Volunteering

[Talvenloppu]

Does anyone know whether there are any possibilities for volunteering in Finland?

[mrjimsfc]

These people should be just what you're looking for. Voluteer opportunities not only in Finland but all over the world!

[Talvenloppu]

Thanks mrjimsfc, my youngest used to go on CISV which sounds similar but with less work involved!

I was more looking for specific local information, imagining local groups, either voluntary or needing volunteers, working with old people or young, or volunteers used for civic activities, environmental, health and diversity etc.

I wonder if such a thing exists t/here, with talkoot, the general civic code and social responsibility naturally filling the space. Perhaps it is an alien and unnecessary concept in Finland.

[EP]

You don´t say where you are located. There are lots of volunteers (but not nearly enough) for example in old people´s homes. They are needed to take the old people out to get fresh air, sometimes they help in feeding those who are unable to eat themselves, and often they are needed just for company.

[kalmisto]

Info in English on voluntary work in Helsinki :
http://www.hel2.fi/vapaaehtoistyon_neuv ... glish.html

And in Turku I would recommend Uusi Tuuli Ry. Here is their home page in English :
http://www.estelle.fi/en/uusi-tuuli

[Talvenloppu]

You don´t say where you are located.

I'm in Lappeenranta.

There are lots of volunteers (but not nearly enough) for example in old people´s homes. They are needed to take the old people out to get fresh air, sometimes they help in feeding those who are unable to eat themselves, and often they are needed just for company.

Do you know who manages this work?

[Talvenloppu]

Thank you very much "kalmisto". Both sites are really very interesting.

[kalmisto]

Thank you very much "kalmisto". Both sites are really very interesting.

You are welcome !

You could contact the Red Cross in Lappeenranta. Here is their page ( unfortunately only in Finnish ) :
http://www.redcross.fi/aktiivit/osastot ... I/etusivu/

You can write to lappeenranta.osasto(at )redcross.inet.fi

The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers.

Here is info on the Finnish Red Cross in English :
http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/

[EP]

These three places organize volunteer work in Lappeenranta:

Lappeenrannan vapaaehtoiskeskus Kuutinkulma
Valtakatu 23
puh. (05) 352 6389 ma–pe klo 9.00–15.00 Ulla Rustholkarhu

Lappeenrannan diakoniatyö
puh. 040 3126 600 (vaihde)

SPR:n Lappeenrannan osasto
Raatimiehenkatu 20 D
puh. (05) 451 3217 ma–pe klo 9.00–14.00

[Talvenloppu]

Wow, thanks again Kalmisto! Thinking about it Punainen Risti run the cafe in the hospital.

[Talvenloppu]

These three places organize volunteer work in Lappeenranta:

Thanks EP. Amazing!

[stewy]

WWOOF is a pretty good organisation also through which you can organise volunteer stays on organic farms.

Here is a list of the hosts in Finland.
http://www.wwoof.org/newsite08/wlist2.asp?cy=FINLAND

I met with one of the hosts before the summer, stayed overnight, and had planned to stay for several weeks, but my plans changed at the last moment.

[Talvenloppu]

WWOOF is a pretty good organisation also through which you can organise volunteer stays on organic farms.

Thanks Stewy. Could be a nice holiday plan.

[kalmisto]

Does anyone know whether there are any possibilities for volunteering in Finland?

Dave Dunne ( from Ireland ) is a volunteer for The Red Cross in Helsinki and his experiences are positive :

"One other hugely important thing I did last spring was to become involved in the Finnish Red Cross. The volunteer work is immensely rewarding, but one of the most positive things is meeting people from around the world, hearing their stories and getting to know them. The volunteers are a mix of Finns and non-Finns, internationally-minded and, by the nature of the Red Cross movement, without prejudice and willing to help others. And so steadily the circle keeps expanding."

the text above is taken from this article ( "Happy to be a foreigner" ) here :
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/news/index. ... -foreigner

[vespasian]

Hi, I am wondering if there is any voluntary activities related to arts in Metropolitan area? Thank you!