The Chios Public Nursing Home is one of the most important social welfare institutions on the island, providing shelter, care, and companionship to elderly people who are unable to live independently or rely on their families for support. Despite the challenges it faces, mainly due to limited state funding, the institution continues to operate thanks to the dedication of its staff and the support of the local community.
The operation of the Nursing Home is based in part on financial and material donations from residents of the island, but also from concerned individuals outside Chios. Approximately 100 residents are housed at the facility, most of whom come from low socioeconomic backgrounds and face serious health problems, such as dementia or mobility issues. Caring for them on a daily basis is a challenge, but the support of volunteers greatly alleviates the burden on staff and improves the quality of life of the elderly.
Volunteers participating in the program mainly take on tasks in the kitchen and dining area. Under the guidance of the cook and the director of the institution, they help prepare meals, serve them, and perform the necessary cleaning tasks after each meal. However, beyond these practical activities, the human contact they offer to the residents is of particular importance. The presence of young people with a willingness to help and a smile gives the elderly strength, courage, and a sense that they are not alone.
The relationship that develops between the staff and the residents is deep and meaningful. There are many cases where the elderly consider the staff to be their "family," especially when visits from relatives are rare or non-existent. In this atmosphere of love and solidarity, the director of the nursing home plays a key role, as he is essentially the heart and soul of the institution. With unremitting effort, personal care, and a sense of responsibility, he strives to provide residents with decent living conditions, despite limited resources and difficulties.
The Nursing Home is located in the Kampos area of Chios, on a traditional estate full of mandarin trees, donated by benefactors. The space exudes calm and serenity, offering a welcoming and humane environment.
The work of the Chios Public Nursing Home is an example of social solidarity and generosity. It is an institution based on love, self-sacrifice, and respect for the elderly. The contribution of volunteers is not merely auxiliary; it is vital, as it enriches the daily lives of residents with joy, communication, and humanity.
Your tasks may include food preparation, cooking, cleaning and distributing. As you will be volunteering alongside local placement staff, it is recommended to have prior food preparation or hospitality experience to participate on this project.
Volunteers need to be able and have the willingness to:
- Handle a knife in order to help with the meal preparations (cleaning onions, potatoes, meat)
- Wash dishes
- Serve meals
- Clean the kitchen and dinning area
Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift and will work for approximately 3 to 6 hours per day.
A typical morning working schedule is as follows:
- 8.00 AM Arrival at the placement, join local staff and begin work on the project.
Please note that start times and daily workload depends on the placement and public transportation. - 1.30 PM Work at the placement usually ends and the volunteer will be free to get lunch and plan for the following day’s activities or use the free time as he/she wishes. This could include sightseeing, entertainment or some shopping.
Our Organization holds accreditations certifying its ability to realize high quality volunteering projects. As such we must follow the guidelines for the proper functioning of the program,.
Since the volunteers are role models and their coexistence with the local community is essential for a healthy environment of cooperation and enjoying the experience, volunteers must be aware of and adhere to the following rules.
- Respect the work schedule
- Do not come to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs or do so during work hours
- Respect the silent hours of the accommodation
- Respect the staff and the other volunteers
- Sexual harassment is totally prohibited
- Use or possession of any kind of drugs is considered illegal and considered as a criminal action in Greece.
- Wear conservative clothing that covers the shoulders and knees while at your volunteer placement. Clothing while at your placement should not be overly tight or show excessive skin.
- If any, cover sufficiently all tattoos while at your placement with clothing.
- It is forbidden to bear any attire or symbol corresponding to religion, drugs, sexuality, terrorism and politics or to broach or promote in any way the aforementioned subjects, during your placement.
