Spain: ESC: Building on diversity

About the local hosting organization

ATADES (Asociación Tutelar Asistencial de Discapacidad Intelectual) is an institution whose mission is the assistance and the integration of people with intellectual disabilities along their life history in different social and educative aspects around Aragon. Vision: the evolution since the care point of view to the social action, the complete integration in base to the full integration and the right to difference, self-determination, accessibility, quality of life, the non-discrimination, and the equal opportunity. Values: respond to a social dimension of the intellectual disability, associated with the categorization established by the World Health Organisation. 1. Integration 2. Transparency 3. Ethical behaviour 4. Quality 5. Efficiency 6. Teamwork 7. Volunteering 8. Institutional and social commitment 9. Commitment with the learning We pursue the full integration, the transparency in the mange and the ethical behaviour, the quality, and the efficiency in the provision of services, the teamwork and the quality of services, engagement with learning, the volunteering, and our social environment and institutional. Objectives: the main objective of ATADES is obtain the normalisation of people with intellectual disability in their social environment, for this, our activity impact in these objectives: - We develop awareness campaigns about people with intellectual disability and their rights. - We activate our activities and services to meet the users and their family’s needs and interests. - We do an efficient and clear manage of the resources. - We promote the cooperation with the associative net, several, public and private, institutions and companies that contribute with the realization of our purposes. - We create a professional team with knowledge for develop their task. - We encourage a volunteerism active whom we thank for their dedication. This year, 2022, is the 60th anniversary of Atades leading the intellectual disability in Aragón, with education institutions (special education), socio-occupational projects, welfare services, occupational centres, for employment, residences and leisure and free time. We satisfy more than 3.100 families and users in year 2020. All of this is possible by the work of more than 881 professionals, 200 volunteers, approximately, and thousands of partners support our initiative.

Presentation of the programme

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project at ATADES, "Building on Diversity", promotes inclusion and improves the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities in Aragón through different activities. In this activity, volunteers work with adult people with intellectual disabilities with different levels of dependency. The role requires direct accompaniment and support in care-related and daily living activities, always under the supervision of experienced professionals. Volunteers take part in recreational, educational and sports activities in places such as the Los Tigres Leisure and Free Time Club, residential centres and the Fundación Tutelar Aragonesa (FUNDAT). Their tasks include leading workshops, supporting daily routines and accompanying participants in outings and sports events. ATADES provides guidance, supervision and training opportunities, and encourages volunteers to reflect on and document their learning through tools such as Youthpass.

About the accomodation

ESC volunteers will be accommodated in a rented apartment shared with other ESC volunteers, local volunteers, or students, offering a supportive and comfortable living environment. Each volunteer will have a private bedroom and shared access to common spaces, including a kitchen, and bathroom. The apartment is conveniently located near the activity sites, ensuring accessibility. Volunteers will receive a monthly allowance to cover the most of food expenses, allowing them the flexibility to purchase and prepare their meals. For transportation, ATADES provides a monthly allowance.

About the leisure activities

Training during the opportunity is comprehensive and designed to ensure the personal and professional development of volunteers. It begins with an introductory meeting with the ATADES technical team to clarify roles, responsibilities, and the available support. Volunteers receive assistance with learning Spanish and are encouraged to enroll in a Spanish language course at the Official Language School. They also gain access to all training courses tailored for ATADES volunteers, including sessions focused on working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and project-specific workshops

Requirements

The Participant profile: The ideal participants for the ESC project at ATADES are individuals passionate about supporting people with intellectual disabilities and fostering social inclusion. They should have an interest in sports, be open-minded, sociable, creative, and proactive, with a willingness to propose and lead activities. While a basic knowledge of Spanish is helpful, volunteers receive support to learn the language. This opportunity is perfect for those eager to enhance their personal and professional skills, embrace cultural exchange, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.Deadline: 27/09/2026 20:03