Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
3 Apr 2024
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
We are an independent NGO that currently runs the largest material aid operation in Northern France. Our daily work consists of warehouse work (sorting donations etc.) and distributing non-food items to displaced people in Calais. We also operate a WASH centre where people on the move will be able to wash their clothes and themselves. We focus on unaccompanied men, who constitute the majority of the displaced people currently in the region. They mainly come from countries suffering from conflict and/or violence (mostly Sudan, Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Because of our devoted volunteers, we have been able to grow considerably, and help a lot of people; with that impact, though, comes a lot of responsibility. We take our work very seriously. Because we’re working with vulnerable people who often depend on our services, we expect our volunteers to maintain an appropriate level of professionalism so that we can deliver a high quality of aid, in a dignified and thoughtful way.
We ask for open minded and dedicated volunteers. Here you will find a community of like-minded and highly committed volunteers. We often work long hours, the work can be difficult, and it is not glamorous, but at the end of the day work we do is vital and we support each other as a team.
We aim to actively promote diversity of thought, culture and background, and therefore we particularly welcome applications from those historically under-represented in this sector.
We particularly appreciate applications from those who speak languages of the communities we serve (e.g. Arabic), those who drive and know about the maintenance of cars.
Help
Upon arrival you will be field trained on the following Thursday. After that, you will spend one or two days per week on distribution and/or WASH and the rest of the time in the warehouse. Volunteers on distribution ensure the safe and fair distribution of non-food items. Volunteers in the WASH process laundry and facilitate a safe and welcoming space for people on the move. We work in the warehouse and on distribution from 10am to 6pm and in the WASH from 11am to 7pm.
We work five days a week, with everyone taking Saturday and Sunday off. We also have a free lunch for every working day!
The context we work in can be emotionally and physically challenging. Although we would like to welcome everybody, it is important to consider your personal boundaries and limitations, especially if you do not have experience in this field, although this is not a requirement. We ask that volunteers are proactive, willing to listen, learn and work as a team.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
We have housing available for volunteers for 300 euro for the first month (described as the 8 euro daily fee on workaway), after this it is free of charge no matter how long you stay. We have three different houses and you will share a room with one to three other people. Unless otherwise requested, rooms can be mixed gender. We recognise that this initial contribution can present a financial barrier to volunteering. If this would be your case, please reach out and we can discuss how we can help.
What else ...
(EN) Living and working so closely together creates somewhat of a family atmosphere and we usually share at least one meal per day together. This allows us to talk about the day’s work, explore thoughts and feelings about how things are going and therefore steadily improve our working atmosphere as well as our relationships with each other.
We share our warehouse and work very closely with several other grassroots organisations. This means there are opportunities to learn about other initiatives and meet other people.
We provide one meal per working day for volunteers. For the rest of your time, the cost of living is manageable.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
7 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
The whole team gave me a super warm and lovely welcome, i felt as a part of the team already after two days.
The work was really intense and emotional and there was always alot of things to do. I never felt being left alone with my feelings and thoughts, especially after the… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The whole team gave me a super warm and lovely welcome, i felt as a part of the team already after two days.
The work was really intense and emotional and there was always alot of things to do. I never felt being left alone with my feelings and thoughts, especially after the… read more
