Placement

“Jugendfarm Bonn e.V.” association was founded in 1980 with the aim to enlarge the playing and the leisure time activities for children and young people in Bonn. Since then, the programm has been enlarged and the principles of the work has been adapted to the conditions of society. Today, “Jugendfarm e.V.” association works in the following fields:

• open work with “Jugendfarm” and the playground Finkenweg

• support in three day-groups with education/raising, also three places with flexible day-care and hippotherapy

• four all-day schools, another school is in its initial stages to open an all-day schooling

• advisory board for families

Employment place for the European volunteer is the ‘day group’. This is situated in Roisdorf, Bornheim. The ‘day group’ is a part-stationary offer of the youth welfare. In it about 9 children and young people, who attract attention by substantial difficulties in the social behaviour as well as usually substantial school problems, are cared for. A goal of the family-supplementing offer is the relief of the family in a critical situation, so that the child/ the young person can stay in its family. Apart from support of the children in the group, a priority of the work is the parent’s consultation. The group’s everyday life is formed by orientation giving structures: homework support, leisure activities and support of singles.

In recent years young Europeans have already carried out an EVS in the ‘day group ‘. Due to the good experiences we have made with young people we would like to continue to give them this opportunity.

We consider the offer of the 'day group' suitable to carry out an EVS, because the volunteer always works together with an pedagogical co-worker.
On the one hand, like this is ensured, that the volunteer does not come into situations asking too much of him, without receiving direct assistance.
On the other hand it is possible to have constant exchange with the responsible person. Like this we can directly explain our goals and views, give insight to basic conditions of the social work and the volunteer can get personally involved.
The volunteer is integrated into everyday life of the group. Apart from maybe supporting the housewife in the morning hours he or she takes part in the group happening: having lunch together, accompanying free time of the kids, supporting with homework, accompanying of appointments outside (e.g. art course, therapy, et.), accompanying of leisure time, game offers. It is desired, that the volunteer develops own ideas for leisure activities with the children (according to the volunteers interests and abilities). The volunteer will be supported in the planning, carrying out, reflection as well as (if necessary) financing.
We find that the 'day group' is a place, in which the volunteer is offered a wide range of learning possibilities:
o insight into the life of children and families in critical situations and thereby an insight into a piece of reality of many humans
o the work creates understanding for the bases of social and educational work
o work in a team, supports team ability
o work with children displaying social behavioural problems can extend the personal competence of
o the 'day group' offers many possibilities to self initiative
In principle the volunteer participates in the weekly team meetings as well as in supervision. He or she is also integrated into offers outside the project such as co-worker meeting, staff outings, etc.

Characteristics of the volunteer: sociable, openness, ability to be critical, fun dealing with children, no fear of conflicts, desire to bring in own hobbies (e.g. football, music etc...)
Since the children and youth tend to test the volunteers, especially in the beginning, and because this happens mainly verbally, knowledge of German would make getting into the group easier.

The placement is open to host young people with fewer opportunities as volunteers. Because of the situation of the building the volunteer must be able to claim stairs. The staff of the placement has a lot of experiences in the work with peoples who are coming from a background (economical, social or cultural) which can lead to disadvantages. Those competences can be used for the integration of a person with a need of higher support.

The volunteer will be living in a separate apartment. Under these circumstances supervision cannot be guaranteed, that's why volunteers under 18 years will not be taken on. The volunteer will regularly be in touch with the person to turn to of the project. He/she is both the person, who guides and instructs the volunteer and the person to turn to for everyday problems. In case the relationship between the volunteer and his/her supervisor develops in the direction that no trusting contact is possible, there is still the responsible person of the hosting organisation as another possible person to turn to. This person stands outside the work of the project. He/she will already be in contact before the departure of the volunteer and will lead through a meeting with a group of volunteers at the beginning of the voluntary service. The meeting takes a few days. Approximately every two months there will be a personal talk with the person of the hosting organisation. With this personal meeting, he/she is able to guarantee that the volunteer is fine and that the volunteer could develop a trusting relationship to the people in his/her project. Just shortly after the middle of the voluntary service, the hosting organisation visits the project to ensure that the general conditions of the EVS and the "Activity Agreement" are being realized in the project. In case that there is a serious problem, the hosting organisation will try to intervene and visit the project again. There is regular exchange both between the volunteer and the hosting organisation and between the project and the hosting organisation.