities in their daily life

Tania came from Italy to volunteer in Austria when she was 18. During almost a year, she supported and accompanied people with disabilities in their everyday lives with Evangelisches Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen Austria.

🎤 What type of impact did your engagement have on the local community where you were active?

"During my voluntary service, I supported the residential group team as best I could. I accompanied and supported people with disabilities in their everyday lives. I believe that working with me has made my colleagues more open-minded to working with EU volunteers."

🎤 How has volunteering contributed to your personal growth, professional development, or overall outlook on life?

"Voluntary service was my first experience of living independently, without my parents, and my first long stay in a foreign country. Thanks to this experience, I found my career path and, what's more, I found a new home here. After my voluntary service, I completed my training as a certified social worker for people with disabilities in Gallneukirchen and continued to work in the same residential group alongside my training. That’s where I’m still working."

🎤 Why do you believe volunteering is important?

"I believe that voluntary service is an important opportunity for (young) people to try something new and learn about new things. It offers the chance to immerse yourself in a perhaps unfamiliar field, take on a challenge, find new friends and build a network. And sometimes it might be the place where you will stay, find a job/your passion and start a family."

Updated on Dienstag, 14/04/2026