Topic: Accessibility of Voluntary Service

The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations has chosen a topic "Accessibility of Voluntary Service" as we feel that the world of voluntary service is not as open as it might seem. It could sound paradoxical, however, there are many obstacles which could discourage people to become volunteers.

To have a better idea what kind of obstacles you can meet, we can give you following examples: no access to Internet, rural areas with lack of information on voluntary service programmes, the age (bad feelings in a group of youngsters), physical handicap, language barrier, no or very little money, no travel experience, parents/family do not like the idea of travelling abroad/workcamps and therefore will give no support to the volunteer, etc.

Do you feel like reacting to the following statements - please do it! Right now!

• Should volunteers pay to participate in the projects?
• A person on a wheelchair is a black sheep within a group of volunteers.
• Only people who had travelled a lot first can do a voluntary service abroad.
• A person doing voluntary service must have a clear idea of his/her future plans.
• The parents of young volunteer do not need to agree with the volontariat of their son/daughter.
• Only people from the cities can participate in the voluntary service abroad, because they are used to the everyday contact with many new people.
• The project where the volunteers help should pay for all their personal expenses, including the entertainment.
• The contact with animals should be strictly forbidden during the voluntary service.
• The relatives of the volunteer should visit him at least every two weeks during the long term voluntary service, and should write to him every week.
• People older than 30 years should not participate in the international voluntary service.
• Somebody who does not speak perfect English should not have the right to go abroad.
• To do a voluntary service is better than to be unemployed.
• Voluntary service can replace other forms of formal education.
• It is better to go for holidays as an independent back packer than to be limited by a group of volunteers for 2-3 weeks.
• People younger than 20 should not participate in the international voluntary service!

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