Volunteering with children with multiple disabilities

Overview

Support children with severe disabilities!

Join our volunteer team at the children’s day hospital, where you'll play a key role in promoting adapted activities, stimulating children, and helping them engage with their surroundings to grow joyfully despite their challenges.

Collaborate with professionals to design your own games, create adapted crafts, and have fun while caring for babies and children aged 3 months to 10 years. You'll also assist with the material bank, providing essential resources for families with children facing multiple mental and physical disabilities.

Poverty and vulnerability are major issues in our local partner NGO’s neighborhood. As a volunteer, you will primarily support underprivileged children by offering them engaging, fun activities while assisting social workers and staff members. We work closely with local medical and therapeutic services, as well as other NGOs in Barcelona, to provide advice and collaboration opportunities.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Day 1, Sunday: Upon arrival at the airport (for flights landing between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM), a volunteer from the team will meet you and assist you with settling into your room and designated space.

Day 2, Monday: Start your experience with a welcome interview with your project coordinator, an introduction to your workspace, and an overview of the NGO's mission, focusing on severe multiple disabilities. You will also meet the volunteer team, attend a Spanish class, and participate in a climbing class.

Day 3, Tuesday: Visit to the hospital for a meeting with the medical team and an introduction to the children. You’ll attend your first training session on multiple disabilities and assist during lunchtime. In the afternoon, you’ll help facilitate planned activities such as crafts, dance, and a treasure hunt. The day concludes with a meditation workshop.

Day 4, Wednesday: Engage in guided volunteering with the children and assess the adaptability of the planned activities. Enjoy lunch at the NGO with fellow volunteers. In the afternoon, attend training on the NGO’s operations, a Spanish class, and a personal development workshop.

Day 5, Thursday: Continue with guided volunteering and the planned activities with the children. Lunch at the NGO with other volunteers. In the afternoon, assist in preparing the materials needed for upcoming activities.

Day 6, Friday: Participate in guided volunteering with the children and planned activities. Lunch at the NGO with other volunteers. In the afternoon, take part in a workshop on emotional intelligence and community actions.

Saturday and Sunday: Free days to explore and enjoy Barcelona.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers in the program generally perform the following tasks -

Assist with the logistical support for the NGO’s activities, including food, therapies, excursions, and events
Organize educational materials and spaces
Plan and prepare recreational and educational activities and games
Handle communication and fundraising efforts
Provide support for families of children and babies
Prepare meals and cook for the community
Ensure cleaning and disinfection of safe spaces

Volunteers will work 35 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a one-hour break each day. Weekends are free for exploring the city of Barcelona!

Project Requirement

Volunteers in this program should be adaptable, patient, and maintain a positive outlook. Participants must be at least 18 years old when joining. A willingness to embrace new environments and a flexible mindset are essential for success in this role. Volunteers are also required to submit a clean criminal background check before starting the program. A basic to intermediate level of Spanish is necessary for participation, and a background in special education is considered a valuable asset.

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Volunteer with children with multiple disabilities in Barcelona, Spain with Volunteering Solutions

Living

Airport Transfer
The project site is in Barcelona, Spain. When you land in Barcelona, a local representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign that says your name and will take you directly to your accommodation. Airport pickup is provided between 10am – 6pm on the program arrival date, which has to be Sunday.

Orientation
Participants are given an induction on arrival and welcome interview in the next few days to be able to plan the volunteering and the program.

Accommodation and Meals
Participants in the program can book their own accommodation at a hotel, hostel or apartment in Barcelona. Accommodation is not provided in the program. We can give suggestions and recommendations for accommodation options close to the project but participants need to book them on their own. Barcelona is one of the most visited cities by tourists from around the world and there are many accommodation options to choose from. Lunch is provided from Monday to Friday at the project location.

During your Free Time
Barcelona is one of the most visited places from tourists and travellers around the world. There is plenty to see and do. The local team offers the services of a tourist guide with recommendations of local places to eat and to visit. Some outdoors trips and activities can be self-organised so the volunteers can enjoy Barcelona and other nearby areas.

To make the most of the weekend, the Costa Brava, only an hour and a half from Barcelona, boasts charming and picturesque seaside towns such as Cadaqués, Platja d'Aro, and Tossa de Mar. Meanwhile, the volunteer work will be focused in the Nou Barris district, known for its significant immigrant population, many of whom face challenging circumstances.

