1) ESC IN WALES, United Kingdom
Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA). Volunteer Role Description: Communications
January 2023 – September 2023
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Host project
WCIA is a not for profit organisation based in Wales, working to promote international understanding since 1973. The organisation supports community development through volunteering and cultural exchange, working with partners worldwide through membership of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations and the UNESCO–affiliated Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service. Managing a range of programmes which support international volunteering in Wales and abroad from two weeks to 12 months, our activities bring together young people from different countries to volunteer their time and energies in a unique way, bringing benefits to individuals and communities alike. WCIA has been working on the ESC and EVS programme for over 15 years: we’ve been a sending organisation and a coordinating organisation, and we’re very happy to be a hosting organisation in our fifth year.
Project outline
The placements will be based in our offices in Cardiff together with staff members and local volunteers. The ESC volunteer will work very closely together with other team members but also independent on this placement and tasks will be allocated according to their interest and motivation. The volunteers will focus on communication (online and offline), creating/ maintaining our Alumni Network and help us to tell the story of WCIA, to highlight our impact and increase transparency.
Main tasks
• Help with WCIA communication (offline and online).
• Work on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
• Manage website content
• Create newsletters
• Engage with current, previous and potential volunteers Develop and enhance the WCIA volunteer community by organising social events for former, current and potential new volunteers.
• Attend university and school events to promote WCIA’s volunteering programmes
• Organise events, socials, volunteering days, and fundraising activities to help strengthen our alumni network Story telling – Tell the story of WCIA and its impact.
• Capture case studies and impact stories, creatively visualised through photos, videos, blogs, social media. –
• Collect and disseminate information about WCIA activities in a way that will inspire and encourage participation in volunteering, travel and international understanding.
• Meet and interview volunteers to obtain feedback on the learning outcomes and experience the volunteers gained on their project.
• Help us to build and share impact with donors, supporters and funders.
• Help promote the work of WCIA: talk to young people about international volunteering opportunities and develop presentations and, possibly, workshops, for specific groups.
• Get involved in WCIA’s volunteer training activities, either as a participant, as a support–team member or as a trainer.
• Lead an international workcamp in Wales.
• Help WCIA staff members with activities and general admin tasks.
Required skills
WCIA is looking for individuals with a passion for global citizenship. It is vital that the volunteer will be able and willing to work using his or her own initiative, bringing their own ideas for inclusion in the project. Experience of working with young people and international volunteering will be useful but this can be developed through the
project.
Practical conditions
The volunteers will live centrally in Cardiff or Penarth in a shared house. Each person will have their own bedroom and will share kitchen, bathroom and living room. Pocket money will be paid once a month into a UK bank account once set up.
Application Process
Please read carefully through the description, consider to go online as well to find more information about WCIA (https://www.wcia.org.uk/). The project will run from January to September 2023 Please make sure you are available to dedicate this time period to volunteering in Wales. To apply for this project please send your CV and motivation letter to danielmapatac@wcia.org.uk
Volunteers from the following country can apply: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine
2) ESC with Cae Tan Community supported agriculture
April 2023 – September 2023 (6 months)
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Host project
Cae Tan CSA grow organic vegetables for over 100 local households. We are based on the beautiful Gower peninsula in South Wales. As Wales largest community supported agriculture (CSA) project, we share responsibility, rewards & risk with our members in growing our food. We run educational activities with local schools, families & community groups. We host a trainee each year from within the UK who will work alongside our ESC volunteer. We have a small committed group of growers & volunteers & the support of six directors. To find out more have a look at our website & the short film there. www.caetancsa.org
Project outline
The majority of work will take place at our main site, which is a small field in the heart of The Gower Peninsula. It is fairly close to a local population & walking distance from Three cliffs bay, one of the best beaches in Wales. The field has the feeling of privacy & wilderness as ancient oak trees surround it. We have another field where we grow our winter crops which is based on the north side of the peninsula overlooking the Loughor estuary. On a weekly basis we transport all of our produce to a hub at the Gower Heritage Centre, where we have a packing shed & meeting space. This is our chance to meet our members on a weekly basis & have a social whilst they collect their produce. Day to day work is sociable as we have a good team of staff & regular volunteers. The Gower Peninsula is a beautiful location, where people are very welcoming. There’s always lots going on in the way of events & social gatherings. However, it is a remote place and there are only limited bus connections to the next city (Swansea).
The ESC volunteer would work alongside our growers & trainee grower on the main site, second field & at the Gower Heritage centre Hub. They would be involved in all aspects of the CSA, which incorporate the following;
• Seed sowing, ground preparation, planting, pest management, harvesting.
• Maintenance of structures, fencing, construction of polytunnel etc
• Packing & hosting the hub where produce is collected
• Assisting in educational activities, such as school visits The ESC volunteer will always be working alongside others. There may be a few occasions where they work alonefor short periods.
There is potential for a volunteer to develop his or her own project. The volunteer will have the daily support of both the main & the second grower. They will also meet all of the directors who can act as back up support. The main grower will manage their daily routine & work plan. The volunteer will be treated as a trainee & as such each task will be explained & supported. It is up to the trainee to ask for further support in areas they are particularly interested to learn more about.
