Italy Volunteer Quests

People with Disabilities -Cooperativa Sociale Villa Maria

This project aims to offer support to people with disabilities in a local community center, situated in the north of Italy. It is approximately an hour far from Verona by train. Volunteers in Italy will have the opportunity to organize and take part in various activities with the community members such as swimming, music lab (educational and creative lab), creative workshops, and cooking activities. Volunteers will share a double room in a flat which includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. The accommodation is shared with other volunteers and/or staff.

People with Disabilities - Servizio Residenziale Flessibile

Volunteers provide support to people with disabilities between the ages of 30 and 55 in a community with a family atmosphere in Perosa Argentina. The main tasks for volunteers include assisting professional staff and accompanying the residents in activities such as movies, dinner, conversation, reading, etc.  Volunteers will stay in their own apartment on the second floor of the community.

Elderly – Rifugio re Carlo Alberto Onlus

This project is run by the local church through volunteers and staff members, and is located in the village of Luserna San Giovanni, an hour from Torino. Volunteers will be involved in the day centre. During the first days at the project, volunteers will try various activities to understand which ones are most suitable for their skills and interests. The centre is open from Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:15pm. Possible activities include light exercises, cooking, personal care, various workshops, gardening and assisting with baths. Each volunteer will stay at the project in an apartment reserved for volunteers with single room and bathroom.

People with Disabilities – Associazione “Insieme Si Puo-Onlus”

Volunteers’ main tasks are to help people in the centre to improve linguistic and physical skills in order to gain personal independence. Such tasks can include using money, using the telephone, music therapy, using public transportation, shopping, Volunteers also have the chance to help the organization’s structure and daily planning, as well as to participate in creative and social activities. This project is located in Reana del Rojale, on the outskirts of Udine which was originally was a rural area, but has grown to be more commercial. It is 100 Km from Austria, 30 km from Slovenia and 50km from the Adriatic sea. Volunteers stay in a room in a separate area of the community where some disabled people live from Monday to Friday.

The Sospiro Foundation aims to realize the social integration of people with disabilities.  Volunteers will assist people with disabilities in various activities including computer lab, theatre and music therapy, sports as well as activities related to daily life skills and strengthening communication.  In addition, volunteers may also go on excursions on the territory with people with disabilities and should also support the education team and personnel on location.  This project is located in Sospiro, Cremona—located about 90 km southeast of Milan.  Volunteers will stay in a house separate from the community which has a bathroom, kitchen, common room and washing machine.

Elderly - Asilo Valdese

Asilo Valdese, owned by the evangelic church of Luserna San Giovanni is a small town located about an hour outside of Torino and founded over 100 years ago and is a non-profit organization which offers facilities for 80 non-self dependent elderly people and 20 self-dependent elderly people as well as serves the elderly people living in Luserna S.G. and the surrounding area.  Volunteers will cultivate and improve relationships with the elderly guests at this organization.  Volunteers’ tasks will involve participating in crafts, music lab, supporting the physiotherapist, and helping during meals. Occasionally, volunteers will also participate in half-day trips with the project’s staff and guests.  Volunteers will stay in a house located near the Asylum which has a bathroom, kitchen, living room and washing machine.