BY THE LAKE IN PROVENCE

Name: BY THE LAKE IN PROVENCE
Start: 2024-04-15
End: 2024-04-29
Location: Istres, France

France Renovation People with disabilities Renovation People with disabilities Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Very active in the mobilisation of its youth and open to the world, the town of Istres, through the “Maison du Citoyen“, is organising its second workcamp in partnership with Concordia around its Saint-Etienne chapel. Built at an altitude of 116 metres on a hill called Volturno, the chapel overlooks the Berre and Olivier lagunas and a sector to which it has given its name: the Saint-Etienne district. It can be reached thanks to the well-named "Chemin de Saint-Etienne", from where you have a breathtaking view over the Provence Lagunas.

💼 What the programme involves

Get involved in the restoration of the Saint-ítienne chapel, a real jewel of Istres' heritage! The Saint-ítienne chapel still has a soul that compels all Istres residents to love it. You can't help but adore it! You'll be helping to build an open-air theatre using traditional techniques (dry stone) adjacent to the Saint-ítienne chapel: three stone tiers to seat the future audience for events hosted in this corner of paradise. This traditional technique gives a very attractive finish. This project is part of an overall project to restore the chapel, which has been led by the "Saint-ítienne Renaissance" association for a number of years. Simple yet ambitious, the aim of the association's 20-year project is to bring this exceptional site back to life. The aim is to enhance this natural area, offering a unique view over Provence, the town of Istres and the Berre and Olivier lakes, while restoring this monument steeped in history. We are delighted to welcome two young adults with mental disabilities, accompanied by their educator, for the duration of the project. The NGO "UNAPEI", Concordia's partner, works for the inclusion of its public through original initiatives. Our mission for this project: achieving diversity of the public, caring, building an incredible group cohesion and creating unforgettable experiences. A common goal for all: get out of your comfort zone!

🏠 Accommodation on site

The Résidence Lionel Trompette will welcome you for the duration of your stay. This is permanent accommodation: three small houses with individual beds and a communal outdoor terrace area. The sanitary facilities are in a heated building. You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the staff and you will help with the shopping and meal preparation, giving priority to healthy, local produce.

📍 About the location

Istres is a town in the south of France located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, 60 km northwest of Marseille. Surrounded by the Berre and Olivier lagunas, on the edge of the Crau plateau, near the beaches, the Alpilles and the Camargue, Istres\' inhabitants enjoy an exceptional living environment. Local festivals and the discovery of the region will punctuate your stay. Another Concordia volunteer work camp is organised at the same time in the neighbouring town of Port-de-Bouc. You will have the opportunity to meet this second group of Concordia\'s volunteers during the off-work activities!

⚠️ Requirements

Please bring good shoes, working clothes and a swimsuit for the courageous ones! As nights can be quite cold, remember also to bring warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag. Depending on the expected weather, do not forget to bring stuff to protect yourself from the sun (sunscreen, hat, etc.).You can also bring traditional recipes from your home country/region, an instrument of music and games. On the last day (04/05), the departure time is usually set in the morning.

ℹ️ Additional information

Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If health issues arise on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and will then be reimbursed once back in their home country. This project is supported by the program European Solidarity Corps (ESC) for young people between 18 and 30 years. It is open to all volunteers that fit the ESC criteria. The participation to the ESC volunteering teams is subjects to several principles and conditions, presented on the ESC webpage: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/mission_en - volunteers do not have to pay any fee (not sending, nor participation fee) to attend the project and will receive a financial support for their travel, according to a maximum amount established in accordance with their travel distance and upon the presentation of original tickets; - volunteers need to enrol in the PASS, the ESC Portal; then Concordia France will organise their matching, on the online system, with the volunteering project; - volunteers will receive pocket money, calculated on basis of 6€/day, once they arrive on the project in France; - volunteers will have to complete a participation report, submitted online through the portal.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.