VOLUNTEER ACTION FOR PEACE, United Kingdom Branch of YAP (VAP UK) www.vap-uk.org Email: action@vap-uk.org VAP is the United Kingdom Branch of Youth Action for Peace. VAP is an organisation owned by its members and democratically managed by an annually elected committee. Most committee members are former volunteers. The primary activity of VAP is the recruitment, training and exchange of international volunteers on international workcamps, although we are working towards the development of an M/LTV programme and on the work of social inclusion of asylum seekers and refugees in our UK programme. Much of our work is spent developing international voluntary service in the UK either through publicity for volunteers or in support of our UK programme of international workcamps. The day to day work is carried out by the Secretary (half time paid staff) and the Executive Committee members and active volunteers. General conditions for participation in our workcamps: - AGE: Our camps are open to all people aged 18+. - LANGUAGE: English is obviously the camp language in our projects although nobody needs to speak it fluently to join our camps. VAP UK WORKCAMPS IN 2008 Code/Name/Location Dates Type Age Vols VAP UK-01 Stanmer Organics, Brighton 30/06-14/07 ENVI 18+ 08 VAP UK-02 Stanley Playscheme, Newcastle 25/07-09/08 KIDS 18+ 16 VAP UK-03 Rollercoasters Playscheme, Stourbridge 02/08-23/08 KIDS 18+ 10 VAP UK-04 Othona Community, Bradwell-On-Sea 1 19/07-02/08 RENO 18+ 12 VAP UK-05 Othona Community, Bradwell-On-Sea 2 02/08-16/08 RENO 18+ 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- VAP UK-01 STANMER ORGANICS, Brighton 30/06-14/07 ENVI 18+ 8 vols Stanmer Organics is a co-operative of individuals and groups based at an 8 hectare site at Stanmer Park. They are committed to using the land for organic food production which is sold locally with the aim of reducing road travel and air pollution and being sustainable. They are also committed to environmental art, finding new crops and food production techniques which are less damaging to the environment and educating local people and schools about sustainability through school visits and open days. There will be an open day at the end of the project and Volunteer Action for Peace and Concordia volunteers are invited to come to Stanmer Organics and help prepare the site for the open day. WORK: The work is likely to involve preparing the allotments, weeding and planting herbs and vegetables, working in the orchard, possible hay making and tidying the art and relaxation areas ready for the public. ACCOMMODATION: This is yet to be confirmed but is likely to involve camping near the work site. Tents will be provided. WARM SLEEPING BAGS AND ROLL MATS ARE ESSENTIAL. LOCATION: Stanmer Park is located on the edge of the South Downs in East Sussex. The site is in a remote area around ½ hour walk from the nearest shop or train station. TERMINAL: London Airports and Falmer train station for arrivals and departures. Special requirements: Volunteers will be living outside for the duration of the project please be prepared to camp and work in both good and bad weather. The site is fairly remote so please bring ideas for games and activities to do in the evenings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VAP UK-02 STANLEY PLAYSCHEME, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 25/07- 09/08 KIDS 18+ 16 vols PROJECT and WORK: The Stanley Youth Centre where the playscheme takes place is a charitable non-profit non-governmental organisation with the purpose of providing recreational activities for young people aged 8 to 25 years. The playscheme is an independent community led scheme, run by a committee of volunteers. The playscheme is provided for children aged 5 to 12 years. The international workcamp was added both to support the playscheme and to demonstrate the internationalism of the centre. The international volunteers will work alongside local volunteers in addition to the playscheme committee volunteers. The Stanley Youth Centre Summer Playscheme has been running for 30 years. The staff and volunteers at Stanley Youth Centre understand what it is like to have international volunteers. This is a warm and welcoming community. The work with the children is the most important aspect of this workcamp. Volunteers need to come well prepared to share their own childhood experience through games, music and activities reflecting their childhood culture. They need to be highly motivated for the work and able to use initiative in a challenging working environment. However, there will be a lot of support from the playscheme organisers and the local volunteers. ACCOMMODATION: The living conditions at the youth centre will be basic and crowded. There are inflatable mattresses to sleep on but no special sleeping area; there are showers, clothes washing facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, a communal area which can be used by the group in the evenings, a washing machine and shops nearby. The volunteers must live together as a community, sharing common tasks. All volunteers will need to take some responsibility for the group life. LOCATION: Stanley (Co.Durham) is situated at 15 kms SW of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NE of England). SPECIAL REMARK: A police check translated to English and a motivation letter are needed for working with children. Please send it in advance together with the VEF. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VAP UK-03 ROLLERCOASTERS PLAYSCHEME, Stourbridge 02/08-23/08 KIDS/DISA 18+ 10 vols (6f/4m) PROJECT: This is a playscheme is run by Rollercoasters, a charity which was established to provide support for families with children aged four to eighteen years, who have learning and physical disabilities. Its aim is to provide high quality holiday playschemes, and to create leisure and social opportunities for children with various disabilities. Some children also have medical conditions e.g. epilepsy, asthma and orthopaedic conditions. Some have sensory impairment and all the children need a high level of individual care and support. A small number of children have degenerative or life threatening conditions. All of them are wheelchair users. WORK: You should have a positive view of children with a disability, be able to recognise their individuality and to participate as friends. Any experience you have already gained in working with children or adults with disabilities will be useful. Experience or ideas for play and creative activities, demonstrating and involving children in the activity are important. The children will need a high level of physical assistance including feeding, washing and changing. Good communication skills, persistence, patience to listen, interpret and respond to a child with limited speech, hearing and movement is very important. At first you may find the experience emotionally, creatively and physically demanding. You will be given comprehensive training at the start of the project in caring for the children and will receive support from the staff. You will accompany the children on trips.- to a swimming pool, to a farm, ice skating, the cinema, a theme park, a team railway. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, hydrotherapy, a plastic ball-pool, music workshop, sensory rooms and other workshops. Everyone is expected to take a full part in the practical daily work of cooking and cleaning as well as in all the decision making for the group. ACCOMMODATION and LOCATION: The accommodation will be at will be at the 300 year old Quaker (Friends) Meeting House in Stourbridge town, 25 kms west of Birmingham (Central England). SPECIAL REMARK: A police check translated to English and a motivation letter are needed for working with children. Please send it in advance together with the VEF. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAPUK-04 OTHONA COMMUNITY, BRADWELL-ON-SEA 1 19/07-02/08 RENO 18+ 12 vols PROJECT: The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea was founded in 1946. It is a residential centre for people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds to seek a common understanding in the cause of peace. Othona has welcomed YAP volunteers since the early 1970's. Othona is a multi-faith non-dogmatic Christian Community founded next to one of the oldest churches in the UK (654AD). It fully involves non-Christians. It is an experimental community where work, play, drama, art and study are combined. Volunteers will be fully integrated in the life of the community. WORK: The work will mainly consist of two areas: redecoration of exterior of the core block accommodation and outside sleeping areas together with participation in the cooking and domestic duties of the community. All volunteers will be expected to take part in both types of work. ACCOMMODATION: In newly purchased tents close to the community centre. FOOD: Simple, vegetarian diets are also catered for. LOCATION: The Othona Community is situated on the east coast of Essex, next to a nature reserve. It is 5 Km from the nearest village. LEISURE: During the volunteer’s time there, there will be a study course on Exploring Chaplaincy in Challenging Situations as well as a drama week around the theme of travel and a family week with an opportunity to learn circus skills. Outside their work duties volunteers are free to join any of these activities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAPUK-05 OTHONA COMMUNITY, BRADWELL-ON-SEA 2 02/08-16/08 RENO 18+ 12 vols PROJECT: The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea was founded in 1946. It is a residential centre for people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds to seek a common understanding in the cause of peace. Othona has welcomed YAP volunteers since the early 1970's. Othona is a multi-faith non-dogmatic Christian Community founded next to one of the oldest churches in the UK (654AD). It fully involves non-Christians. It is an experimental community where work, play, drama, art and study are combined. Volunteers will be fully integrated in the life of the community. WORK: The work will mainly consist of two areas: redecoration of exterior of the core block accommodation and outside sleeping areas together with participation in the cooking and domestic duties of the community. All volunteers will be expected to take part in both types of work. ACCOMMODATION: In newly purchased tents close to the community centre. FOOD: Simple, vegetarian diets are also catered for. LOCATION: The Othona Community is situated on the east coast of Essex, next to a nature reserve. It is 5 Km from the nearest village. LEISURE: During the volunteer’s time there, there will be a study course on Exploring Chaplaincy in Challenging Situations as well as a drama week around the theme of travel and a family week with an opportunity to learn circus skills. Outside their work duties volunteers are free to join any of these activities.