The position of a volunteer is somewhere in between the young people and adults, which makes it easy for him/her to build relationships. The volunteer helps expand the intercultural dimension of youth work an gives young people the possibility to practice their foreign language skills. The volunteer offers young people an insight in other youth cultures, as well as trends and interests of young people in foreign countries. The volunteer is a partner for conversation or games such as table tennis, billard, soccer or chess; in conversations he/she finds out about the interests, ideas and needs of young people. Working at the bar in the youth café makes it easy to start a conversation with the young visitors.

Activities…

Support the youth workers in their daily work at the youth-café (open from Wednesday to Sunday from, 17.00 to 22.00,) and during lunchtime (Monday to Thursday from 12.00 to 14.00).

The central meeting point of the park-in is its simple bar. It is here were initial contacts to the young visitors are most easily established. The volunteer supports the youth workers at the bar, prepare and sell snacks and drinks and keep the bar clean.

The hot snacks available at the bar also attract a great number of school kids (particularly from the Polytechnic School next door) during their lunch break. We also offer a free access to the internet and to the games during the lunchtime, what makes the centre a very attractive place to while away for an hour and take a break from school routine. The volunteer engages in the same tasks as the youth workers, i.e. mainly preparing snacks, drinks and occasionally playing games with the youngsters or give information and assistance with computers, discuss school issues, etc.

Together with the youth workers, the volunteer helps with preparations before the centre opens its doors, i.e. setting up the tables, switching on computers and games, de-activating the pay mode in games and preparing the kitchen facilities. After the centre closed down for the afternoon, the volunteer helps putting the place back in order.

During the opening hours of the café the volunteer is encouraged to engage in conversations with the youngsters. Though the function of the volunteer is similar to that of the youth workers, he or she will always enjoy a special position. The volunteer should be able to develop a friendly relationship with some of the regular visitors and be available as a partner for conversation and games. The volunteer helps resolve conflicts among the youngsters together with the team.

The volunteer has to watch after the visitors during the opening hours of the youth-café. Hold conversations with young people build relationships, take an interest in youth related issues.

During the opening hours, the volunteer assumes a responsible position as a supervisor and counsellor just like the rest of the team. The volunteer is available for conversation and provides fields for experimentation. At the same time it is his or her responsibility to make sure that the youngsters follow the basic rules of conduct established for the centre. Together with the youth workers, the volunteer fulfils an important function as a person who listens to young people's problems, gives advice, critically reflects on actions and provides impulses and encouragement.

The volunteer has the important task of accompanying young people in an often difficult phase of their lives. The principle of peer education should form the basis of the volunteer's work.

Depending on the volunteer's language skills, this could be considered become his or her most important task.

Participation in sports activities and/or play indoor games with young people.

Depending on his or her preferences and interests, the volunteer participates in games and leisure activities. He or she may choose from games and activities such as soccer, basketball, inline skating, skateboarding, table tennis, billiard or board games such as chess, backgammon, etc. Other activities in combination with excursions (e.g. swimming, tobogganing, etc.) are also a possibility.

Planning, organising and carry out of own projects with the youngsters.

The volunteer is encouraged to conceive and carry out his or her own projects with young people. Activities may be chosen according to the volunteers' personal interests and talents. Drawing up own projects requires a strong personality and a high degree of personal dedication. Projects can only be carried out if the volunteer has succeeded in establishing closer contacts to a number of individuals and built a base of mutual acceptance and trust. Cooperation with other volunteers in the framework of such projects is also feasible.

To help organise and run events like disco parties or skate events.

The volunteer is involved in organising special events at the youth centre. Examples of such events are skateboard and inline contests (regularly held each spring and autumn), occasional basketball and table soccer competitions and video evenings. These events provide an opportunity for the volunteer to get an insight in various forms of modern youth culture and contribute his or her own experience.

Assist the youth workers. Participate in team meetings.

Depending on his or her language competence, the volunteer may participate in the team meetings which are held regularly to discuss organisational issues and, if necessary, serve to resolve conflicts. The volunteer is also expected to help other employees of the centre in their various tasks. These include shopping with the caretaker, supervise the skate park, help with repair work, help maintain the computer network, etc. Participation in these tasks depends on the volunteer's abilities.

Working hours (30 hours per week):

Volunteers usually work during the centre's regular opening-hours, currently the "park in" is open:

Mo 12.00-14.00

Tu 12.00-14.00

We 12.00-14.00 17.00 - 22.00

Th 12.00-14.00 17.00 - 22.00

Fr 17.00 - 22.00

Sa 17.00 - 22.00

Su 17.00 - 22.00

The volunteer works five days a week. He/she has to work every Wednesday and Thursday evening. Between Friday, Saturday and Sunday he/she can choose one free evening as day off. Also Monday or Tuesday can be chosen as his or her day off. The volunteer works a total of 27 or 28 hours per week during regular opening hours. The remaining 2 to 3 hours are available for irregular activities such as team meetings, special assistance and events or language course. If the volonteer carries out projects outside the regular opening hours, the working hours can be modified acordingly.

Percentage of Tasks

30% bar work in the evenings or during lunchtime

30% conversation and games

20% sports activities

10% assistance in events, supervision

10% miscellaneous tasks (team meetings, repair work, shopping, etc.)