ESC-project
ESC 2025: Call for a Volunteer - Creative Education Assistant at Dharts, Youth Centre Destelheide Hanenbos
Timeframe: January to December, 2025
Since January 2018, Destelheide and Hanenbos have merged into one center, offering full-board accommodations for groups staying for one or more days. Each center maintains its unique identity.
Youth Centre Destelheide was founded in 1971, initially as a service for animation and expression. It primarily serves young people aged 18 to 25, hosting schools, youth groups, art organizations, artists, and more. Destelheide features 35 multifunctional, well-equipped workrooms for music, photography, dance, and other training areas. Guests can stay in rooms accommodating 2, 4, or 6 people or use the center daily for conferences or team-building activities without overnight stays.
Youth Centre Hanenbos has been integrated into Destelheide’s operations since January 2018. Hanenbos focuses on younger groups, offering nature-based adventure activities. Groups can also stay here for one or more days with full board.
Dharts is the arts education service of Destelheide and Hanenbos with a variety of missions:
· Organizing Exhibitions: Dharts arranges several exhibitions yearly at Destelheide and Hanenbos, developing educational packages for interactive visitor experiences;
· Hosting Artists: Dharts coordinates the “Artists in Residence” program, providing professionally equipped rooms for artists to work on their craft and usually, prepare for performances. Artists engage with groups through try-outs, performance shows or open rehearsals;
· Creative Academy: Dharts organizes a biannual creative academy, offering a week of creative exploration under an experienced coach’s guidance;
· Human Rights Projects: Dharts develops projects focused on human rights at national and international levels.
ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER IN THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DHARTS
The Dharts education team is small but dynamic, developing and promoting its activities through various channels. This role offers numerous opportunities to gain new skills, hands-on experience and significant responsibilities in activities, communication and organization.
Your tasks will include:
· Developing social media marketing strategies. Creating content by documenting activities and events on the domains for different medias. Engaging in production (editing videos, pictures, conducting interviews, films, etc.). Creating layouts for organizations’ web and print;
· Developing educational activities, like workshops, educational packages, guided/interactive tours for diverse groups on human rights, arts and environment (using nature or art as tools);
· Conducting production work for various projects (preparing materials, managing inscriptions, etc.);
· Welcoming and acting as an informal contact person for artists in residence and for groups staying at Destelheide or Hanenbos (engaging with them in the bar, informing them about the library or exhibitions);
· Facilitating reflections for artists in residence after their try-outs; Assisting during activities, workshops, and events;
· Providing new ideas and creative input.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE VOLUNTEERS
· Acquire and enhance skills in education, art, human rights, communication, and content creation;
· Gain insight into the various activities and partnerships of youth-oriented projects funded by the Council of Europe, Erasmus+, and the Flanders government in Belgium;
· Increase self-awareness and self-confidence by deepening your expertise in specific fields;
· Develop teamwork skills while simultaneously becoming more independent, gaining practical experience in an international youth center;
· Expand your network across Europe and foster respect for intercultural diversity;
· Learn Dutch.
PROFILE OF THE VOLUNTEER
We are looking for two young individuals (18-30 years old) who:
· Have an interest in art, human rights and environmental issues;
· Are skilled in photography or creating short promotional videos and proficient in editing programs (preferably Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator);
· Can manage, plan and develop social media strategies;
· Are passionate about creative processes and activities;
· Likes working with youth groups and kids;
· Can leverage their experience working with children or young people in activity development;
· Have strong communication skills and outgoing and social personality;
· Like to take initiative and has a sense of responsibility;
· Can work independently and as part of a team;
· Have a flexible attitude, including willingness to work on weekends or evenings when necessary (usually, this is a 9-to-5 job, but sometimes, there are exceptions. In these cases, we will compensate your working hours with additional free time);
· Are prepared to learn Dutch;
· Are eager to be involved in various projects and teams at our youth centers.
Are you interested in this opportunity? Do you want to volunteer in an inspiring environment, surrounded by children, young people, and artists having an unforgettable time? Apply before 7th of October. You will receive a detailed questionnaire from us, and selected candidates will be invited for an online interview at the end of October. Candidates will be chosen before November.
For more information and application, contact: liesbet.vanlil@destelheide-hanenbos.be