What is the idea of the project?
The project is based on several important ideas. The volunteer works not only with older people but also with children and young people. From Monday to Friday, the volunteer maintains regular contact with the participants.
One of the main aims is to introduce participants to another culture and encourage intercultural exchange. It is important to learn about other cultures and understand that differences exist even when the volunteer comes from a country located close to Poland. Older people may not have the opportunity to travel, but through meetings and conversations with the volunteer, they can learn more about another country. This is a new experience for both older people and children.
Another important aim is to help the volunteer develop new skills. The volunteer leads activities for older people, children and people with disabilities. This provides an opportunity to learn how to prepare and conduct activities adapted to the needs of different groups. The volunteer also improves organisational skills and learns how to prepare lesson plans and share knowledge with participants.
Each institution has its own working methods. One example is a points system used with children. Children receive points for completing different tasks. For example, a child who completes homework correctly and without assistance may receive 10 points. At the end of the week, the three children with the highest scores receive a small reward. At the end of the month, the participants with the best results may take part in an additional activity, such as a visit to the cinema.
The experience and methods learned during the project may help the volunteer in the future. If the volunteer chooses to work with children or older people, the knowledge gained during the project will provide valuable preparation. The project can also help the volunteer decide on future studies or a career path. At the end of the project, the volunteer may discover a preference for working with older people, children, both groups or neither of them.
During the project, the volunteer receives a monthly budget covering transport, a Polish mobile phone subscription, food and pocket money. The volunteer also has a Polish bank account, opened with the support of the coordinator. This provides an opportunity to learn how to plan expenses and manage money throughout the month.
The volunteer not only shares knowledge but also gains new knowledge and experience. The volunteer learns Polish at university and through the Online Linguistic Support platform, known as OLS. In addition to learning the language, the volunteer learns how to live in a foreign country. Each country functions differently, and the volunteer gradually learns how to integrate into a new environment.
To support this process, the volunteer participates in an on-arrival training course in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. During the training, the volunteer meets other people carrying out European Solidarity Corps projects in Poland.
The volunteer also encourages young people to consider volunteering in the future. Sharing personal experiences may motivate children and young people to leave their familiar surroundings, become more independent and take part in an unforgettable international experience.
Karima from Luxembourg
European Solidarity Corps volunteer at the Centrum Usług Społecznych in 2019–2020
What are the volunteer’s tasks?
The volunteer performs a variety of tasks and works with both younger and older people. The volunteer is also required to follow the rules and responsibilities of the project.
One of the main tasks is to prepare and deliver presentations and educational activities for project participants. Most presentations and activities are conducted in English, so a basic command of the language is helpful. However, the volunteer does not need to be an expert.
The presentations usually concern the volunteer’s country and culture. Their purpose is to show the differences and similarities between the volunteer’s culture and Polish culture. This helps participants learn about and better understand other cultures.
The volunteer also takes part in activities organised for older people and children. The work is carried out in five different locations. Two of them provide support for children, while the remaining locations offer activities for older people.
The volunteer supports staff members and spends time with project participants. The volunteer works from Monday to Friday and has free time at weekends. This time may be used to travel around Poland, explore new places and develop social relationships.
Another task is to write articles for the website of the Centrum Usług Społecznych in Swarzędz and for the local newspaper. The articles are translated into Polish by the coordinator.
The volunteer may also participate in television interviews. The interview can be conducted in English or Polish, depending on the volunteer’s language skills and preferences. The questions are provided approximately one week in advance so that the volunteer has time to prepare.
The volunteer also learns Polish during classes at university. The volunteer may choose between two 90-minute lessons per week or one three-hour lesson per week.
The volunteer also receives access to the Online Linguistic Support platform. The platform is available to participants in European programmes and can be used at any convenient time. The time spent learning on the platform is recorded.
The volunteer is required to participate in an on-arrival training course and a mid-term meeting. The on-arrival training takes place near the beginning of the project. During a one-week stay in Warsaw, the volunteer meets other volunteers carrying out projects in Poland. Participants come from different countries and cultural backgrounds.
The training provides an opportunity to ask questions, receive support with the project and learn how to adapt to life in Poland. Volunteers can also exchange experiences and make new friends.
The mid-term meeting usually takes place halfway through the project. During the meeting in Toruń, the volunteer meets other participants and can discuss questions or difficulties related to the project and the new environment. It is also an opportunity to establish new contacts, learn from the experiences of others and compare different volunteering projects.
Karima from Luxembourg
European Solidarity Corps volunteer at the Centrum Usług Społecznych in 2019–2020
What does the volunteer receive from the host organisation?
After applying for the project and being accepted, the volunteer may have many questions. These may concern travelling to Poland, the support available during the project and living independently in a new country.
Even if there is only one volunteer taking part in the project, the volunteer is not left alone. Support is provided by both a coordinator and a mentor.
The mentor is not directly involved in the volunteer’s daily work. The volunteer and mentor agree how often they will meet. The coordinator works directly with the volunteer and is involved in the project and its activities. Before arriving in Poland, the volunteer is already in contact with the coordinator, who provides information and practical support.
The coordinator may help the volunteer find the best way to travel to Poznań. The volunteer may also contact other volunteers whose details are provided by the coordinator. This is an opportunity to gain confidence, ask questions and learn how to organise international travel.
After the volunteer arrives, the coordinator provides support and explains the local surroundings. During the first days, the volunteer receives assistance with obtaining a public transport card, a Polish mobile phone and the funds provided under the project. The volunteer is also shown the accommodation where they will normally stay until the end of the project.
The volunteer is encouraged to become familiar with the neighbourhood and learn how to move around independently. The coordinator shows the volunteer how to reach the workplace and university. Afterwards, the volunteer can travel independently by bus or tram.
Every month, the volunteer receives money divided into several parts. The budget covers transport, a mobile phone subscription, food and pocket money. The funds are provided at the beginning of each month, allowing the volunteer to plan expenses and manage the monthly budget.
Being the only volunteer in the organisation may initially seem difficult, but the project offers many opportunities to meet other people. It helps the volunteer develop social skills and learn how to integrate into an unfamiliar culture.
Successful integration requires openness and a willingness to understand local customs. The volunteer does not need to abandon personal habits but can combine them with elements of Polish culture. Adaptation may take time, but as the volunteer becomes more comfortable, meeting people and establishing relationships becomes easier.
The project also provides an opportunity to develop self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. During activities, the volunteer speaks in front of groups of people. Although this may initially cause shyness, regular practice helps the volunteer become increasingly confident and comfortable with participants.
The volunteer is responsible for preparing activities and following the rules of both the workplace and the accommodation. These experiences support the development of independence, responsibility and organisational skills.
Karima from Luxembourg
European Solidarity Corps volunteer at the Centrum Usług Społecznych in 2019–2020