COD: VAP UK-01
Lugar: Stanmer Park
Fechas: 29.06. - 13.07.2009
Foco: ENVI

PROJECT: Stanmer Organics is a co-operative of individuals and groups based at an 8 hectare site at Stanmer Park. They are committed to using the land for organic food production which is sold locally with the aim of reducing road travel and air pollution and being sustainable. They are also committed to environmental art, finding new crops and food production techniques which are less damaging to the environment and educating local people and schools about sustainability through school visits and open days. There will be an open day at the end of the project and VAP and Concordia volunteers are invited to come to Stanmer Organics and help prepare the site for the open day.

WORK: The work is likely to involve preparing the allotments, weeding and planting herbs and vegetables, working in the orchard, possible hay making and tidying the art and relaxation areas ready for the public.

ACCOMMODATION: The volunteers will be camping in tents a short walk from the project site. Warm sleeping bag and roll mat are essential!

LOCATION: Stanmer Park is located on the edge of the South Downs in East Sussex. The site is in a remote area around ½ hour walk from the nearest shop or train station.

TERMINAL: London Airports and Falmer train station for arrivals and departures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers will be living outside for the duration of the project please be prepared to camp and work in both good and bad weather. The site is fairly remote so please bring ideas for games and activities to do in the evenings.

COD: VAP UK-02
Lugar: Newcastle
Fechas: 24.07. - 07.08.2009
Foco: Kinds

PROJECT and WORK: The Stanley Youth Centre where the playscheme takes place is a charitable non-profit and non-governmental organisation with the purpose of providing recreational activities for young people aged 8 to 25 years. The playscheme is an independent community led scheme, run by a committee of volunteers. The playscheme is provided for children aged 5 to 13 years. The international workcamp was added both to support the playscheme and to demonstrate the internationalism of the centre.

The international volunteers will work alongside local volunteers in addition to the playscheme committee volunteers. The Stanley Youth Centre Summer Playscheme has been running for 30 years. The staff and volunteers at Stanley Youth Centre understand what it is like to have international volunteers. This is a warm and welcoming community.

The work with the children is the most important aspect of this workcamp and volunteers will be expected to work with and supervise the children at all sessions. Volunteers need to come well prepared to share their own childhood experience through games, music and activities reflecting their childhood culture. They need to be highly motivated for the work and able to use initiative in a challenging working environment. However, there will be a lot of support from the playscheme organisers and from the local volunteers.
ACCOMMODATION:
The living conditions at the youth centre will be basic and crowded. There are camp beds to sleep on but no special sleeping area; there are showers, a fully equipped kitchen including a washing machine and dish washer, a communal area which can be used by the group in the evenings, and shops nearby. The volunteers must live together as a community, sharing common tasks. All volunteers will need to take some responsibility for the group life.

LOCATION: Stanley (Co.Durham) is situated at 15 kms SW of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NE of England).
TERMINAL: Newcastle, Durham Tees Valley and Doncaster airports, Newcastle and Durham train stations and Stanley bus station are the closest for arrivals and departures.
SPECIAL REMARK:
A police check translated to English and a motivation letter are needed for working with children in the UK. Please send it in advance together with the Volunteer Exchange Form.

COD: VAP UK-03
Lugar: Stourbridge town
Fechas: 01.08. - 22.08.09
Fech: Kids

 PROJECT:
This is a playscheme run by Rollercoasters, a charity which was established to provide support for families with children aged four to eighteen years, who have learning and physical disabilities. Its aim is to provide high quality holiday playschemes, and to create leisure and social opportunities for children with various disabilities. Some children also have medical conditions e.g. epilepsy, asthma and orthopaedic conditions. Some have sensory impairment and all the children need a high level of individual care and support. A small number of children have degenerative or life threatening conditions. All of them are wheelchair users.

WORK:
You should have a positive view of children with a disability, be able to recognise their individuality and to participate as friends. Any experience you have already gained in working with children or adults with disabilities will be useful. Experience or ideas for play and creative activities, demonstrating and involving children in the activity are important. The children will need a high level of physical assistance including feeding, washing and changing. Good communication skills, persistence, patience to listen, interpret and respond to a child with limited speech, hearing and movement is very important. At first you may find the experience emotionally, creatively and physically demanding. You will be given comprehensive training at the start of the project in caring for the children and will receive support from the staff. You will accompany the children on trips.- to a swimming pool, to a farm, ice skating, the cinema, a theme park, a team railway. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, hydrotherapy, a plastic ball-pool, music workshop, sensory rooms and other workshops. Everyone is expected to take a full part in the practical daily work of cooking and cleaning as well as in all the decision making for the group.

ACCOMMODATION and LOCATION:

The accommodation will be at will be at the 300 year old Quaker (Friends) Meeting House in Stourbridge town, 25 kms west of Birmingham (Central England).

TERMINAL: Birmingham airport, Stourbridge Town train station and Birmingham Digbeth bus station are the closest for arrivals and departures.

SPECIAL REMARK:
A police check translated to English and a motivation letter are needed for working with children in the UK. Please send it in advance together with the Volunteer Exchange Form.

Cod: VAP UK-05
Lugar: Othona Community
Fecha: 08.08. - 22.08.2009
Foco: RENO

PROJECT:
The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea was founded in 1946. It is a residential centre for people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds to seek a common understanding in the cause of peace. Othona has welcomed YAP volunteers since the early 1970's. Othona is a multi-faith non-dogmatic Christian Community founded next to one of the oldest churches in the UK (654AD). It fully involves non-Christians. It is an experimental community where work, play, drama, art and study are combined. Volunteers will be fully integrated in the life of the community.

WORK:
The community is currently seeking funding to expand its accommodation; if successful there will be a considerable amount of ground preparation work to be carried out. Alternatively there is ongoing work to the grounds and gardens, ditches to be cleared and fencing to be repaired and painted.

ACCOMMODATION:
In tents close to the community centre. Food will be healthy and home made. Vegetarian diets can be catered for.

LOCATION:

The Othona Community is situated on the east coast of Essex, next to a nature reserve. It is 5 Km from the nearest village.

TERMINAL:
London and Stansted airports and Southminster train station are the closest for arrivals and departures.

LEISURE TIME:
During the volunteer’s time there, there will be various themed study weeks including, caring for the environment, drama, art and puppet making. Outside their work duties volunteers are free to join any of these activities.