Exceptional Volunteering opportunity in Spain to work with the elderly

In a world experiencing rapid advancement across all aspects of life, maintaining intergenerational communication and appreciating the experiences of elderly people becomes increasingly important. This is where the significance of the “Shared Lives” project emerges, representing a unique opportunity for European youth to participate in a meaningful volunteer experience in the heart of beautiful Spain.

Introduction to the European Solidarity Corps Program

The European Solidarity Corps program stands as one of the most important initiatives aimed at promoting cultural exchange and experiences among European youth. This ambitious program opens doors for thousands of young people annually to engage in enriching volunteer experiences that contribute to personal development and cultural knowledge enhancement.

Through the “Shared Lives” project in the municipality of Sant Lluís, Spain, young volunteers have a golden opportunity to participate in community service and learn through interaction with elderly people. This project embodies the spirit of European solidarity and emphasizes the importance of human connections that transcend borders and cultures.

Overview of the Shared Lives Project

The Spanish island of Menorca is distinguished by its stunning nature and rich cultural heritage, and at the heart of this island lies the municipality of Sant Lluís, which hosts this distinctive humanitarian project. The project doesn’t merely focus on providing services but aims to create genuine bridges between different generations.

Project Details and Location

• Organizing Body: Municipality of Sant Lluís (Ajuntament de Sant Lluís)
• Location: Sant Lluís, Spain
• Address: Lannion 136, Sant Lluís, Spain
• Program Duration: 51 weeks (from September 20, 2025, to September 18, 2026)

The “Shared Lives” project is based on the principle of intergenerational exchange, where young volunteers can imagine, prepare, and lead diverse activities for users of the Sant Lluís Geriatric Center. This direct interaction creates a unique educational environment that benefits both volunteers and elderly people alike. The project’s fundamental philosophy is that each generation has something to offer the other: youth bring energy and new ideas, while elderly people share their valuable wisdom and life experiences.

Activities and Required Responsibilities Volunteering

Working on this project requires creativity and deep understanding of elderly people’s needs, where volunteers are asked to design and implement diverse programs that meet residents’ physical, psychological, and social needs.

Types of Activities

Volunteers in this project will organize and implement a variety of activities, including:

• Craft Activities: Artistic and craft workshops that stimulate creativity and develop motor skills
• Memory Activities: Interactive sessions aimed at stimulating memory and strengthening cognitive functions
• Adapted Physical Activities: Exercise programs specifically designed to suit elderly people’s capabilities
• Social Activities: Events that promote social interaction and communication

Work and Learning Environment

The project provides volunteers with a unique opportunity to learn care mechanisms and accompany residents in their daily routine. This practical experience helps develop skills in dealing with elderly people and understanding their needs more deeply. Volunteers will become an integral part of the local community through their interaction with residents, their families, and center staff, enhancing their understanding of Spanish culture and democratic values such as solidarity and social cohesion.

Terms and Requirements

The success of this project largely depends on selecting appropriate volunteers who possess the passion and necessary skills to work in this sensitive and important field.

Number of Volunteers and Teamwork

• The project seeks two volunteers to work as one team
• Work requires cooperation and coordination between volunteers
• Working hours are limited to a maximum of 35 hours per week

Required Skills and Qualities

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualities:

• Passion for working with elderly people: Love for interacting with the older age group
• Empathy and patience: Ability to deal sensitively with elderly people’s needs
• Organizational skills: Ability to plan and implement various activities
• Good listening skills: Essential for effective communication
• Basic Spanish knowledge: Useful as communication will primarily be in this language

Accommodation and Support Provided

Recognizing the importance of providing a comfortable and supportive environment for volunteers, the organization is committed to providing all necessary services and facilities to ensure a successful and fruitful volunteer experience. This comprehensive support enables volunteers to focus on their primary tasks without worrying about basic needs.

Housing Arrangements

• Shared accommodation for 4 volunteers in one apartment in the village center
• Fully equipped apartment with all costs paid by the organization
• Ideal location just 2 minutes’ walk from the organization’s headquarters

Financial Support and Transportation

• Living allowance: Determined according to the volunteer’s country of origin
• Personal expense money: Including shopping and daily expenses
• Transport card: For bus travel to other towns on the island
• Full accommodation coverage: Including bills and utilities

Training and Development Program

Continuous training and professional development are integral parts of the volunteer experience in this project. The organization believes that investing in volunteer training positively reflects on the quality of services provided and on volunteers’ personal experiences.

Initial Training

• Detailed explanation of the nature of annual activities
• One-week training upon arrival during the first month
• Workshops for sharing experiences with other volunteers

Continuous Development

• Weekly Spanish lessons: To improve communication skills
• Mid-term training: Additional week of advanced training
• European dimension networking: Through interaction with volunteers from different countries

Benefits and Advantages

The volunteer experience in the “Shared Lives” project transcends the traditional concept of giving to become a mutual learning journey that benefits all participating parties. This comprehensive experience leaves a deep impact on volunteers’ lives and contributes to shaping their vision for the future.

For Volunteers

• Rich cultural experience: Living in Spain and getting to know local culture
• Personal skill development: Leadership, empathy, communication
• International network: Connecting with volunteers from across Europe
• Spanish language mastery: Through daily practice
• Care sector experience: Valuable for future career paths

For the Local Community

• Enriching elderly people’s lives: Through diverse and new activities
• Cultural exchange: Residents getting to know different European cultures
• Energy and vitality: Bringing youth and activity into the environment
• Promoting democratic values: Such as solidarity and social cohesion

Eligible Countries for Participation

The European Solidarity Corps program is distinguished by its inclusiveness and openness to citizens of many European countries and some neighboring countries, ensuring rich cultural diversity that enriches all participants’ experiences.

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Citizens from the following countries can apply for the project: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, North Macedonia, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Barthélemy, Serbia, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Wallis and Futuna.

Main Activity Topics

The project focuses on three main axes that form the backbone of activities and programs offered. These axes have been carefully chosen to meet elderly people’s basic needs and achieve maximum benefit from intergenerational interaction.

Social Challenges

The project focuses on addressing various social challenges faced by elderly people, such as social isolation and the need for continuous interaction.

Health and Wellbeing

Activities focus on promoting elderly people’s mental and physical health through specialized and well-studied programs.

Education and Training

The project provides a continuous educational environment for both volunteers and elderly people, creating fruitful knowledge exchange.

How to Apply

The application process for this project has been designed to be simple and flexible, allowing interested individuals from various backgrounds and circumstances a fair opportunity to participate. Timing flexibility reflects the organization’s understanding of applicants’ diverse circumstances and different needs.

Application Process

• No application deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time
• Type of volunteering: Individual
• Application method: By clicking the “APPLY” button

Application Preparation

Applicants are advised to:

• Prepare a CV highlighting experiences in volunteer work or with elderly people
• Write a motivational letter explaining the motivation for participation
• Prepare examples of activities that can be organized
• Show readiness to learn and adapt to a new culture

Expected Project Impact

The volunteer experience in the “Shared Lives” project transcends the defined time period to leave a lasting impact on all participants’ lives. This impact extends to include personal, professional, and social dimensions, making this experience a real investment in the future.

On a Personal Level

This experience will be pivotal in volunteers’ lives, providing them with:

• Personal maturity: Through taking responsibility and working with a different age group
• Professional skills: Applicable in healthcare and social care fields
• Network: With professionals in care field and international volunteers
• Cultural understanding: Deep understanding of Spanish society and Mediterranean traditions

On a Community Level

The project will contribute to:

• Improving quality of life: For elderly people in the region
• Promoting cultural understanding: Between different generations and nationalities
• Spreading solidarity values: And social responsibility
• Creating a model: Replicable in other regions

Conclusion

In a world where life’s pace accelerates and the gap between generations widens, the “Shared Lives” project comes to remind us of the importance of human communication and genuine interaction between different generations.

The “Shared Lives” project in Sant Lluís, Spain, represents an exceptional opportunity for European youth to participate in a meaningful and enriching volunteer experience. Through working with elderly people, volunteers will be able to develop their personal and professional skills while contributing to improving the quality of life for an important segment of society.

The program provides comprehensive support from accommodation and living expenses to training and development, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to engage in an international volunteer experience with meaning and value. The absence of an application deadline also provides interested individuals with sufficient flexibility to prepare and apply at the right time for them.

This project is not just a volunteer opportunity, but an investment in personal and professional future, and a chance to contribute to building a more solidary and understanding society between different generations and cultures.