Hosting
What does it look like to volunteer for YFU Flanders
Mechelen, nestled in the heart of Flanders, is a quaint city where you will both live and work. However, your work will often entail traveling around the country. Fortunately, the public transportation system is well-organized, providing easy access to the capital city Brussels, the seaside, and the picturesque Ardennes mountains with just a short train ride.
Characterized by its rich multiculturalism and vibrant student atmosphere, Mechelen offers something for everyone. Surrounded by nature parks in nearly every direction, the city provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy leisurely hikes in Het Mechels Broek, bouldering at Het KlimKaffee, or savoring a local beer at De Vismarkt or our city brewery Het Anker, Mechelen truly caters to diverse interests and tastes.
your work
what, when and where?
During your volunteering project, you will be expected to work five days a week, typically from Monday to Friday. However, there may be occasions when you'll need to organize events during weekends or evenings. It's essential to collaborate closely with your project coordinator to manage your workload effectively. While you won't be required to track your working hours, completing your assigned tasks in a timely manner is paramount.
We value granting you a significant degree of autonomy within the project framework, but with this freedom comes responsibility. It's crucial for you to be accountable and considerate of your commitments. Bi-weekly follow-up sessions with your project coordinator will serve as a guiding platform. These meetings will involve discussing recent developments, planning future events, addressing challenges, and setting goals to ensure alignment between your expectations, project reality, and schedule.
During our weekly team meetings, you have the opportunity to ask questions to the team and explore potential collaborations with colleagues on various projects. These sessions aim to keep everyone informed, as we operate as a small team, but also serve as occasions to inspire creativity and foster collaboration.
Monday to Wednesday, all colleagues convene at our office, while Thursdays and Fridays offer the flexibility to work from home, with the office remaining open. This structure allows you to plan tasks accordingly. Typically, workdays commence at 9 AM and conclude at 5 PM.
Additionally, our office observes a closure during the week between Christmas and New Year, as well as on all official public holidays. During these periods, participants in our ESC projects are not expected to work.
Accomodation
Where you will live
Although YFU collaborates with host families for its exchange students, our ESC volunteers are housed in two rooms within a student dormitory situated in the center of Mechelen. This location is conveniently close to our office, a train station, and numerous shops and bars, all nestled in the historic heart of the city.In these accommodations, you will have your own room but will share a kitchen and bathroom with other residents. It will be necessary to coordinate and agree upon arrangements with your fellow residents, many of whom are international students enrolled at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. Additionally, the dormitory is overseen by a superintendent, who will introduce themselves and serve as your point of contact in case any issues arise.Your room will be provided with clean sheets, towels, and bedding. The kitchen is equipped with a variety of utensils. If you require anything else, we offer a small budget for enhancing your quality of life.
Transportation
Getting places
Your accommodation is centrally situated in Mechelen, offering easy access on foot to the YFU office, as well as the train and bus stations, along with a myriad of shops, restaurants, and bars. Upon your arrival in Flanders, you'll receive an annual bus pass. Additionally, for each quarter of your stay, you'll be provided with a 10-ride train ticket. Furthermore, a bicycle will be at your disposal, reflecting the widespread use of cycling among Belgians. All work-related travel expenses will be reimbursed, and in exceptional circumstances, you may request a lift from a colleague.
Finances
What you are entitled to under your ESC project
The European Solidarity Corps has established guidelines for organizing our activities. As such, ESC volunteers are entitled to the following benefits:
Travel: Your travel to and from Flanders is covered. While you will book your own flight in consultation with us, we will refund your ticket. Upon arrival at Brussels airport, you will take the train to Mechelen Nekkerspoel, where someone will meet you to guide you to our office and your accommodation. Additionally, upon arrival in Flanders, you will receive a pass for using buses throughout Flanders and a quarterly 10-ride ticket for trains. Furthermore, a bike will be provided for your use, as biking is a common mode of transportation in Belgium.
Pocket Money and Food Allowance: As per ESC guidelines, volunteers participating in a program in Flanders are entitled to €6 per day as pocket money, which will be paid at the beginning of each month. Similarly, a set amount will be transferred to your account monthly for food, totaling €280. This allowance is expected to cover the costs of maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet.
Accommodation: We rent two similar rooms in a student dormitory located in the center of Mechelen, within walking distance of the office and the train station. This means you will share a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom with other young people, primarily students from Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. We provide sheets, pillows, and towels. It's important to note that your volunteer project is not a typical 9-to-5 arrangement. You will live together with others, fostering a shared social life, engaging in leisure activities, and learning the Dutch language together. Our ESC volunteers are more than just colleagues; they form a close-knit community.
Language: Learning the Dutch language is a fundamental aspect of your project. Not only will it assist you in communicating with partners, students, and colleagues, but it will also enhance your sense of belonging and unlock a myriad of opportunities in Flanders. To support you in this endeavor, you will be enrolled in a language course upon your arrival. These courses are led by experienced facilitators, and you will be placed in a group based on your proficiency level in Dutch.
Insurance: Participants will enroll in Henner, the insurance provided by the European Commission for the ESC program.
If you want to learn more about the ESC and the options the Corps provides for both young people and organizations such as YFU, take a look at their yearly guidelines. Here you can find everything ranging from ensurances to travel costs. If long reads are not your cup of tea, you can always reach out the the national agency in your country. They can probably provide you with answers to all your questions.
Mentoring
Follow-up during your stay
Throughout your project, you'll collaborate closely with two key individuals. Firstly, your project coordinator, based in our office, will be your main point of contact. They possess in-depth knowledge of your project and can assist you with paperwork, goal-setting, and aligning your expectations with your work. Responsible for managing your workload, they'll organize bi-weekly follow-up meetings for progress updates and feedback sessions. Additionally, as the ultimate decision-maker for your project, they'll make final calls when necessary.Your mentor, the second contact person, operates outside the office but boasts a solid understanding of YFU as an organization. Serving as your initial friend or buddy, they reside in Mechelen, offering easy accessibility. Your mentor serves as a valuable resource for inquiries about life in Flanders and provides a supportive environment for discussing any work-related challenges that may arise. While no set meetings are scheduled with your mentor, they'll likely initiate contact more frequently at the outset of your project.
In case of any issues, your mentor and project coordinator will convene to address and resolve concerns, ensuring your needs are met and your voice is heard.