Special Needs

International Napoli Network (INN) is a cooperative that partners with local public schools and NGOs to provides resources that support health and welfare, environmental conservation, education. Volunteers and interns are placed with partner NGOs and we support you and our partners during your placement. INN is supporting a Special Needs center for people with mental diseases. 

The Volunteer's Role

Italy is currently in the process of reforming the legislative provisions addressing issues that affect people with disabilities. Nevertheless, structural shortcomings still exist especially for what concerns access to basic services that may enhance their capacity to self mobility and independent living, economic self-sufficiency as well as health outcomes.  The burden of this ineffective integration inevitably falls on the families of the individuals with disabilities. A stronger commitment is needed for both individuals affected by disabilities and families that support them.

A disability is not necessarily an inescapable condition resulting from pre-existing health issues. It is also a consequence of the negative interaction with an inhospitable and hostile environment. Any innovative initiative requires measures designed to break down the barriers that hinder the inclusion on a daily basis of people affected by disabilities within our society.

Special Needs organisations intend to focus not only on people with disabilities, but also on those who interact daily with them, such as teachers and parents, friends and colleagues. The aim is to create a best practice that can be duplicated overtime in order to ease the issues associated with these conditions. This approach depicts a multifaceted, non-partial and educational development method made readily available to those who have a disability and also to those who want to interact effectively with them.

Possible Tasks

Depending on the centre where volunteers will be hosted the various activities and tasks may include:

• Support to services provided to the centre's guests such as psychotherapy, neuro-psychomotor therapy, educational training
  
• Support, partecipation or teaching in artistic or creative workshops (e.g. theatre, music and handcrafting), activities supporting the development of an enhanced personal autonomy and/or recreational activities

• Desk support in communication, marketing and fundraising with activities such as web editing, social media management, campaigning, content production and grant making activities

The centre works with:

• Primary, Middle and High School students
• Local Health Authorities
• Rehabilitation Centres
  
• Neuro-psychiatrists, psychotherapists, neuro-psychomotor therapists, speech therapists and psychologists; new professionals with socio-cultural mediation experience
  
• Professionals and experts in the areas of education, labour, sports, music therapy and those who are specialised in applying therapeutic and integration processes applied to working and social environments
  

After the initial orientation, volunteers have a morning or afternoon shift on placement and will work for approximately 4 to 6 hours per day. 

Volunteers have the weekends off to explore Naples and Italy. Italy is universally recognised for its history, art, culture, cuisine and natural beauty, so there is absolutely no shortage of things to see and do while in Naples or further afield in Italy! Naples has many UNESCO World Heritage sites and volunteers can fill their free time visiting the many historical sites and attractions, tasting the amazing cuisine, sipping espresso in the many café and bars or simply exploring parts of Naples by wandering through the beautiful alleys. Rome, home to the Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel, is just an hour away from Naples by train, and the ancient ruins of Pompeii or the gorgeous island of Capri are also just 45 minutes away. Nature lovers can hike the nearby Mt. Vesuvius and visit the beautiful Almalfi Coast to complete the “Walk of the Gods”. Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Italy including; Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Milan, Pisa and so much more! Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Naples, with the advice and guidance of our local staff.