Volunteering in Germany

What you will be doing at Werkstattschule

Our association Werkstattschule intercenes mostly in schools in order to bring pupils entering occupational life a general idea of what handcraft and artistic jobs can be like. We always try to create, together with the children and/or youngsters, something useful for their schools and the pupils such as benches, tables, playgrounds and any sort of common area that can be used in a school. In addition to building, we provide different fields such as media projects and screen printing projects to children and young people where they can be creative with the advantage and change of learning. In this journey of job orientation we aim to strengthen the student’s self-confidence and abilities, develop their independent living skills, reveal their unknown talents and support their cognitive and motor development. Most of the projects we lead are short term (2-5 days).

As a volunteer, you are mainly assigned to wood carving projects since this technique is easy to learn and apply. You will assist/lead a group of 4-5 people during these projects. Please note that the work will be dusty and your clothes will get dirty with wood and paint.

Additionally you will have the opportunity to

• find out more about your talents, learn new craft skills and activate your social and intercultural competences,

• create your own project according to your own interests and

• help to promote European Solidarity Corps activities in our region.

No special skills are required although we are looking for volunteers who have the desire to develop or enhance their handcraft and/or media skills. Furthermore, you should like to be creative and get in touch with people from other countries and cultures.

What we offer you

You will receive around 500,00 € at the beginning of each month, which includes food allowance and pocket money. You will have access to an online language course and language support during the first few months of your stay. Heidelberg is a very bike-friendly city. Your main form of transport will be a bicycle offered by Werkstattschule. With this, you will get to your workplace and move around in Heidelberg. In special cases you might also get tickets for the local transport. Travel costs from and to your home country are covered!