The volunteer will work 32 hours a week & occasionally be responsible for watering polytunnel crops at the weekend.
Required skills
Cae Tan is looking for volunteers with an interest in agriculture and community growing. Experience of working on a farm may be useful but is not our foremost criteria. The projects hosted by Cae Tan are open to all young people, regardless of background, competences and experience. The projects hosted by Cae Tan is open to all young people aged 18 – 30 , regardless of background, competences and experience. Volunteers ideally will:
- Have an interest in agriculture and community growing
- Have experienced work with and/ or have an interest in working in a community based agriculture scheme
- Have a good level of English and a commitment to improving their English (to be able to get the most from the placement)
- Be flexible and adaptable to change
- Be reliable
- Have a willingness to develop projects and pieces of work according to interests.
Practical conditions
ESC volunteers will be staying in accommodation at the Gower Heritage Centre in Parkmill. They will be based in an environment close to the coast & a 30 minute bus ride from the centre of town. They will receive their allowance for food and pocket money into their UK bank account once it is set up. There is limited wifi on the place. It is not very strong and also the phone reception is not 100% given in some of the areas.
Application Process
Whilst Cae Tan is the actual host of this project, WCIA is the coordinating organisation and administrating the whole project. Please read carefully through the description, consider to go online as well to find more information about Cae Tan (www.caetancsa.org). The project will start on April 2023 to September 2023 (6 months). Please make sure you are available to dedicate this time period to volunteering in Wales. Please send your CV and motivation letter to danielmapatac@wcia.org.uk Partner countries of this project (Volunteers from these countries are eligible to apply) Volunteers from Ukraine, Spain, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France and Italy are welcome to apply.
3) ESC IN WALES, United Kingdom Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture (COCA)
1st April to 30th September 2023
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Host project
Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture (COCA) is a community supported agriculture scheme based near St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales. COCA consists of around 50 household members who work together to grow their own vegetables, salads and soft fruits and support a local farmer by sharing the risks and rewards together.
COCA aims to educate people in sustainable food production and to promote organic food and community supported agriculture. COCA is part of a growing movement called community supported agriculture
(CSA). COCA’s objectives are as follows:
- Produce and enable wider access to local food
- Enable members to live well and eat well in an organic and sustainable way
- Support sustainable food production in the local area
- Grow a community around the project based on shared work, social activity and a spirit of friendship.
COCA is a community based scheme and all members do work together on a voluntary basis to obtain the organisation‘s objectives. Besides the local volunteers who are helping on the farm on a weekly basis, COCA has been working with international volunteers for more than 5 years. The volunteers play an important role in the work of COCA and in the day to day work at the farm.
Project outline
COCA is looking for 2 volunteers to help support and develop their work at Caerhys Organic Farm. The ESC volunteer will be actively involved in the farm work: growing, planting, transplanting and planning community growing as part of the Growing Team. The ESC volunteer will work 35 hours per week and will receive at least 2 days holiday per month. As well as this, they will have two consecutive days off each week (usually a weekend). If for any reason, the volunteer work these days they will be offered two different days off in the week to make up the time.
Required skills
COCA is looking for volunteers with an interest in environment, agriculture, horticulture, community work, and community growing. Experience of working on a farm may be useful but is not our foremost criteria. The projects hosted by COCA are open to all young people, regardless of background, competences and experience. The projects hosted by COCA is open to all young people aged 18 – 30, regardless of background, competences and experience. Volunteers ideally will:
- Have an interest in environment, agriculture, horticulture, community work and community growing
- Have experienced work with and/ or have an interest in working in a community based agriculture scheme
- Have a good level of English and a commitment to improving their English (to be able to get the most from the placement)
- Be flexible and adaptable to change
- Be reliable
- Have a willingness to develop projects and pieces of work according to interests.
Practical conditions
The ESC volunteers will live in a static mobile home on Caerhys Organic Farm. Each of them will have their own separate bedroom but will share kitchen, bathroom and sitting room. The static mobile home is in good condition and has been used as accommodation throughout the year for previous international volunteers. All year, other international volunteers will be hosted by COCA, which gives the ESC volunteer an opportunity of intercultural learning and sharing experience with young people from different countries. The accommodation is on site and close to the farm house where the supervisor and mentor are living. The bus stop is about 500 metres up the road to catch buses going into the city of St. Davids (only 3 buses run every day). Each month the volunteer will receive their pocket money and food allowance directly into their bank accounts (they will be supported to set up UK accounts). In addition, the ESC volunteer will receive a share of the harvest each week. Things you should know Because the project is very remote/ isolated, the volunteer should be interested and motivated in living in a beautiful but remote area of West Wales. There is limited INTERNET on the farm and very bad signal.
Application Process
Whilst COCA is the actual host of this project, WCIA is the coordinating organisation and administrating the whole ESC project. Please read carefully through the description, consider to go online as well to find more information about COCA (www.coca–csa.org ). To apply please send your CV and motivation letter to danielmapatac@wcia.org.uk The project will run from 1st April to 30th September 2023. Please make sure you are available to dedicate this time period to volunteering in Wales. Volunteers from the following country are eligible to apply: Ukraine, Estonia, Germany, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic and Austria
