Belgium: ESC: Long Term volunteering Youth Centre Don Bosco De Takel

About the local hosting organization

The network 'Jeugdhulp Don Bosco Vlaanderen' [Youthcare Don Bosco Vlaanderen] unites the forces of a number of services and organizations to build — inspired by Don Bosco — with young people and their living environment towards more well-being and happiness. We aim to support and strengthen vulnerable young people and the people around them in order to make them more resilient and give them more opportunities for growth and development. We pay special attention to young people who do not easily claim help. Young people and their environment are full partners for us. We approach them in their full humanity, give space to their input and speak to them about their qualities and possibilities. Based on the request for help, we strive for an optimal and at the same time feasible form of support tailored to each young person and his/her living environment. From a Christian compassion, but with respect for everyone's individuality and philosophical conviction, we place ourselves in the flow of social developments. Skilled and well-trained employees, whom we support and encourage to grow in expertise and compassion, make every effort to develop a high-quality relationship with the young people and their network. We focus on 1 organisation in our network in particular, Youthcentre De Takel. Center for youth care 'De Takel' wants to be a lever and thus carry and 'lift' children and young people, lift them and give them more opportunities in society. Important aspects are a warm welcome, respect and recognition, dialogue and reasonableness, belief in their abilities. The initiator and carrier of this youth work were and are the Salesians of Don Bosco, a congregation that works for young people all over the world. In 1988 they started 'De Takel'. In collaboration with "Jeugdhulp Don Bosco Vlaanderen", De Takel in Ostend wants to support young people through three projects. Firstly, through the Day Centre, which is responsible for guiding young people and their families. Secondly, also through crisis shelter for young people in emergency situations, and finally also through Jeugdhuis De Takel, a meeting and relaxation area for young people from the neighbourhood. The focus of this ESC project is mainly on this Youth Center. An open place creates community here and empowers young people (boys and girls) between the ages of 12 and 25. The Youth Center tries to offer young people a warm place by organizing all kinds of activities, opportunities to meet, valuable relaxation and preventive training. Young people are allowed to find and develop a Salesian 'home' and 'playground' here on a free basis. The Youth Center has between 80 and 90 different regular visitors. On normal days there are about 30, on holidays this number can rise to 40 to 45. The young people come from a number of underprivileged neighborhoods of Ostend, especially from the Westerkwartier and the Nieuwe Stad. A number of them are native Dutch youth, a large number are vulnerable migrant youth. The latter mainly come from former Eastern Bloc countries, Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, Albania and Syria, some from the Far East and Africa.

Presentation of the programme

Do you want to experience youth work in a different context and country? Do you want to live in the Belgian coast? Then, here is your opportunity! The project consists of at least 10 months of volunteering in the Flemish Don Bosco Youth Centre De Takel, in Oostende, Belgium. The aim of youth centre is to create an enjoyable and safe space for youth in the city. Young people between 12 and 25 years enjoy their free time with us and also participate in activities and trips we organise. Everyone is welcome but the main group that joins is youth from disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Oostende, immigrant background, refugees and asylum seekers. This creates a very multicultural environment always full of fun and learning opportunities. The volunteer is expected to participate in daily activities, but also be active- coming up with activities and carrying them out. Furthermore, we have two ongoing projects: about promotion of sports and active lifestyle; and female youth empowerment.

About the accomodation

During the service, the volunteer will have their personal room in a spacious volunteers house walking distance from the youth center. All basic needs are provided: kitchen, bathroom, tv, internet… The rent is included in the ESC grant. Cooking will be done by the volunteers, so you will receive a weekly budget (to cover food and household costs) and pocket money. A bike will be provided for transportation around the city, plus you will receive a train discount ticket and the possibility to discover Belgium.

About the leisure activities

The volunteer will have the opportunity to follow the On-Arrival and Mid-Term training organised by the National agency, where they will meet other projects and volunteers. Furthermore, they will learn about working in a Don Bosco organisation, and our pedagology. They will also have the opportunity to follow a training course organized by DBYN (Training for young people on youth leadership) and any other opportunities that Bosco Base (the coordinating organisation) is part of. Besides; the volunteer will be able to follow an language course, Dutch or English.

Requirements

The Participant profile: The project is open for two volunteers. Some requirements for the ESC-volunteer are: - Between 20 and 30 years old, it is not a requirement, but the target group we work with is 12-25. - Strong English communication skills. - Strong social skills. - Youth work experience. - Interest in social challenges and non formal education experiences. - Enthusiastic to create, plan and lead activities. - Able to live/work as an independent person. - Open towards other cultures, intercultural experience. - Motivated and eager to learn. A bonus: - Interested in sports, any sport is welcome. - Can speak other languages.Deadline: 30/06/2026 12:00