"Heart Matters" ESC in Estonia

“Heart Matters ESC” is calling volunteers for:

1. Vääna-Viti Home – 2 volunteers

Details: Vääna-Viti Home offers services for people (adults) with intellectual and mental disabilities. Everyday we work for one goal- that people who live with us should have active and positive day no matter of their age, gender or disability. We are also very active in sports like walking, games, dancing, singing and activities like art and handicraft. We are always standing for disabled people´s rights to be involved in society and feel safe at home. We support every person to be as independent as they can. We concentrate in everyday activities which people in their homes are carrying out – cleaning, working in the kitchen, outside in the garden, where in summertime grow herbs, vegetables and flowers. We are guiding and teaching our clients how to carry on these activities on their own as much as their skills and disabilities are allowing.

Service duration: November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We expect that the volunteer is committed to the project, is independent and active, positive, open minded, flexible and willing to learn. Also active to support our clients in everyday activities – working activities, hobbies and also to be ready to give suggestions to improvement of our service. Some experience in work with people with special needs would be an advantage. Positive way of life – friendliness and sociability are the characteristics that describe a successful volunteer candidate. We also expect the candidate to be reliable, responsible and taking initiative. Previous experience in working with people with disabilities is an asset but necessary. Volunteers should be ready to live in a small community (30 min bus ride from Tallinn).

2. Tapa Home – 2 volunteers

Details: Tapa Home is a home for 60 people who live with mental disability. Tapa home has 26 staff members who have received special preparation for working with the mentioned target group. Tapa Kodu’s mission is to have active and positive day for all the clients no matter their gender, age or disability. They dance, walk, sing, play board games and organise events and art workshops. Volunteer will assist staff members in their daily activities.

Service duration: from November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We wish our volunteer to be committed to the service, independent, active, positive, open minded, with sense of responsibility, flexible and ready to learn new things. Previous experience in working with people living with various abilities is an asset. Basic English is needed.

3. Paldiski Home

Details: Paldiski Lääne Home is an organisation offering service for 24 people living with mental disabilities who move independently but need assistance in daily life. Clients cook and clean the household themselves. During summer we work in the garden. Some clients love long walks at the beach and some go to work. Volunteer can assist staff members in daily activities and accompanies clients in the community events. Volunteer can organise free time activities – dance, arts, music, walking etc individually with with one client or in a group. Paldiski is near Keila and Tallinn (capital). With both cities you have good transport connection.

Service duration: from November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We wish our volunteers to have a positive outlook on life, practice empathy, and is ready to work with people living with mental disabilities. Previous experience with the target group is good but not mandatory. We need a volunteer who is open minded, social and has the courage to communicate.

4. Tallinn Kopli Home

Details: Kopli Home is a home for 24 people who live with mental disability. They are in age range of 20 until 75 years old. Kopli home has 13 staff members who have received special preparation for working with the mentioned target group. Kopli Kodu’s mission is to have active and positive day for all the clients no matter their gender, age or disability. They dance, walk, sing, play board games and organise events and art workshops. Volunteer will assist staff members in their daily activities.

Service duration: November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We wish our volunteer to be committed to the service, independent, active, positive, open minded, with sense of responsibility, flexible and ready to learn new things. Previous experience in working with people living with various abilities is an asset. Basic English is needed.

5. Tallinn Paljassaare Home

Details: Kopli Home is a home for 24 people who live with mental disability. They are in age range of 20 until 75 years old. Kopli home has 13 staff members who have received special preparation for working with the mentioned target group. Kopli Kodu’s mission is to have active and positive day for all the clients no matter their gender, age or disability. They dance, walk, sing, play board games and organise events and art workshops. Volunteer will assist staff members in their daily activities.

Service duration: from November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We wish our volunteer to be committed to the service, independent, active, positive, open minded, with sense of responsibility, flexible and ready to learn new things. Previous experience in working with people living with various abilities is an asset. Basic English is needed.

6. Vinger Day Care Center

Details: Day Care centre Vinger offers services for people with intellectual and learning disabilities. In the centre clients learn basic things like cooking, cleaning, etc.. Volunteer will be assisting clients with their daily activities and is welcome to initiate her/his own workshops and can also initiate his/her own workshops. Day Care centre Vinger is in small and beautiful Viljandi city, South of Estonia.

