The Diakonie Bayern is the umbrella organisation for diaconal institutions in Bavaria, representing its members' interests in the non-statutory welfare sector. In 2024, Diakonie Bayern has 1,268 members employing 99,255 staff. These member organisations offer a wide range of social services, including care for the elderly, children, youth, people with disabilities, and those in difficult life circumstances, as well as support for church communities. The Department for Voluntary Services at Diakonie Bayern is an approved provider of the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) and Federal Voluntary Service (BFD). It helps its members gain accreditation as host organisations. Diakonie Bayern welcomes young people and adults regardless of their denomination, nationality, education, or experience. Since 2017, a special programme for incoming volunteers has been offered, providing additional support and guidance from a social pedagogue. Diakonie Bayern assists and advises both volunteers and host organisations throughout the voluntary service process, from recruitment and applications to ongoing support and evaluation. „Die Diakonie Bayern ist der Dachverband der diakonischen Einrichtungen in Bayern und vertritt die Interessen ihrer Mitglieder in der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege. Im Jahr 2024 hat die Diakonie Bayern 1.268 Mitglieder, die 99.255 Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter beschäftigen. Die Mitgliedsorganisationen bieten ein breites Spektrum sozialer Dienstleistungen an, darunter die Betreuung von Senioren, Kindern, Jugendlichen, Menschen mit Behinderung und Menschen in schwierigen Lebenssituationen sowie die Unterstützung von Kirchengemeinden. Die Freiwilligendienste der Diakonie Bayern sind anerkannter Träger des Freiwilligen Sozialen Jahres (FSJ) und des Bundesfreiwilligendienstes (BFD). Sie unterstützt ihre Mitglieder bei der Anerkennung als Einsatzstelle. Die Diakonie Bayern nimmt Jugendliche und Erwachsene unabhängig von Konfession, Nationalität, Bildung und Erfahrung auf. Seit 2017 gibt es ein spezielles Programm für ausländische Freiwillige, das zusätzliche Unterstützung und Begleitung durch eine sozialpädagogische Fachkraft bietet. Die Diakonie Bayern begleitet und berät sowohl die Freiwilligen als auch die Einsatzstellen während des gesamten Freiwilligendienstes, von der Anwerbung über die Bewerbung bis hin zur Begleitung und Auswertung“.

At Diakoniedorf Herzogsägmühle (Wohnangebote für Menschen/residential services for people with high support needs) you will support a team of 10–12 colleagues in accompanying people with intellectual disabilities in a residential home. As the residents require round-the-clock care, your working hours will include early and late shifts, as well as occasional weekends. You will be involved in direct care, such as personal hygiene and leisure activities, and actively contribute to the implementation of educational support plans. You’ll also assist staff with daily tasks like housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation. You will always work alongside colleagues and will not be solely responsible for any resident. Visit our website: www.herzogsaegmuehle.de Diakonie Bayern (https://www.miteinander-freude-leben.de/freiwilligendienst-international/europaeisches-solidaritaetskorps) will act as the Coordinating Organisation, supporting you throughout your entire volunteering experience.

You will receive free accommodation - usually in a shared flat or single apartment near your place of assignment. Your room is always just for you. You will also receive a monthly allowance for meals (according to the non-cash benefit value) and money for a public transport ticket (Germany ticket). You can use this to travel to work, attend seminars or discover Germany.

You can expect around 25 training days with exciting seminars alongside other international volunteers, offering peer support, shared learning, and exchange of experiences. At your placement, a personal mentor will support you. Additionally, Diakonie Bayern acts as the Coordinating Organisation, providing individual support through qualified education officers and organizing the training days. There is support in everyday life, regular integration talks, and help with the language course. The focus is on your development – professionally, personally, and interculturally!

The Participant profile: We are looking for committed young people who are interested in working with people with disabilities and high care needs. The prerequisite is that you are not afraid of nursing activities and are willing to take on responsibility. You should have a German level of at least B1 in order to be able to communicate with the residents and the team. Reliability, the ability to work in a team, resilience and respectful interaction with the people in your care are also important. Openness, patience and a willingness to respond to individual needs are particularly important to us. Initial experience in the social or care sector is an advantage, but not a prerequisite - you will receive comprehensive training and support from us.
Deadline: No application deadline

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?

• Training before and after the project
• Health insurance during your project
• round-trip travel reimbursement
• accommodation and food
• pocket money
• language course
• Return Week-end
• Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.