🇮🇹 ESC Volunteering in Italy 🏠 Housing Community for At-Risk Boys 🌊 Social Inclusion, Menfi/Sicily 🇮🇹
Are you between 23 and 30, with a background or experience in social work or psychology — patient, creative, and ready to live and work in a small Sicilian town with young people who need genuine support? Istituto Walden, a social cooperative in Menfi, Sicily, is looking for one ESC volunteer to join the team at a shelter for boys aged 14–18 who are on a path of rehabilitation and social inclusion. You will share daily life with the residents — supporting their education, running creative workshops, organising celebrations, and contributing to the rhythm of a real community. CV and motivation letter must be in English. Deadline: 22 March 2026.
🇮🇹 Did You Know? Menfi is a small town in the Agrigento province of southwestern Sicily — perched on hills overlooking the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and the nature reserve of Foce del Belice. It sits just a few kilometres from some of Sicily’s most beautiful and untouched beaches, and not far from the Valle dei Templi — one of the most remarkable collections of ancient Greek ruins in the world. Living in Menfi means inhabiting one of the most quietly extraordinary corners of the Mediterranean.
What Will You Do?
📚Support the youngsters’ education through after-school activities — homework support, foreign language lessons, and educational workshops tailored to their needs and interests
🎭
Create fun and engaging workshops for the residents — cooking, theatre, music, and other creative activities that build confidence, connection, and skills
🗣️Facilitate language exchange — sharing your language and culture with the boys while learning Italian in return
🎉Organise celebrations for special occasions and festivities — bringing joy and community spirit into the daily life of the shelter
🍳Manage daily life in the community — preparing shared meals, keeping the space clean and welcoming, and helping residents with their everyday practical needs
🚗Accompany youngsters on trips to discover Menfi and the surrounding area — expanding their world and building trust through shared experiences outside the shelter
💡 Did You Know? Istituto Walden — the host organisation for this placement — takes its name from Henry David Thoreau’s famous 1854 memoir about deliberate, intentional living. The name reflects the cooperative’s philosophy: that young people in difficult circumstances can rebuild their lives through structure, community, and meaningful daily experience. The shelter model used by Istituto Walden is part of Italy’s broader network of residential care communities for minors — one of the most developed such systems in Europe.
Accommodation, Food & Travel
🏠Shared flat in Menfi with double bedrooms, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a dining room — shared with another volunteer
💰€6 per day pocket money plus €100 per month for food expenses
⏱️35 working hours per week maximum, 5 days per week, with 2 consecutive days off — plus 2 additional free days per month. Days off cannot overlap with those of other volunteers and will not fall on weekends
✈️Travel support provided in accordance with ESC programme rules
Training & Learning
📚On-arrival training with Associazione Joint (coordinating organisation) and the Italian National Agency
🇮🇹Italian online language course — provided to support your integration and daily communication
🎓Specific training for project activities — practical preparation for working with at-risk young people in a residential care setting
📋Mid-term and final evaluations with Associazione Joint — structured reflection and support throughout the placement
Who Can Apply?
🎂You are between approximately 23–30 years old — 1 volunteer position available (female or male)
🎓You have studies or experience in social work, psychology, or a related field — this is an essential requirement for working in a residential care setting
👦You are ready and willing to work with young boys aged 13–18 from diverse and difficult social backgrounds — patience, empathy, and respect are the most important qualities here
🏡You are ready to live in a small town — Menfi is a quiet, authentic Sicilian community, not a big city
🇮🇹You are ready to learn Italian or already have some knowledge — willingness to engage with the local language is expected
📝Your CV and motivation letter must be submitted in English — only complete applications will be considered
✅You are available for the full project period — this is a long-term placement and full commitment from start to finish is required
Activity Dates & Key Information
Eligible Countries
🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czechia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain
Application Link
⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the opportunity organiser.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The organiser is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including eligibility criteria, conditions, or deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the organiser.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official organiser or programme website before applying.
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