from 2,120€

Good 4.2rating (69)

Special Needs Assistance

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Good 4.2  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Customized Care for Impact! Make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities through tailored support
  • Learn about the Culture! By spending time with the staff and the beneficiaries, you will imerse yourself in greek culture
  • Collaborative Teamwork! Work alongside a dedicated team of local staff and fellow volunteers
  • Empowering Personal Growth! Through your involvement, help children expand their horizons and enjoy a more enriching, interactive life
  • Empowering Abilities! Support children with special needs in discovering and developing their unique talents and capabilities

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families

About the program

Challenge stereotypes and break down barriers surrounding disability, creating meaningful and memorable experiences along the way!

Join the Special Needs Support Program in Greece! This program is dedicated to providing individualized care for people living with mental or physical disabilities, whose access to the outside world has been limited. The program takes place in a serene environment surrounded by nature, just a breath ...

About the program

Join the Special Needs Support Program in Greece! This program is dedicated to providing individualized care for people living with mental or physical disabilities, whose access to the outside world has been limited. The program takes place in a serene environment surrounded by nature, just a breath away from the beach, where the activity center is located alongside their school, kitchen, laundry, and playground.

As a volunteer, you will be responsible for helping children and young adults spend their time in a creative and enjoyable way. You’ll work closely with a team of local staff and volunteers to organize and run a variety of activities, both outdoors and indoors. These activities include swimming at the beach, playing sports, organizing cinema and bowling visits, as well as conducting arts and crafts workshops, cooking sessions, and supporting social integration efforts.

No previous experience or training is required to participate in this project. However, you will need patience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to build trust with the individuals you support. Your role will be crucial in helping them find their own ways of communication, often overcoming language barriers.

What to Expect:

  • Creative Activity Support: Help children and young adults engage in creative and enjoyable activities that enrich their lives.

  • Outdoor Activities: Organize and participate in activities such as swimming at the beach, sports, and outings like cinema and bowling visits.

  • Indoor Activities: Lead arts and crafts workshops, cooking sessions, and other indoor activities that promote creativity and skill development.

  • Social Integration Support: Assist in activities aimed at improving social skills and integrating individuals into the community.

  • Collaborative Environment: Work alongside local staff and volunteers, contributing to a supportive and inclusive environment.

Daily Tasks:

  • Support Outdoor Activities: Help organize and participate in beach outings, sports, and visits to the cinema and bowling alleys.

  • Lead Indoor Workshops: Conduct arts and crafts, cooking sessions, and other indoor activities that foster creativity and engagement.

  • Promote Social Integration: Assist in activities that encourage social interaction and integration into the broader community.

  • Engage with Participants: Spend quality time with children and young adults, building trust and finding effective ways to communicate.

Why Join?

  • Make an Impact: Improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing access to enriching activities and social opportunities.

  • Gain Experience: Develop skills in special needs care, activity planning, and social integration.

  • Cultural Immersion: Experience the natural beauty and culture of Crete while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Minimum Duration: 4 weeks

Ready to Help Individuals with Disabilities Access the World?


Typical day

After the initial orientation, you will join the morning or afternoon shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that the starting times and daily workload can vary depending on the schedule of each specific project. A typical daily schedule will look ...

Typical day

After the initial orientation, you will join the morning or afternoon shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that the starting times and daily workload can vary depending on the schedule of each specific project. A typical daily schedule will look as follows:

 

07:30 am – 11:30 am | Breakfast at the volunteer’s accommodation

10:00 am – 13:30 pm | (1)Travel to project, by metro or bus, to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have an afternoon project (depending on the program place it takes 30-45 minutes by bus)

13:30 pm | Enjoy your lunch at the accommodation

02:30 pm – 07:30 pm | (1) Travel to project, by metro or bus, to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have a morning project (depending on the program place it takes 30-45 minutes by bus)

19:30 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner at the accommodation. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.


Free-time activities

Athens is the historical capital of Europe, the birthplace of democracy, arts, science and philosophy of western civilisation and Home of Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus.  Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities but, today, under the shadow of Parthenon, the ...

Free-time activities

Athens is the historical capital of Europe, the birthplace of democracy, arts, science and philosophy of western civilisation and Home of Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus.  Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities but, today, under the shadow of Parthenon, the contemporary urban scenery of the sprawling city reflects its exciting history, its multicultural modern personality as well as the infrastructure and facilities.

The perfect Mediterranean climate with the legendary Greek sunlight, the unique combination of glorious history with modern, urban innovation, the coexistence of great culture with astonishing natural beauty.

You will have so much to discover during your program… Enjoy your free mornings or afternoons as well as the weekends to explore all the city has to offer!


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by ImpacTrip

Pick up from the international airport & transfer to the accommodation on Sundays

Accommodation at a female or mixed-gender shared room in a hostel

Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)

Shared use of common spaces, gorgeous terrace, and free WIFI

Orientation event on arrival (including introduction to Greece and its culture, volunteer experience, overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)

Guided city tour

The best tips to discover the city!

Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project

Introduction on the first day of volunteering

Ongoing support throughout the stay

24h/7 emergency support

Airport Pickup at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on their face! :)

If you arrive prior to Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.

 

We will reach out to you by WhatsApp a few days before your start date to connect.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay accommodated in a youth hostel located in the heart of Athens, only a 5-minute from Omonia Square where the second most central metro stop is, right next to Psirri neighborhood and a 30 minute walk to Acropolis. The neighborhood offers everything you will need, supermarkets, bars, local coffee shops, shopping malls, ATMs, access to all transportation means. The airport is just 45 minutes away by public transportation.

 

This youth hostel has dormitory-style rooms accommodating from 8-10 participants (female and mixed) and private rooms (available for upgrades upon request. Bathrooms are in each room and shared with the rest of the people in your room).

The hostel offers a bar area and sitting area, a communal kitchen for those that want to cook and also rooms with balconies to relax and a rooftop with the most amazing views of Acropolis.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at the hostel every day.

The menu consists of local food, a mixture of meat, fish and fresh vegetables and everyday the volunteers can try various meals made in Greek style. In case of diet restrictions such as vegan and vegetarians, gluten-free and lactose intolerant the hostel can accommodate your needs, after informing them in advance. Breakfast is served in buffet style and includes cereal, yogurt, seasonal fruits, jams, honey, bread, cakes/cookies, milk, tea, coffee, juices, eggs, cheese

Food & Beverages

We will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hostel every day. The hostel restaurant offers meals with fresh local ingredients for all volunteers in a very Greek style and they are prepared to accommodate most diet restrictions such as vegan and vegetarians, gluten-free and lactose intolerant.


Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) in Athens. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Our Greek programs start on the Sunday before the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month AND every Sunday from May to the end of August.


Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 2,120€
5 weeks 2,485€
6 weeks 2,850€
7 weeks 3,215€
8 weeks 3,580€
9 weeks 3,945€
10 weeks 4,310€
11 weeks 4,675€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,040€
Average fees 475€/week

Program fees

475€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with ImpacTrip during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

ImpacTrip

Good 4.2 rating (69 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2015

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Cristiana

Spoken languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English

About the project

ImpacTrip is a social enterprise that promotes Responsible Travel Experiences in Portugal, Spain and Croatia.

Meet your organization

ImpacTrip is a social business internationally certified as B-Corp that promotes Responsible Travel Experiences in Portugal, Spain and Croatia.

Founded in 2015 by two dedicated social entrepreneurs that want to change the way people travel, ImpacTrip aims at combining the best of travel with a positive social and environmental impact.

We really want travelers to have the most unique and meaningful travel experiences.

We offer short-term Travel Experiences across our country that allow you and other Responsible Travelers to connect with the locals, experience the culture and contribute in a positive way to the local communities.

We also offer long-term volunteer programs in which you can dedicate 1 to 12 weeks volunteering for local non-profits for a specific cause while meeting people from all over the world.

Since 2015 we've received people from over 50+ different nationalities that contributed with over 30.000 hours of volunteer work to support over 300 non-profits.

69 reviews · rating4.2

Alba Gala Torrero rating5

2024 at Youth Supporter

I recommend this experience to absolutely anyone, it was the best of my life. The first week my placement was in a Skatepark in Cascais, so I had to catch a train and then a bus. Although it was good and the commute was fine, I didn't feel comfortable at the beggining so I asked to switch to a ...
Martin Hag rating3.6

2024 at Environmental Scuba Diving

The people working there were really supportive and genuinely wish for you to have a good experience. My first day was an introduction to the area, possibility to get help with the tickets for the public transports and a guided tour of Lisbon. They also have communication chats for you to contact ...
Thomas Payne rating3.2

2024 at Animal Care and Protection

Honestly, I was surprised, when on the website it shows photos of so many dogs, animals, it turned out I was working at a cat sanctuary. It's not that I was disappointed by the cats, it was just a shock, and also, at points of the sanctuary I feel like I wasn't apart of it massively, there wasn't ...
Isabel Hager rating2.6

2024 at Environmental Scuba Diving

Here’s a more formal and assertive version of your feedback: After months of requesting a detailed schedule for our diving experience, we only received the information after all payments had already been made. To pay €1,500 for a week, only to end up with just four dives, is completely ...
Louise Rivet rating1.8

2024 at English Teaching to the community

Unfortunately, my experience was not the best one. The lodging was too far from the project; we had to travel almost two hours to get there. The classes were not organized. After one week, and following my request, I was assigned to a school which was fine but still one hour bus and metro to get ...
Will Slocum rating4.6

2023 at Fight Food Waste

I had an amazing 2 weeks volunteering at a food waste redistribution kitchen in Barcelona and am very grateful to have had this experience! The ImpactTrip supervisors, Clara and Elly, were super welcoming from the train station pickup and at orientation, where they set me up with everything I needed ...

Location


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Contact Cristiana
  Very high response rate
Portuguese, Spanish, English

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