Vändra Kodu (CES/SVE)

Code: ad6566ee-de84-11e8-9abc-0242ac110024 Copied

Estonia People with disabilities European Voluntary Service People with disabilities European Voluntary Service Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Vändra Kodu is a home for 50 adults with special needs of mental and physical disabilities. There are men and women aged 20-75. They live in five similar family-type houses and most of them have their own room. Some of them live in two-place rooms. Most of our clients have profound and multiple disabilities, but some of them need less support and are better able and more active in community. The clients are mostly friendly and positive. Some have different ways to
communicate- our staff will help and guide volunteers in this. We provide day-and-night full support for our clients in all their daily activities. Many of the clients use medical supportive devices, such as wheelchairs etc.
The total number of Vändra Kodu´s staff is 25. There are 21 activity coordinators, who are coordinating the everyday life for the adults with special needs. We all have received special training and are well experienced, many of us have worked with ourclients for more than 5 years. There are 2 cooking assistants also, who supervise cooking in Vändra Kodu. That involves supervising activity coordinators and also guiding adults with special needs in cooking. Vändra Kodu has also a teamwork manager and a client work manager who direct everyday life and service providing in Vändra Kodu.

💼 What the programme involves

The volunteer will have an opportunity to learn about the life- the joys and difficultiesof people with special needs and multiple disabilities. They will learn, if not experienced before, how to work and communicate with people with learning disabilities, people with special physical needs etc. If interested, they will learn about Estonian social welfare system. In case a volunteer intends to build a career in social services, this experience will be invaluable and unique for the future.
The working time will be around 32-38 hours per week. Volunteer will have 2 days off per week either during week or at the weekends, it is negotiable with the volunteer. Work will be done under supervision and with support of staff.
Volunteers most important work will be helping staff in everyday activities and companying clients in community events. The volunteer will have an opportunity to learn about the life of people with special needs and different disabilities. They will learn how to work and communicate with people with learning disabilities.

Either with group of clients or individually- the volunteer could organize educational and fun leisure time activities for and with the clientssports, dance, music, games, handicrafts, hiking, taking walks, going to concerts and trips, cooking
together etc. Just giving an extra attention and communication with clients is also very welcome.

🏠 Accommodation on site

📍 About the location

Vändra Kodu is located in Vändra. You can find a mosaic of the landscape here, with dark green forests, alternates with fields, meadows and bog hills. Vändra itself is located in Northern Pärnu county and has a beautiful and peaceful little community. Here live approximately 2670 citizens. All services and institutions necessary for everydaylife are nearby- there are 3 food stores, quiet big library, cultural house, where will be carried out different events (cinema, theatre and local gatherings). You also may find a beautiful park in there- with many hiking trails. There are different funktions and festivals in Vändra, especially in summer time (performing our national celebrations in midsummer for example).
The first bigger City – Pärnu, is about 50 km. You can drive either by bus or car there. It has wonderful beach and aura - especially in summer time. In Pärnu you may find many spa´s and pools as well with reasonable prices. The most known
annual festival, which takes place in Pärnu, is Weekend. You can find more information about Vändra from website:
http://www.vandravald.ee/

⚠️ Requirements

French or Belgian resident required !

We will welcome motivated, mature and committed volunteers understanding the nature of the Project and its particularities, including working with people with serious mental and physical disabilities. Some experience in working or relating to people with special needs would be an advantage. We would like the volunteer to be open-minded, positive and flexible, helpful and active. Taking an initiative from the volunteer´s side is welcome, though of course the staff will provide always the needed support and advice.