RISTOLA COMMUNITY (FIN-38)

Type: Health: Disability - Country: Finland

Brief description and main aims

Ristola Community (Ristola-yhteisö in Finnish) is a Waldorf pedagogical training school for young adults with special needs. The functions of the Ristola Community are based on curative education and social therapy inspired by Rudolf Steiner. The basis is an anthroposophical perception of a human being. The aim is to support the students to learn basic life skills and to become independent young adults.

https://ristola-yhteiso.fi

Cultural Exposure

Ristola Community is situated in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, in the Southern Finland. Ristola is located in an area called Metsälä, about 6 km away from the center of Helsinki, nearby the nature and outdoor recreation area Central Park. The public transport connections include train and bus, and during the summer season public bicycles, too. A public transport ticket will be offered for the volunteer.

Main Activities

In Ristola Community, there are 36 student places available for young people with different special needs from age 18 on. The education lasts for five years. The students learn traditional handicrafts (textile, wood work, ceramics, and metal) and theoretical and artistic subjects. Ristola has an own kitchen in which the daily food is prepared.

Volunteer tasks

Through welcoming international volunteers to Ristola, we wish to offer the students with special needs opportunities to experience and learn from different cultures and languages. As a volunteer, you will help the teachers and staff in their work of supporting the students to learn basic life skills and to become independent young adults, as well as teaching traditional handicrafts and theoretical and artistic subjects. The tasks may include kitchen work at Ristola’s own kitchen, too.

Volunteer requirements / Skills

We are looking for an open-minded and active volunteer who is motivated to work with young people with special needs. Some skills and interest in handicrafts will be helpful and musical skills would be a great addiction.

Hosting Situation (Board and Lodging)

The volunteer will live in a school guest room with a shared bathroom. The volunteer will have access to sauna and the laundry room of Ristola Community. The meals are provided by Ristola Community at the school restaurant (lunch) and cooking independently (other meals).

More Information

1–2 volunteers, ICYE/IJFD long term. The buildings of Ristola, including the school guest room, are wheelchair accessible. Ristola, unfortunately, has very limited possibilities to support for volunteers with disabilities as their resources go towards supporting the young adults with special needs who study at Ristola.