Hosting
What does it look like to volunteer for YFU Flanders
Mechelen, nestled in the heart of Flanders, is a quaint city where you will both live and work. However, your work will often entail traveling around the country. Fortunately, the public transportation system is well-organized, providing easy access to the capital city Brussels, the seaside, and the picturesque Ardennes mountains with just a short train ride.
Characterized by its rich multiculturalism and vibrant student atmosphere, Mechelen offers something for everyone. Surrounded by nature parks in nearly every direction, the city provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy leisurely hikes in Het Mechels Broek, bouldering at Het KlimKaffee, or savoring a local beer at De Vismarkt or our city brewery Het Anker, Mechelen truly caters to diverse interests and tastes.
your work
what, when and where?
During your volunteering project, you will be expected to work five days a week, typically from Monday to Friday. However, there may be occasions when you'll need to organize events during weekends or evenings. It's essential to collaborate closely with your project coordinator to manage your workload effectively. While you won't be required to track your working hours, completing your assigned tasks in a timely manner is paramount.
We value granting you a significant degree of autonomy within the project framework, but with this freedom comes responsibility. It's crucial for you to be accountable and considerate of your commitments. Bi-weekly follow-up sessions with your project coordinator will serve as a guiding platform. These meetings will involve discussing recent developments, planning future events, addressing challenges, and setting goals to ensure alignment between your expectations, project reality, and schedule.
During our weekly team meetings, you have the opportunity to ask questions to the team and explore potential collaborations with colleagues on various projects. These sessions aim to keep everyone informed, as we operate as a small team, but also serve as occasions to inspire creativity and foster collaboration.
Monday to Wednesday, all colleagues convene at our office, while Thursdays and Fridays offer the flexibility to work from home, with the office remaining open. This structure allows you to plan tasks accordingly. Typically, workdays commence at 9 AM and conclude at 5 PM.
Additionally, our office observes a closure during the week between Christmas and New Year, as well as on all official public holidays. During these periods, participants in our ESC projects are not expected to work.