Dates

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$830
2 Weeks	$1499
3 Weeks	$2099
4 Weeks	$2699
5 Weeks	$3299
6 Weeks	$3899
7 Weeks	$4499
8 Weeks	$5099
Extra Week	$650

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying for?

Pre departure Information and Support
Airport pickup in Barcelona during scheduled hours
Orientation/Induction on arrival
Training in Community Building
Complete pedagogical material
Spanish classes
Workshop
NGO internal exam and certification process
Lunch every working day
Full induction and orientation on arrival
In-country support
Project equipment and resources
Personal Coaching & Mentoring

What's NOT included?

Airfare
Local Transportation in the city
Accommodation
Breakfast and Dinner everyday
Touristic visits
Personal Expenses and items
Return Airport Drop

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’ and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (Age, skills and experience etc.).
Does VolSol provide with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Spain Volunteer Programs?: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Spain Volunteer Projects:

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program.

Intermediate level of Spanish for projects with children.

Mandatory swimming knowledge for Marine Conservation Project.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

The participant must be in good health.
What are the Program Locations in Spain?: We offer programs in Spain in two locations, Barcelona and Bilbao. The Community Development Program is located in Barcelona and the Beach Cleaning Program is located in Bilbao.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: Yes, you are welcome to take part in Spain Volunteer Programs as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the Spain Programs.
When do I need to arrive in Spain for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Spain?: There are two project locations in Spain - Barcelona, and Bilbao. Volunteers joining the project in Barcelona are picked from Barcelona Airport (BCN). Volunteers joining the Beach Cleaning Program in Bilbao are picked up from Bilbao Airport. Volunteers are picked up from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and taken to the respective accommodations. Volunteers should arrive on the given program start/arrival date of the program.
For how many hours do I have to volunteer in a day?: Volunteers usually work for 4 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekends off, so you can travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Spain?: It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. The application fee is valid for one full year and can be sent earlier than the desired year of volunteering for timely confirmation of the seat. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot. We work on the basis of the first come first serve policy.
I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol Programs?: Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.

Flights and Visa

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Spain?: Spain’s Airport is very well connected with the rest of the world and majority of the airlines fly to Spain. Some of the recommended airlines that fly to Barcelona and Bilbao are - British Airways, Ryanair, KLM, Lufthansa, Aeroflot, Easyjet etc.
Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Participants (most nationalities) require a Tourist Visa to travel to Spain. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a Tourist Visa before departing for Spain. Consult the Spanish Embassy in your country for more details. If needed, Volunteering Solutions can provide with written documents that would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location?: Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, its surroundings and other facilities around the location. Both the program destinations are modern cities and have multiple options to commute from the project to the placement.Most preferred modes of transport are buses, taxis, and metro. The projects are located in Valencia and Denia.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: Depending on your project placement, you will get evenings and the weekends free, to travel and explore the places.In the evenings, volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips. In Spain, you’ll see a magnitude of interesting sights. Visit the artistic Barcelona, the grandiose Royal Palace in Madrid, the imposing Catedral de la Almudena, the golden triangle of museums, Mezquita of Cordoba Ancient streets and many Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic or Romanesque monuments. Trust us, you will not get enough of the Spanish cities!

Also, go for a football match which is a must when in Spain.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Accommodation is provided from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will be according to the volunteer project you have selected. Participants in both Bilbao and Barcelona are offered accommodation in apartments. All the accommodation options are a great opportunity to interact with local and foreign people, learning about different cultures and making new friends from all around the world. In Barcelona all vegetarian meals are also provided to the volunteers.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Spain?: Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. You also need to cover for meals, that aren’t included in the program. However, you should carry around Euros 75–80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on weekend trips out of town.
What if I have my own accommodation? Can I still volunteer for the project?: Unfortunately, the entire volunteering experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about the cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the accommodation that we have set up, where one can enjoy by being with like-minded people. Additionally, for safety reasons, all volunteers must live in the allotted accommodation.
Can vegetarians be accommodated?: Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form.

Health and Safety

How safe is Spain in general?: Spain is one of the safest European countries to visit. Spain welcomes tourists and discerning travelers with open arms. To our volunteers, we recommend to go out and eat out after consulting their in-country coordinators. We also recommend that volunteers try to move out in a group and go for sightseeing together. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.
Do I need to buy health insurance?: Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Spain.To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to Spain, click">https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/spain">click here.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Spain alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Spain program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page orhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/VolunteeringSolutions/">; Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer page on our website.