Volunteer with us - General Volunteer
Glocal Roots is searching for volunteers to join our project in Kos, Greece. We are a non-profit grassroot organisation with projects in Switzerland and Greece, aiming to promote and enable the transition for displaced people away from dependency towards increased
self-reliance, resilience, and development.
On Kos, Glocal Roots is the sole NGO providing material and integration support outside the camp on the island of Kos. Our hub located in Kos town provides assistance to refugees who reside in the camp or have self-accommodated in the town, especially in their initial stages in Greece. Our primary focus is to cover gaps in basic needs and aid in people’s inclusion into society and empowerment, and do it fairly.
In The Hub, we have a Free Shop where we distribute hygiene and food products once a month to the displaced people that reside on the island. We also have a Community Centre, providing a safe space where people can have a cup of tea or coffee, eat some snacks and spend time on it. In this area other different activities are happening, such as English classes, different cultural events, recreational activities, or workshops, depending on our volunteer and team members skills. We also run a Help Desk, where we aim to support refugees and asylum-seekers in the different questions they might have according to access integration basic services, for instance, the research for jobs and housing, or any other questions or concerns.
The times that our centre and shop are open might be different regarding the different seasons.
Our Team on Kos
The team on Kos is made up of one Project Coordinator and both international and community volunteers, coming from different countries. In addition to volunteers who come from around the world, we are proud that the composition of the team also often includes incredibly talented volunteers from the community we are supporting who themselves are seeking refuge and asylum in Europe and live in the camp or elsewhere on the Island.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The days at the shop and centre are very dynamic and tasks may change a little bit from day to day. Each team member will be assigned tasks and roles.
However, the main daily tasks and responsibilities of volunteers may include:
Registering new people in the Free Shop
Explaining how the Free Shop works and assisting people in their shopping
Preparing the Free Shop and keeping track of the stock and storage
Shopping, going to suppliers, shops, collecting or gathering aid.
If you are a driver you may be needed for transportation of aid, supplies, other volunteers, and those we are helping to support with their general wellbeing.
Welcoming and maintain the community centre and the common areas
Cleaning the bathrooms, community centre, shop, storage, kitchen, garden area and the entrance
Organising recreational and other type of activities
Sitting and chatting with and preparing tea and coffee for the people in the community centre
Supporting people through our Help Desk (replying to Whatsapp inquiries, searching apartments, referrals to other organizations, organizing doctor’s appointments, etc.)
Supporting in other administrative tasks (mail, receipts, advertisements, etc.
Social media content
Running errands
Teaching English classes (beginner level)
Preparing and going on deliveries
… and more!
Volunteers are invited to bring in their own ideas and propose projects to the coordinator and the rest of team members. We welcome everyone to participate in the decision making. As the project’s may require adjustments, it is important that our volunteers are adaptable and flexible. To guarantee more stability and consistency for our community members and projects, we ask volunteers to stay at least one month or more.
Accommodation and Costs
Volunteers are responsible for covering transport costs to and from Kos. Shared accommodation with single rooms is provided in our volunteer flat for €12 per night (for full-time volunteers). You will need to cover your own expenses (this includes your personal food and other things you might need).
By volunteering with Glocal Roots in Kos, you will play a vital role in supporting people on the move, and promoting their independence, and fostering integration within the community.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our team in Kos, send an email to sara@glocalroots.org, telling us a little about who you are and why you are interested in volunteering with us. If you can, please also mention the approximate dates you are available and any special interests or skills you have. We will get in touch to set up a video call with you to talk further. Should it work for you to come to the Centre, we will email you our pre-arrival information packet to help you get ready!
The context
THE SITUATION ON KOS
Located in Kos town, The Hub aims to support displaced people through their initial stages in Greece. Our primary focus is to cover gaps in the basic needs of refugees and to support them with their integration, as this is crucial for their long-term well-being.
As it stands, the basic needs of refugees are not being met and they face numerous obstacles throughout their early stages in the country. For example, there is a considerable lack of hygiene items provided inside the camp, so we work to supplement this. Additionally, once granted asylum, people are expelled from the camp and no longer receive governmental aid to cover their fundamental requirements. People self-accommodate where possible, though some experience homelessness as high levels of tourism on Kos make affordable accommodation extremely difficult to find. These conditions mean that many people experience demotivation, social exclusion, and a decline in mental health. To prevent this, our Hub offers a diverse array of support and a friendly space to spend the day.
Despite Kos being the second-largest entry point for refugees in the Greek islands, we are currently the only organisation on the island addressing basic needs outside of the closed and controlled camp. This makes what we do crucial, and we currently reach approximately 1800 people per month.
OUR OUTPUT
FREE SHOP
Currently we distribute the following:
- Dry food products such as flour, tomato sauce, spaghetti, chickpeas, lentils, rice, or dates
- Hygiene items such as shampoo, wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nappies, or sanitary pads among others
- Clothes donated from the local community on Kos
OUR OUTPUT
COMMUNITY SPACE
In our community area we provide the following services:
- A safe and friendly community space/café for people to spend the day
- English and Greek language classes
- Community activities such as drawing, crafting, playing board games, dancing, and cooking
- CV building workshops
OUR OUTPUT
HELP DESK
- Hospital visits and doctors appointments
- Visits to local authorities
- Opening bank accounts
- Looking for accomodation
- Enrolling children in local schools
- Obtaining and filling out documents for various needs
OUR OUTPUT
JOB PLACEMENT
With our job placement programme, we place refugees in local tourism businesses. The Greek tourism industry benefits from labour and the refugees from job opportunities.
Through this initiative, we work closely with local tourism businesses to match refugees with available job openings. The benefits of our job placement programme are two-fold. Firstly, it helps the Greek tourism industry to address its labour needs. Secondly, it creates job opportunities for refugees, allowing them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the local community.
