Ayuntamiento de Almazán

descripción de la organización:

Almazán is a municipality in the province of Soria, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. With a population of approximately 6,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populated municipality in the province. t is a rural area mainly dedicated to agriculture. The town lies on the east bank of the Duero river. It is surrounded by contrast landscapes: beautiful pine and oak forest, cereal plains, canyons ands steppe areas. Each landscape changes every season. It is an incredible place for trekking, fishing, hunting and mushroom lovers. It has a Mediterranean climate conditioned by its height (960m). It is 30 minutes from Soria and 90 minutes from Madrid by car.

The Town Council of Almazán is in charge of the administration and functioning of the municipality. In particular, the Youth and Festivities Commission aims to promote the participation of young people in all areas, cultural exchange and European values, to spread the environmental wealth and to support the most disadvantaged groups of young people. The City Council is firmly committed to participating in the European Solidarity Corps by welcoming volunteers. It has already done in the past, and by making the programme known to local young people so that they can have the opportunity to participate in the programme.

The presence of volunteers belonging to the European Solidarity Corps programme supports the City Council in its objectives, among others: - dissemination of European projects - attraction of talent and creativity of young people to collaborate in projects in the municipality - interaction of the local population with young people from other countries or other areas of Spain - knowledge of customs from other countries or regions of Spain - promotion of the municipality at national/international level through the experience of the volunteers - establishment of bonds of friendship between the inhabitants of the municipality and the volunteers - increased cooperation and mobility - revitalisation of the town as young people arrive in the area - indirect impact on businesses in the area - collaboration in the dissemination of local policies and campaigns. Volunteering in Almazán allows young people to acquire experiences, skills and competences useful for their personal, educational, social and professional development, improving as a person and increasing their employability.

The Town Council currently has volunteers, belonging to the local population, in most of its facilities, including the old people's home, the old people's home, the social action centre, and the cultural centre, as well as volunteers who support during festivals, fairs and other events taking place in the municipality or who collaborate with NGOs such as Caritas and Red Cross. It has host international volunteers as well. It has experience in working and coordinating with volunteers. In 2017 it received accreditation as a European Voluntary Service host organisation and has received 8 volunteers in the last three years from different nationalities.

Volunteers will be involved in activities at local level with children, teenagers and elderly: 1. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Residence, a public nursing home. It has 96 places. It has 36 employees. There are 4 volunteers, belonging to the Daughters of Charity, who work on a voluntary basis in the residence. Young people from the secondary school also volunteer on an occasional basis. 2. Tirso de Molina Cultural Centre, of a public nature. It houses the Public Library, the municipal music school, the telecentre, classrooms, workshops, exhibition spaces and a covered patio for gatherings and recreation for children and young people. 3 Educational centres: English and French assistants and support for recreational activities at the Gaya Nuño Institute, and the Calasancio and Diego Laynez schools. 4 Educational centres: support in the Calasancio School in a classroom where there is a child with special needs 5. Adult education: support for adults in languages, literacy, computing and other activities. Volunteers will be able to collaborate in other activities such as the football school, tourist office, Carnival activities, Fairs, Red Cross summer camps, etc.

Some tasks of the volunteers will be:
- Assist elderly in their daily routines
- Take a walk with elderly
- Help people with disability in the exercises of mobility
- Sociocultural animation
- Gardening
- Crafting and drawing
- Support in the toy library
- Support English or French classes
- Support in the Primary and secondary school
- Support with computers to adults
- Organising activities for kids/youth during free time
- Activities in the volunteer mother tongue.

Volunteers shall have an interest in social work in the area of old-age care and kids. The volunteer should be communicative, open, cheerful and motivated to work in a team. They must be motivated to leave in a rural area.