Providing care, support and
activities for autistic and disabled children
Nea Makri
Volunteer project: In the framework of this project, international volunteers will cooperate with the House for Children in Nea Makri, which was established in 1953. Currently, the House hosts 105 children, teenagers and young adults with various disabilities and their age ranges from 3 to 30 years. Most of the children suffer from autism, meaning they have difficulties with normal communication, cognitive ability, social behavior, motor skills and sensory integration. Also children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as children with social problems are hosted by the House. The children, depending on the type of disorder, age and needs, attend the kindergarten, the workshops (pottery, catering, decoration-crafts, weaving & daily living), or the boarding home (open 24h/365days). Some of the therapies and activities offered in the House are logotherapy, ergotherapy, music therapy, psychoanalysis and others. The program aims to support the improvement of the conditions and care of the children in the daily routine of the House. The active group of volunteers will support the staff and additionally organise alternative free time activities for the children.
Volunteer work: The volunteers will
be involved in the following activities:
1. Providing company and support to the children and young people hosted
in the House;
2. Assisting the staff during the program of the day;
3. Supporting the professional staff in different workshops (e.g.
providing supervision, guidance,
help, etc.)
The volunteers will be split in two small groups. The
first group (of 4 participants) will work Monday to Friday, in the
morning and early afternoon, for around 6-7 hours. This group will support the professional staff in
various workshops. The volunteers will also have the opportunity to
participate in afternoon activities with the children and young people.
Volunteers in the second group (2 participants) will work Wednesday to
Sunday (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 3:00pm until 10:00pm),
(Saturday & Sunday one person from the group starts at 7:00am until
1:00pm and the other starts at 2:00pm until 10:00pm). This group will
support the staff in the boarding home.
On special occasions and events of the House, especially during holidays or for day trips, you can be asked to work different hours. Volunteers are entitled to two working days holiday per month as long as it is at a convenient time agreed with the program coordinator.
Free time: Volunteers will have many places around to visit in their free time - Athens, Marathonas (classic marathon), Rafina, etc.
Profile of the volunteer: It is important for the volunteers to know that they will work together with the staff of the House. Volunteers should be patient and resistant to psychological stress and ready to help with a smile, love and creative proposals. The project is challenging and of much importance. It is the kind of work that constitutes life experience. Previous experience with disabled persons will be appreciated but it is not obligatory. Working language is English (Greek knowledge welcome).
Number of participants: 6
Language: English
Duration of the project: Minimum stay is 2 months. Arrival is on the first Monday of the month. The program is running until June 30, 2013.
Documents to be submitted: A motivation letter should be sent along with the application form. Volunteers who are accepted in the program will have to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Accommodation: The volunteers will be lodged in guest-rooms of the House, in rooms of max. four.
Location: The House for Children is located in the town of Nea Makri (500m from the town centre and 700m from the beach), in the district of Attica (north-east from Athens). Nea Makri is a town of 15.000 inhabitants, about 1 hour from Athens downtown. There is a regular connection between Nea Makri and Athens by bus (the bus station is just outside the House).
Age range: 21 - 40 years old
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Recovery and rehabilitation
program for people with disabilities
Skaramagas
Volunteer project: In the framework of this project, international volunteers will cooperate with a Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre for people with disabilities, which is part of one of the oldest public welfare organizations under the Greek Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance and Welfare. Currently, the Centre hosts 32 teenagers, youngsters and adults ranging from 11 to 48 years with serious multiple disabilities. Most of the residents suffer from mental retardation and/or physical disabilities, autism and other serious forms of intellectual disabilities, meaning they have multiple difficulties with normal communication, cognitive ability, social behaviour, motor skills and sensory integration. The personnel of the Centre comprises of 22 people, including nurses, providing mainly rehabilitation work, training in life tasks such as personal hygiene, psychological and social support. The centre also provides therapies and activities that help to reach the highest potential. It also runs a "real life simulation" program with the aim to help those with less serious disabilities to develop social skills and gradually integrate into society. The program aims to support the improvement of the conditions and care for the residents in the daily routine of the centre. The volunteers will support the staff and help organise alternative free time activities.
Volunteer work: The volunteers will
be involved in the following activities:
1. Providing company and support to the young people and adults hosted
in the Centre (under the guidance of the staff of the centre)
2. Assisting the employees during the daily routine of the young people
and adults
3. Supporting the professional staff in the "simulation program",
helping young people and adults in socializing
4. Assisting in recreation and creative activities (e.g. playground
inside the centre, walking outside, day visits, etc.)
Volunteers will be working 5 days per week, 6 hours a day, sometimes Saturdays and Sundays, having two days off each week. Working hours can be during the afternoon hours. On special occasions and events of the Centre, especially during the holidays (Easter, etc.), you may be asked to work different hours. Volunteers are entitled to two working days holiday per month as long as it is at a convenient time agreed with the program coordinator.
There will be an introduction-training session in the first week with the mentor and the person in charge of the institution.
Free time: Volunteers have many places around to visit in their free time - Elefsina, Piraeus, Athens, etc.
Profile of the volunteer: This is a special and challenging project which is of much importance. Helping people with multiple disabilities who are institutionalised and following their routine can be a challenge. But it's definitely worth it, and it constitutes a valuable life experience. You will return from your volunteer project knowing you helped make people's daily life better and brighter, you assisted a rehabilitation centre with many needs and that you made friendships that can last a lifetime. The meaning of such volunteer work for the people living in and the professional staff of the centre is immeasurable. It is important for the volunteers to know that they will work together with the staff of the Centre. Volunteers should be committed, patient and resistant to psychological stress, eager to help with a smile, love and creative proposals. Previous experience with disabled people is not mandatory but is highly desirable. Working language is English (Greek knowledge welcome).
The volunteer must be mature and motivation driven, an excellent communicator, flexible and completely reliable. The volunteer must be interested in people and have the confidence and ability to develop relationships with a wide range of people. Willingness to work with young adults and adults with disabilities is essential, as well as being cheerful and friendly. The volunteer also needs to be able to inspire confidence and trust in the people he/she is working with. In addition, the volunteer will need to be self reliant, independent and be able to amuse themselves.
Number of participants: 3
Language: English
Duration of the project: Minimum stay is two months. The program is running from March 4 to June 30, 2013.
Documents to be submitted: A motivation letter should be sent along with the application form. Volunteers who are accepted in the program will have to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Accommodation: The volunteers will be lodged in the Centre, in rooms of two. Volunteers should bear in mind that the Centre's facilities are adapted for youngsters with serious disabilities and designed to guarantee their safety.
Location: The Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre for people with disabilities is located near the Industrial Park of Shisto, in the area of Skaramagas, about 15 km from Athens centre and 8 km from Piraeus. The Centre is 6 km away from the town of Elefsina (the ancient historic town of Eleusis), near the Gulf of Elefsina, in the district of West Attica, northwest from Athens. Skaramagas is an area with shipyards, with around 2.600 inhabitants. Elefsina is a town of 25.863 residents, about 20 km from Athens downtown. There is a regular bus connection every hour between Sxisto and Piraeus (55 minutes ride, and there's a bus-station near the Centre), and there is a variety of transportation connecting Piraeus to Athens (train, buses, tram, etc.).
Age range: 21 - 40 years old
Participation fee: $590 CAD
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