ESC : Steinbeis, volunteer in a Altenpflege

Name: ESC : Steinbeis, volunteer in a Altenpflege
Start: 2026-07-01
End: 2027-12-31
Location: Wolfach, Germany

Code: b0dbdf2d-6334-11f1-a632-fa163ef8d720 Copied

Germany Education European Voluntary Service Social work Education European Voluntary Service +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

The Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH – Innovation Centre “European Projects” is an institution of the Steinbeis-Foundation which was founded by the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
Within the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Program the Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH is accredited as a coordinating and supporting organisation (OID: E10206422), for hosting volunteers it co-operates with several institutions of the german social and health care system, e.g. the Residential Home for the Elderly Brenzheim in Wolfach.
Germany has a long tradition of national voluntary service programs (e.g. FSJ, BFD) and a lot of young people are joining these programs for professional orientation whereas facilities and institutions of the social and health care system are using these programs for recruitment of future staff.
Volunteering in health and social care facilities offers young people an orientation and a preparation for a vocational training in the field of nursing.
For young people from abroad there is the opportunity to join the ESC voluntary service, which provides in addition to the german programs also language and intercultural training.
The hosting organisation:
Johannes-Brenz-Altenpflege in Wolfach is a facility dedicated to the care and nursing of elderly people with heart and expertise. In a warm and familiar atmosphere, the well-being of the residents takes centre stage. Individualised care concepts and a dedicated team ensure that residents not only receive the best medical care, but also social and emotional support.
With the motto ‘People at the core’, the Brenzheim attaches particular importance to friendly and personal attention, caring and reliable care as well as upholding the basic values of Christian charity combined with a high level of professionalism.

💼 What the programme involves

Find your path: Voluntary service as a springboard for your future!
Not sure which career really suits you? Discover your strengths, gain practical experience and make a difference - with ESC voluntary service! Whether in organisations for social or health care: here you can try out what suits you and do something good at the same time.
Orientation: get to know different professional fields.
Experience: gain valuable practical experience for your CV.
Personality: grow with new challenges.
Start now and actively shape your future!
Tasks of the volunteers in care for the elderly:
Playing board games together with residents
Reading aloud from newspapers or books
Providing support at mealtimes by keeping company
Having simple conversations and listening
Regular visits to individual residents
Small errands within the home
Accompaniment to events in the home
Liaising between residents during joint activities
Support in maintaining contact with other residents
Support with group activities:
Assistance with handicrafts and creative activities
Assistance with gymnastics and movement exercises
Participation in singing groups
Support with seasonal celebrations
Accompanying the residents' groups on excursions
The volunteers encourage and promote the independence of those in need of care. They learn to develop tolerance for the individual circumstances of those in need of care. They help with food preparation and follow-up and assist with shopping and housekeeping from an economic and environmentally conscious point of view.
Through their work, the volunteers can
make a valuable contribution to everyday life in the home
gain insights into geriatric care
get an orientation into the field of nursing
gain intercultural experience
improve language skills
develop social skills
What comes next?
Voluntary service thus enables many young adults to familiarise themselves with the world of work and get used to it, in a sense a ‘first contact’ with professional work, which can serve to specify individual plans for the future. In any case, volunteering activities make it easier to make decisions about training, study and career choices.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Volunteers are given a single room in the Brenzheim or together with other volunteers, trainees, interns etc. in a separate flat nearby.
In order to maintain contact with their home country, volunteers are provided with internet access. This can be either WLAN access in the house for their own internet-enabled device or the use of a house PC with internet access.
A television is also available in a common room.

🍲 Food

Volunteers can take part in the communal catering in the house, for days off they receive a meal allowance or can come to the Brenzheim for meals.

📍 About the location

Wolfach, a picturesque town in the heart of the Kinzig Valley in the Black Forest, combines historical charm with natural beauty.
Characterised by half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways, the old town invites you to take a leisurely stroll.

🎒 Leisure activities

n the surrounding area, there are various sports facilities and leisure destinations. These include swimming facilities, sports grounds and sports halls, hiking trails, winter sports facilities in the Black Forest, cycling opportunities, climbing facilities, sports clubs, dance schools and fitness studios.
In addition:
ESC volunteers receive a D-Ticket, which allows to travel easily and flexibly throughout Germany - whether by bus, train, tram or S-Bahn! It is valid for all public transport, from your home town to the coolest cities, festivals or to visit friends across the country (not valid in high speed trains like IC/ICE/EC!).
Spontaneous trips to the lake or hikes in the mountains are also easy. With the Deutschlandticket, leisure time becomes an adventure - just hop on and go!

⚠️ Requirements

Desired profile of volunteers:
Our projects are outlined for young people with less opportunities in terms of education, therefore we don't accept graduates (Bachelor/Master) or students from university.
We prefer young people without university entrance qualification who might be interested to start a vocational training in Germany after the voluntary service.
Volunteers should be interested in working in the social and health care sector and be open to working with elderly and/or disabled people and people at risk of exclusion.
Volunteers should be able to develop and plan activities on their own initiative, but also be able to contribute innovatively and collaborate within the team.
A basic knowledge of German would be helpful and a willingness to learn German is expected.
A class B driver's license would be helpful.
We expect a long term participation (min. 10 months) because the persons cared for in a nursing home need stable personal relationships, therefore it's not possible to change the volunteers frequently.

ℹ️ Additional information

The project is implemented under the European Solidarity Corps Programme, financed by the European Commission.
The participating organisations have to be mindful of these needs as they are responsible for providing a respectful and trusting hosting environment. At the same time, the organisations participating in the initiative devote a great deal of time, energy and resources to set up a high-quality activity; they should therefore expect that European Solidarity Corps participants show a similar level of respect for the local communities and the people that are directly concerned by the activities (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/mission_en).
What do we provide ?
Training before and after the project
Health insurance during your project
round-trip travel reimbursement
accommodation and food
pocket money
language course
Return Week-end
Youth Pass and SVI international Volunteer passport

Before applying for this volunteering project, you need to enroll yourself at European Solidarity Corps Platform (https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en) and specify your European Solidarity Corps Participant Number (PRN).
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label.
Contact the ESC coordinator at +32 2 888 67 13 to get more informations.