"Whenever you can do something, just do it. Do not wait until all circumstances are favourable. They rarely are’

There are 250 of us volunteering in Arrels. Most of us work in direct attention to the homeless users, and some others in management and communication tasks.  You will find below a brief description of each of the programmes we are involved in and if you are interested you could fill in this form. 

Street Volunteers
We walk through the streets of Barcelona in pairs trying to find people who sleep on the streets. After a first contact, our task consists of supporting them and establishing a relationship of trust, to assure them that we will be there for them when they need us.

Volunteers in the Open Center
Every afternoon, Monday to Saturday,  we open the Centre Obert. Alongside two social educators and a coordinator, we organise the afternoon: we talk with those who come to the centre, play dominoes and card games, attend at the medicine cabinet, wardrobes and the cloakroom and help with the clothing and showers. More information about the Open Center

Hospital Volunteers
Our task is to attend people who are hospitalised or convalescent in medical centres. This entails visiting them periodically and making sure they have all they need. Our tasks include  dealing with the medical staff and arranging the hospital discharge. More information about the Hospital Programme. 

Residence Volunteers
Some of Arrels’ users live in retirement homes for older people. Most of them feel lonely and the only personal link they retain is that they have with Arrels. That is why the volunteers’ visits are so important. We talk, go for a stroll, we show interest for their state and they manifest their needs. 

Volunteers in "La Troballa"
Alongside two members of the staff, volunteers organise every morning theworkshop’s activities. This workshop is a space where making crafts allows the development of individual creativity. Teamwork and a friendly atmosphere constitute the basis for its smooth operation. We also organise days out and visits to cultural events. 

 
Volunteers in Flats
Arrels has 16 supervised aparments where 36 people live permanently. Volunteers help them cope with their life in a new home: cleaning, weekly shopping, relations between housemates, etc. Our tasks are varied: from having a coffee with them, to helping them move their belongings, or redecorating the flat. 

Volunteers in Pere Barnés Home
The Llar is a residential facility with 30 places available for homeless people. It is open all year long. This requires coordinating many people to make sure that the Llar runs smoothly 24 hours a day. Volunteers share meals and leisure moments with the residents and also organise some days out over the weekend. 

Communication Volunteers
Dealing with school visits, to review and file press materials, sort out the library, translate documents, write life stories, etc. These are only some of the tasks of the volunteers working in the department of communication. Although our activity is mainly developed on-site, we can also work on-line.  

Maintenance Volunteers
Currently, Arrels has a number of facilities including the Centre Obert, the Llar Pere Barnés  and 16 supervised apartments. These entail a great deal of maintenance work: electricity, purchasing and repairing furniture, redecorating apartments, plumbing, etc and volunteers can give a quick and effective solution.