“This was not a bad experience, however I would like to share some my experience to give an honest idea of what it could be like. I volunteered in Porto, Portugal as a Youth Worker. The first thing to note is although touted as youth work, the centre worked with kids. I was working with children as young as 7 most days and up to 17. This is not the definition of youth work; the term youth is what differentiates that age group from children. My expertise is not with children. The website says Portuguese is not needed however the children did not speak any English and the staff spoke very limited English. This left me unable to communicate easily. I have a good attitude and can engage with young people without language for a time, however day in and day out unable to move beyond basic gestures and phrases with both staff and young people was a challenge and it left me feeling invisible and useless as a volunteer. I could not engage with quality that I am used to because of this barrier. I had volunteered previously with a different organisation teaching English prior to this program and on the day I started at the other org, 30 other volunteers started at the same time. This meant I developed bonds and friendships with the other volunteers who stayed in the hostel and who participated in the program. I made lifelong friends. With Volunteering Solutions, I was the only one volunteering for the 4 weeks, so had no one to support me or share the experience with, further isolating me and keeping me lonely. Volunteering Solutions are not the organisation you deal with once you’re in Porto, rather it’s an organisation called Impact Trip who then liaise with local service providers. The community centre I was based at had nothing to do with either Impact Trip nor Volunteering Solutions other than a relationship to recruit volunteers and offer that support to me as the volunteer. Provided you know all this and enjoy supervising children and youth and you’re ok working alone then you will enjoy this experience. The staff and children were all lovely and low risk. The centre fed me constantly and looked after me. It felt like I was an extra child tagging along for the fun parts of the day such as going to the beach, going to local points of interest, gardening, playing games and cooking to name a few.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“I enjoyed the program”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I can’t say how much I loved my time volunteering in Porto with Centro São Nicolau. The description of the program was what made me want to go. I wanted some experience working with community organizations and that is exactly what I got, only better! I really enjoyed the after-school program at the Centro, where I was able to connect with the students and help them with their English homework. The kids were so sweet and curious, and were very keen on helping me with my Portuguese:) The people at the Centro graciously adapted the program to my skills and certifications, which allowed me to meet the women’s group where I offered to teach a yoga class to the ladies. They were so fun and welcoming! Additionally, I got recruited to help make chocolate as part of a Christmas project with members of a youth group. The smell was heavenly!! My background in allied health aligned so well with the program, and because of my interest and experience, it was set up for me to attend a photography exposition on poverty in the community and how the community addresses it. It was a very thought-provoking and valuable experience. The Centro is an amazing place that assists many different kinds of people in the community: seniors, youth, women and the homeless, just to name a few. They do an incredible job at empowering the community and they work together with the community to achieve great things with lots of heart and kindness. The people working at the Centro and the students I got the privilege to meet were incredible and allowed me to gain opportunities, friendships and knowledge that I’d never get on my own. It was amazing!”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“I can’t say how much I loved my time volunteering in Porto with Centro São Nicolau. The description of the program was what made me want to go. I wanted some experience working with community organizations and that is exactly what I got, only better! I really enjoyed the after-school program at the Centro, where I was able to connect with the students and help them with their English homework. The kids were so sweet and curious, and were very keen on helping me with my Portuguese:) The people at the Centro graciously adapted the program to my skills and certifications, which allowed me to meet the women’s group where I offered to teach a yoga class to the ladies. They were so fun and welcoming! Additionally, I got recruited to help make chocolate as part of a Christmas project with members of a youth group. The smell was heavenly!! My background in allied health aligned so well with the program, and because of my interest and experience, it was set up for me to attend a photography exposition on poverty in the community and how the community addresses it. It was a very thought-provoking and valuable experience. The Centro is an amazing place that assists many different kinds of people in the community: seniors, youth, women and the homeless, just to name a few. They do an incredible job at empowering the community and they work together with the community to achieve great things with lots of heart and kindness. The people working at the Centro and the students I got the privilege to meet were incredible and allowed me to gain opportunities, friendships and knowledge that I’d never get on my own. It was amazing!”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Hello Tracey, We are delighted to know that you had a fabulous experience on the Youth Support Program in Porto, Portugal. Thanks for sharing the wonderful review of the program. Thanks Team Volunteering Solutions

Posted 3 years ago

“My experience in Portugal joining the Marine Conservation program has been incredible. In addition to learning about the importance of the marine ecosystems, I have met wonderful people from all over the world. I would like to praise the work of Ana Matos, the program coordinator of Impactrip, and the two diving instructors I had, Nuno Pereira and Sydney. Their enthusiasm and experience helped me to achieve my goals within the volunteering program and fully enjoy my time in Portugal.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“My experience in Portugal joining the Marine Conservation program has been incredible. In addition to learning about the importance of the marine ecosystems, I have met wonderful people from all over the world. I would like to praise the work of Ana Matos, the program coordinator of Impactrip, and the two diving instructors I had, Nuno Pereira and Sydney. Their enthusiasm and experience helped me to achieve my goals within the volunteering program and fully enjoy my time in Portugal.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Hi Andrea, Thanks for sharing your wonderful review of your experience in Portugal. Delighted to know that you had an amazing time in the Marine Conservation Program in Portugal and were able to achieve the program goals. We look forward to having you in our other programs soon too 😃 Thanks Team Volunteering Solutions

Posted 3 years ago

“VolSol stayed the whole time in contact with me and they take things very serious. They really care about how the trip is going and are comunicating with the other organisations.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“VolSol stayed the whole time in contact with me and they take things very serious. They really care about how the trip is going and are comunicating with the other organisations.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Hi Vivienne, Thanks for leaving us a review for the Portugal Marine Conservation Program. Thanks for your kind words. Participant feedback and experience on the program is of utmost importance to us. Due to this reason we ensure that we keep checking in with the participants on the program ensuring all is going on well. Look forward to having you in more such programs soon. Thanks Team Volunteering Solutions

Posted 5 years ago

Volunteer in Portugal Reviews