Germany: ESC: European voluntary Service in social work (kindergarten, crèche)

About the local hosting organization

Verbund sozialer Dienste gGmbH (VSD) is working in the field of child and youth welfare in the surrounding of Bad Essen near Osnabrück. In the current structure VSD exists since 2016. Owners of VSD Holding are each 50 percent Charly's Kinderparadies e.V. and Children's House Wittlager Land e.V.. Under the roof of the applicant VSD are so far the following gGmbHs: Kinderhaus Wittlager Land, Dialog, Dialog Rahden, Charly's Kinderparadies Bad Essen, Charly's Kinderparadies Sonnenwinkel, Charly's Kinderparadies Melle, Charly's Kinderparadies Osnabrück, Charly's Kinderparadies Bad Iburg, Charly's Kinderparadies Dissen kindergarten, Charly's children's paradise Dissen Krippe as well as VSD. The company history goes back to the - at that time - Kinderhaus Bad Essen e.V., which already exists since 1976. In the course of the refugee work VSD was "reactivated" at the end of 2015, the clearing centers for unaccompanied minor refugees were located here until the beginning of 2017. Currently on the VSD are running also outpatient and integration assistance as well as professional integration. The residential groups are supported by Dialog gGmbH. In addition to outpatient education as well as educational and pedagogical childcare services Kinderhaus Wittlager Land gGmbH since 2007 maintains the family retirement “Haus Sonnenwinkel” in Bad Essen. Due to Corona, the family retirement probably have to be closed finally by 31st of december 2020. In addition, Kinderhaus Wittlagerland e.V., as a recognized educational institution, is planning, coordinating and conducting educational events. Using the family retirement "Haus Sonnenwinkel" makes it possible to undertake educational activities in an attractive learning environment. - - - Der Antragsteller Verbund sozialer Dienste gGmbH (VSD) ist innerhalb eines Unternehmensverbundes als Träger der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe im Raum Bad Essen tätig. Den Verbund sozialer Dienste (VSD) in der derzeitigen Struktur gibt es seit 2016. Anteilseigner der VSD Holding sind zu jeweils 50 Prozent Charly’s Kinderparadies e.V. und der Antragsteller Kinderhaus Wittlager Land e.V. Unter dem Dach des VSD sind bisher folgende gGmbHs zusammengefasst: Kinderhaus Wittlager Land, Dialog, Dialog Rahden, Charly’s Kinderparadies Bad Essen, Charly’s Kinderparadies Sonnenwinkel, Charly’s Kinderparadies Melle, Charly’s Kinderparadies Osnabrück, Charly’s Kinderparadies Bad Iburg, Charly’s Kinderparadies Dissen Kindergarten, Charly’s Kinderparadies Dissen Krippe sowie VSD. Die Firmenhistorie geht auf den – damals noch – Kinderhaus Bad Essen e.V. zurück. Diesen Verein gibt es bereits seit 1976. Im Zuge der Flüchtlingsarbeit ist die bereits bestehende VSD gGmbH Ende 2015 „reaktiviert“ worden, die Clearingstellen für unbegleitete minderjährige Ausländer (umA) waren bis Anfang 2017 hierunter angesiedelt. Aktuell laufen über den VSD u.a. die Bereiche ambulante Assistenz, Eingliederungshilfe und berufliche Integration. Die verschiedenen Wohngruppen werden von der Dialog für familienorientierte Sozialarbeit gGmbH unterhalten. Neben ambulanten Angeboten zur Erziehung sowie schulischen und pädagogischen Betreuungsangeboten für Kinder betreibt die Kinderhaus Wittlager Land gGmbH seit dem Jahr 2007 die Familienferienstätte „Haus Sonnenwinkel“ in Bad Essen. Corona-bedingt muss der Betrieb der Familienferienstätte voraussichtlich zum 31.12.2020 eingestellt werden. Darüber hinaus verfolgt Kinderhaus Wittlager Land e.V. als anerkannter Bildungsträger das Ziel, Bildungsveranstaltungen zu planen, zu koordinieren und durchzuführen. Durch die Nutzung von Räumen der Familienferienstätte Haus Sonnenwinkel wird die Durchführung von Bildungsmaßnahmen in einem attraktiven Lernumfeld ermöglicht.

Presentation of the programme

Verbund Sozialer Dienste (VSD) operates in the field of child and youth welfare in the area surrounding Bad Essen, near Osnabrück. Its subsidiary, Charly's Kinderparadies, runs 14 kindergartens and crèches in the Osnabrück district. Some of these offer voluntary service opportunities, one of them is Charly’s Kinderparadies Sonnenwinkel in Bad Essen. By participating in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program, we aim to offer children and young people valuable insights into different cultures. Volunteers contribute by sharing aspects of their own cultural backgrounds, fostering openness and understanding of other cultures and ethnic groups. This cultural exchange adds variety to daily life and promotes tolerance within the community.

About the accomodation

We prioritize the well-being of our volunteers and offer comprehensive support and guidance before, during, and after the project. Ensuring you feel comfortable and valued is important to us, which is why we have established a well-structured support system. We respect individual dietary preferences, carefully consider food intolerances, and take proactive steps to meet your needs. Meals are provided at the workplace, and the full meal allowance will be paid in full. Transportation costs will be reimbursed upon submission of proof of purchase.

About the leisure activities

To further enhance the experience, we also offer opportunities for personal and professional development, including workshops, skill-building sessions, and guidance on navigating the local culture and administrative systems. Volunteers can participate in networking events to connect with local organizations and other volunteers, fostering collaboration and exchange. Additionally, we provide ongoing feedback and support to ensure that volunteers not only succeed in their roles but also gain valuable insights and skills for their future endeavors.

Requirements

The Participant profile: The participants should be socially engaged and open to new experiences, with a genuine willingness to work with disadvantaged children. Prior knowledge in social work or psychology is an advantage. Ideally, volunteers should be able to remain composed in crisis situations. It is expected that volunteers approach training and learning opportunities provided by the hosting organization to handle crises with an open mindset, while maintaining a strong commitment to staying connected with the children. Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to share aspects of their own culture with the children, fostering cultural exchange. Tasks kindergarten: The volunteers support the work of the pedagogues in the daily routine and accompany the children during the day. When they are brought from 8 o'clock the volunteers start with them in the free game. Later they take part in the morning meeting where circle games can be actively shaped. Aspects of the volunteer’s culture are welcome to be brought in. They support house work activities like preparing meals etc. According to the concept of the outdoor focus they accompany outdoor activities. Tasks crèche: Support in the educational field: The volunteers support the professionals in their daily work in their own mother tongue. The pedagogical concept of Charly's Kinderparadies provides the framework for this. The volunteers make contact with the children during their daily play and accompany the children's daily routine, help them get dressed and offer various play opportunities. Caring activities: Volunteers help serve meals, feed individual children and offer them assistance. Creating additional activities: The volunteers contribute ideas for new projects, taking the children's interests into account, and support the professionals in planning and implementing these projects, some of which may take place over a longer period of time. Games, songs and other activities can be planned and carried out.Deadline: