Join our Unhoused Support program to assist individuals in living with dignity by providing food, clothing, and essential services. Help partner organizations with daily operations and support ongoing efforts.
Inequalities and poverty are significant issues in Portugal, especially in urban centers. Access to basic social services, economic resources, housing, and employment is limited, specially for vulnerable individuals. You will be working with organizations dedicated to providing practical assistance and reinstating a sense of belonging and dignity for those experiencing houselessness and other social challenges such as addiction and unemployment.
What to Expect:
- Practical Assistance: Help provide food, clothing, and essential services to those in need.
- Community Engagement: Work with local organizations to support their daily operations and ongoing efforts to assist vulnerable populations.
- Holistic Support: Participate in educational and therapeutic activities, by sharing your skills and culture to create a positive impact.
Daily Tasks:
- Meal Preparation and Distribution: Prepare, cook, and distribute meals to individuals in need.
- Donation Sorting: Organize and distribute donated items such as clothing and essentials.
- Group Dynamics Participation: Engage in group activities that teach basic life skills, such as budgeting, job application, and cooking.
- Activity Creation: Develop and lead new activities, including arts and crafts workshops, sports, theater, cooking, IT, language, or dance classes.
- Cultural Sharing: Share cultural and traditional aspects of your home country, as well as your future goals and dreams, with the community.
Why Join?
- Make an Impact: Contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and supporting their journey towards stability.
- Gain Experience: Develop skills in social services, community engagement, and support work.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience Portuguese culture while making a meaningful difference in the community.
Ready to Support and Empower?
Included
- Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
- Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
- Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
- Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
- We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
- Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
- Ongoing support throughout your stay
- 24/7 emergency support, just in case
FAQ
What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18+
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
Do I have to pay money for volunteering?+
You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!
How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?+
The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!
What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?+
Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.
Can I cook in the accommodation?+
Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.
How much money should I bring to my program?+
Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!
How many people will be I be volunteering with?+
Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!
In case of need, how do I get health care?+
All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.
Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?+
Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.
Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!
Do I need to speak the local language?+
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.
How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?+
You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.