FUNDED OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
The International Youth Volunteering Programme (IYVP) at the British Red Cross is pleased to be able to offer five, 5-month volunteering placements in Portugal, starting in September 2021.
As part of the European Solidarity Corps scheme, we offer young people aged 18-30 residing in the UK the chance to volunteer overseas with our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. All of our placements are fully funded, with travel, accommodation, health insurance costs covered, and volunteers receive a small monthly allowance to cover additional expenses.
This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in gaining valuable skills, having new experiences and giving back to the community. The personal and professional skills developed on these placements (independence, resilience, working with vulnerable people, etc), as well as the opportunity to travel around a new country and create connections with people from different walks of life are extremely beneficial for any young person looking to start a career in this sector or similar.
We are keen to hear from individuals, especially those who do not normally get the chance to volunteer overseas, who are passionate and motivated for this kind of work, but who also understand that these types of placements require adaptability and resilience, especially in the current challenging climate.
Placement Details
We are looking to recruit five volunteers to support the work of the Portuguese Red Cross for 5-months (1st September 2021 – 31st January 2022). The placements will be in or around Braga, Portugal.
The volunteers will be working in a range of projects, which will give them the chance to explore the different kind of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross conduct in Braga. This is a great opportunity to get involved in these projects and find out what you are interested in.
There are two projects which the volunteers are required to participate in. One is supporting the local charity shop, and the other is supporting in the local youth centre for the Roma community. Once on the programme, the volunteers will get a chance to explore the other options available and then choose which projects they want to get involved with.
For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description below. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement. Please note that the types of roles on offer and the activities may have to adapt or change due to coronavirus restrictions.
If you’re not sure where to start with the application form, you can use our handout here to see what we’re looking for.
Role Description
Additional Information
We are an inclusive programme and believe diversity drives innovation! So we are committed to achieving inclusion across ethnicity, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience and welcome applications from a range of backgrounds.
Due to our new relationship with the European Union, we will need to apply for a visa for you to volunteer in Portugal. The British Red Cross and Portuguese Red Cross will guide and support you through this process and will reimburse any costs related to this.
We are also closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic in accordance with Erasmus+, UK and Portuguese guidance and will inform candidates of any changes to the programme if necessary.
Deadline
Sunday 9nd May 2021
Please note that only UK residents can apply for this role.
Update: Remote interviews will be held for this position on either 24th or 25th May, with a 30-minute presentation session on the 19th May at 10.00am. If you are selected for interview, please let us know if you need any additional support to attend.
Do you have any questions?
Send us an email at IYVP@redcross.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.