Cur síos ar an eagraíocht

Siza is a care institution for children, young people and adults with a physical, mental or multiple handicap(s) and brain damage. Siza has more than 50 locations, which are all based in Gelderland, one of the Dutch provinces. The aim of Siza is to support handicapped people in the best possible way, so they can live their lives as independently as possible, with specific attention for their talents and abilities. Siza provides:
• support at home (e.g. for parents with a handicapped child)
• residential care (clients living in one of Siza’s locations, for a few hours, a few days or 24/7)
• tailored day programmes (working or other activities)
• holiday facilities (travel agency, yaught, camp site & bungalows)
Siza has approx. 3000 employees, which can roughly be divided into two groups:
1. staff that is involved with the care for the clients (personal carers, physiotherapists, activity guides, nurses etc.)
2. management & administrative staff
Together with 650 volunteers, the staff provides tailored care to more than 3000 clients.
Since 2003, Siza has hosted 3 or 4 foreign volunteers for a 10-month period. Most of these volunteers were co-financed by EVS, but we also give German boys the opportunity for doing their civil service with us. We would like to continue our involvement with EVS for the following reasons: Siza is largely dependent on volunteers to give the clients extra, individual attention and to do nice things with them. So every extra pair of hands is very welcome. What we appreciate about the EVS volunteers is that they can work with a specific client group fulltime and for a longer period. In this way the clients, the volunteers and the staff can really get to know each other, and build a strong relationship. We know from experience that working with foreign volunteers is challenging because of the language barrier & cultural differences. Nevertheless, we believe that it is important for everyone involved (our clients, the staff and the volunteers themselves) to broaden their view of the world, to stimulate them to be more open and tolerant towards different cultures and to learn from each other.
We are the Hosting organisation in this project, and this ia a follow up of already 10 years. last year we start working with CO Rock Solid. Next to that in the HO Siza is also a lot of experience because we already host EVS since 2003, there is a coordinator and mentor, and also in the groups where the EVS people are working they are used to guiding and mentoring. In Rock solid they will have contact on weekly bases with the volunteers and help and support them in having a good atmosphere in work and in private life. We are very happy, and so are the volunteers :), the work in the different houses is going very well and the wellbeing of all the participating partners is very good.