Reach Out
Last year, on December 5th—International Volunteer Day—Barcelona was named European Volunteering Capital for 2014, in recognition of the city’s dynamic non-profit sector and the high level of involvement in volunteering by its residents. We’ve put together a list of places that are always in need of a helping hand.
HACESFALTA.ORG
This website acts as a portal for volunteer groups and makes getting involved
easy. Through the site you can access positions in volunteer work all over
Spain. The variety of skills needed is huge; from translators, sports teachers,
painters and community managers to videographers, graphic designers and
people who can just keep someone company awhile. The volunteer groups
that advertise here are just as diverse, including large organisations such as
Médicos sin Fronteras, and smaller local groups and day centres that help
children, elderly people and people with mental and physical disabiltiies.
ARRELS FUNDACIÓ
This organisation’s main objective is to raise public awareness about
homelessness. Since 1987 they have supported more than 8,000 people on
the streets, helping them to get back on their feet by providing accommodation
and food, as well as health and social care. There are a number of ways to
volunteer. You can join the team that goes out on the street, help out in the day
centre, visit people who have been rehoused or are in hospital, take part in the
workshops, or give a hand maintaining the day centre.
ESPERANÇA
This is a local group of volunteers organised by Julie Stephenson and Julia
Fossi from Liverpool. Every week they hand out food, clothing and a bit of
kindess to the homeless on the streets of Barcelona. They are always looking
for help in providing and preparing food, as well as collecting items of clothing
such as socks, hats, gloves, scarves and blankets. They currently make
rounds in the city centre on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings between
8.30pm and 10.45pm, with a minimum of three volunteers each night. There is
also a central point of collection for anybody who wants to drop off clothing or
food. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
www.facebook.com/groups/esperancabcn
PROTECTORABCN
This nonprofit association’s main objective is to help animals who have been
abused or neglected—mainly dogs and cats—housing them in a shelter for as
long as necessary until they are found a home. Volunteers are needed for cat
care and dog-walking. If you don’t have time but would like to help out, you can
also sponsor an animal.
EL JARDINET DELS GATS
This project was started in 2005 in collaboration with the district of Ciutat Vella
and functions with a team of volunteers who take care of abandoned and stray
cats through various tasks such as cleaning the space, feeding, and playtime.
It is located just off Las Ramblas in an open garden space. There are many
ways you can become a volunteer.
‘As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.’
-Audrey Hepburn