Service duration: starting October 2021 until August 2022 (10 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: Volunteer should be motivated to work with people with disabilities. It would be good if she/he has previous experiences in the field but it is not determining facto in the application process. Volunteer should have sense of self initiative and be proactive. Basic English is required.

7. Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Center

Details: Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre is a unique center in Estonia, Tallinn with more than 20 years of experience in providing services for people with special needs. Astangu Center develops the Estonian rehabilitation area and shares its experience with other service providers. The main services we provide are rehabilitation services, job and capacity assessment, learning opportunities, job opportunities, employment and work placement support. The common goal of these services is to prepare people for working life through the development of work skills and capabilities. Since we began to provide services in 1996, hundreds of people have come to the labor market with our support. On daily bases volunteer will work with our clients in education, rehabilitation and defended work departments assisting teachers.

Service duration: from October 2021 until July 2022 (9 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We are waiting for a volunteers who is open and has good communication skills. Someone who is ready to work with people with special needs and has a sense of initiative. It is beneficial if you have worked with the mentioned target group before. Basic English needed.

8. Käo Support centre – 2 volunteers

Details: KÄO centre for adults offers services for people living with mental and multiple disabilities. Volunteer will be assisting teachers during various activities and workshops done together with the clients. Volunteer has the opportunity to offer her/his own activities for the clients. Location is in Tallinn.

Duration: from October 2021 until July 2022 (9 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: Ideal volunteer is independent, has a good tolerance of routine, calm, and with a sense of responsibility.

9. Käo Support Children centre

Details: KÄO centre for children offers services for kids living with severe mental and multiple disabilities. Volunteer will be assisting teachers during various activities and workshops done together with the clients. Volunteer has the opportunity to offer her/his own activities for the clients. Location is in Tallinn.

Duration: from October 2021 until July 2022 (9 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: Ideal volunteer is independent, has a good tolerance of routine, calm, and with a sense of responsibility.

10. Support centre Juks – 2 volunteers

Details: Juks is a modern support centre which offers services for people with intellectual and learning disabilities (mostly young adults). It is an organisation that is running like a day care centre where clients come in the morning and in the evening. Volunteer will be assisting teachers during various activities and is welcome to initiate her/his own workshops. Volunteers can learn about Estonian social system, alternative communication, organising events and workshops. There will be 2 international volunteers working in the centre at the same time but in different groups. Location is in Tallinn.

Service duration: from October 2021 until June 2022 (10 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: Volunteers should be motivated to work with people with disabilities. Open minded and accepting. It would be good if she/he has previous experiences in the field but it is not determining fact in the application process. Volunteers should be open to use creative methods while communicating with the clients because some of them do not speak any verbal language. Juks is a big centre hence flexibility helps volunteers to adjust with the work culture. Basic English is required.

11. Aruküla School and Kindergarten – 2 volunteers

Details: Aruküla is a small community near Tallinn (20 min train ride away). Volunteer has the opportunity to contribute in different levels – work with kids (from 3 yo to 16 yo) but also organise things for the wider community. Aruküla is small but lively community, local people are also active young family people who like when things are happening in their community.

Service duration: from October 2021 until August 2022 (10 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: Volunteers should be motivated to work with people with youth and kids. Open minded and accepting. Volunteers should be open to use creative methods. Basic English is required.

12. Mustamäe Home

Details: Mustamäe Home is a home for 24 people who live with mental disability. They are in age range of 20 until 75 years old. Mustamäe home has 13 staff members who have received special preparation for working with the mentioned target group. Mustamäe Kodu’s mission is to have active and positive day for all the clients no matter their gender, age or disability. They dance, walk, sing, play board games and organise events and art workshops. Volunteer will assist staff members in their daily activities. Duration of the service is from November 2021 until November 2022.

Service duration: from November 2021 until November 2022 (12 months).

Preferred profile of the volunteer: We wish our volunteer to be committed to the service, independent, active, positive, open minded, with sense of responsibility, flexible and ready to learn new things. Previous experience in working with people living with various abilities is an asset. Basic English is needed.