PARTNER: The Centre “Arthur Regniers” hosts people suffering from cerebral palsy or from other motor disabilities. The aims of this Medical Teaching Institute is to provide educational support, health care, and well-being to the teenagers and adults of the centre and also lend support to their families. The centre provides a open-space, various activities, and technical support in order to promote the social, professional and cultural autonomy of the residents.
WORK : Volunteers will be asked to give support to the residents of the centre for some basic needs (such as helping with the meals,...) and to participate in the organization of artistic and cultural activities, discussion groups, various workshops and excursions together with the centre's staff. These activities will take place on the site of Bienne but also on another site (Thuin). Volunteers will have the possibility to work with the teenagers and/or with the adults of the centre. The schedules will be flexible and will be adapted during the following weeks according to the centre's needs and the volunteers' proposals. They will also have the opportunity to suggest their own activities (such as games, music, recipes,... related to their native country).
ACCOMMODATION: In a common room (dorm) that will be fitted out within the centre.
FOOD : Meals will be taken in the centre's refectory and will be prepared by the cooks of the centre. Volunteers will help the residents during meals. Picnics can be prepared and taken away during excursions or activities during weekends.
LOCATION: Bienne-lez-Happart is a very small town near Binche and Charleroi. The centre itself is very isolated in the countryside but bicycles, a car, and train tickets will be available*. These means of transportation can be used in the evenings or during the weekends to discover the region and visit other places in Belgium. *Please bring your bicycle helmet and your driver’s license, if possible.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION: This workcamp is destined for volunteers who have a strong motivation for the topic. The Centre is very isolated, and the work can be emotionally challenging.
A basic knowledge of French is useful, as activities will be conducted with residents who do not speak a word of English. Nevertheless, motivation remains the most important criteria in order to participate in this workcamp. Volunteers are invited to prepare a game, bring a presentation, music or some traditional meals related to their country of origin.
LANGUAGES : The language of the workcamp is English. Basics of French are useful but not necessary.
TERMINAL : Brussels International Airport (Zaventem) or Brussels South Airport (Charleroi), meeting point at Binche train station on 08/08. Train timetables on www.b-rail.be/main/F/
SUMMARY OF THE WORKCAMP: (This description can be used for promotion of the project by the sending partners on their social media channels) : The Centre “Arthur Regniers” hosts people suffering from cerebral palsy or from other motor disabilities aiming to provide educational support, health care, and well-being to the residents of the centre. Volunteers will give support to the residents for some basic needs (such as helping with the meals,...) and join the organization of artistic and cultural activities, discussion groups, various workshops and excursions together with the centre's staff.