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Social Inclusion & Community Volunteering in Valencia
Work alongside Valencia's community organisations supporting older people, those experiencing homelessness and newly arrived migrants — meaningful social-impact volunteering on Spain's Mediterranean coast, from two weeks upwards.
- Personalised placement with an established Valencian charity supporting older people, those experiencing homelessness, or newly arrived migrants and refugees
- Option to pair your volunteering with accredited Spanish lessons at an Instituto Cervantes–recognised school in the centre of Valencia
- Hands-on social-work experience gained alongside local professionals — valuable for a CV, university application or a future career in the sector
- Flexible from 2 weeks to 12 months, with new volunteers able to start almost any Monday, year-round
- Live with a hand-picked Spanish host family or in a shared international volunteer apartment, with airport pickup, orientation and 24/7 support from our in-country team
- A superb base to explore — Valencia’s beaches, the City of Arts and Sciences, and weekend escapes to Madrid, Barcelona and Seville
Valencia is one of Spain’s warmest and most liveable cities — but behind the beaches and the buzzing Old Town, local organisations work every day to support the people who need a helping hand. The Social Inclusion & Community programme connects international volunteers with these grassroots charities, so you can spend your time abroad making a genuine, human difference.
Working through our trusted local partner in Valencia, you’ll be matched with a non-profit whose work fits your interests and your level of Spanish. Some volunteers spend their days with older people who live alone; others help run a soup kitchen, sort clothing donations, or act as a friendly “buddy” to a refugee family finding their feet in a new country. Whatever the placement, the goal is the same: to reduce isolation and help vulnerable members of the community feel seen and supported.
This is a programme built around flexibility. Placements run from two weeks to a full year, and because the projects are ongoing you can start on almost any Monday of the year. It suits gap-year travellers, students of social work, psychology or sociology, career-breakers, and anyone who wants their trip to Spain to mean more than sightseeing. No previous experience is required — just initiative, cultural sensitivity and a commitment of around 20 hours a week.
Our partner in Valencia is also an Instituto Cervantes–accredited language centre, so you can add Spanish classes to your programme and pick up the language while you volunteer. Even a few weeks of lessons will transform your day-to-day experience with the people you support.
A typical day
Your role
Your exact tasks depend on the partner organisation you’re placed with, but volunteers typically help with:
- Elderly companionship & care — organising social games and activities, accompanying residents on walks, sharing conversation, or giving basic help with phones and tablets so older people can stay connected to their families.
- Homelessness outreach — supporting a soup kitchen or food bank, preparing and distributing meals, and helping sort and hand out clothing and essentials.
- Migrant & refugee support — assisting with day-to-day administrative tasks and offering “buddy” support that helps newcomers practise Spanish, understand local services and settle into the community.
Across every placement you’re there to support the local staff and the people they serve — showing up reliably, bringing a positive attitude, and respecting the customs and privacy of the community you’re working with.
A typical week
Volunteers commit around 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Most social-care and NGO placements run a morning shift (roughly 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), which follows Valencia’s relaxed Mediterranean rhythm and leaves your afternoons and evenings free. The day usually breaks for lunch — the main meal in Spain — and if you’re taking Spanish classes they can normally be timetabled around your placement.
Life on the programme
Accommodation & meals
Airport Pickup
Pick up and transfer service (airport, train station or bus station of Valencia) is provided to the volunteers.
Orientation
The local team will provide a program orientation, followed by a walking tour of Valencia’s city centre, including the main landmarks and historic squares of the Old Town.
Accommodation
Participants are provided accommodation with a Spanish host family. Our team members in Valencia have have years of experience working with a wide range of host families, all of whom have extensive experience hosting international students. They understand the cultural challenges, language barriers, and other difficulties that international participants may face when living in a new country and culture.
Homestay accommodation may include:
• A single room and shared living room.
• A shared room (*with another participant) and shared common areas.
*You must request this if you are coming with friends on the same or similar dates.
To find the right host family, we ask students to complete a questionnaire before we begin the search. This allows us to answer questions about your diet, family preferences, pets, hobbies, interests, and more. This helps us get to know you, consider your requirements, and place you with a family we believe will provide you with an optimal and
unforgettable Spanish experience!
Families are chosen for their hospitality and their experience of hosting international students, and they’re briefed on your dietary needs and interests before you arrive. Living with a host family means you speak Spanish from morning to night and always have someone local to turn to — the easiest way to settle in and beat any homesickness.
Meals
With a host family you will be provided with all home cooked meals everyday. Food allergies and dietary preferences can be taken into account.
A few local notes: in Spain clothes are usually air-dried rather than tumble-dried, and heating and air conditioning are used sparingly — fans are provided and the Mediterranean breeze does most of the work.
During your Free time
Valencia is compact enough to feel like home within days, yet packed with things to do. Spend your free hours on the beach, in the Turia Gardens, or exploring the tapas bars and markets of the Old Town, and use your weekends to discover the rest of Spain by high-speed train. Our local team also organises optional get-togethers so you can make friends with other international volunteers.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Program fee | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,999 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,449 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,949 | |
| 5 weeks | $3,449 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,899 | |
| 7 weeks | $4,399 | |
| 8 weeks | $4,899 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- Placement with a vetted local partner organisation, matched to your interests and Spanish level
- Accommodation for the duration of your programme (host family)
- All meals at the host family
- Airport pickup and transfer to your accommodation on arrival
- A city orientation and a full pre-departure information pack
- Walking tour through the centre of Valencia
- A dedicated local coordinator and 24/7 in-country support throughout your stay
- A certificate of completion for your CV or studies
Not included
- International flights to and from Valencia
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — we can help you arrange it)
- Visa costs, where a visa is required for your nationality
- Spanish language classes (available as an optional add-on)
- Local transport, personal spending and weekend travel
Frequently asked questions
Who can join this programme?
The programme is open to volunteers aged 18 and over from any background. It’s especially popular with students of social work, psychology and sociology, gap-year travellers and career-breakers. You don’t need previous experience — just reliability, an open mind and respect for the community you’ll be supporting. A clear criminal background check is required.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No — many placements are possible with little or no Spanish, and our team will match you accordingly. That said, even basic Spanish makes a big difference with the people you support, which is why we offer accredited classes you can add to your programme.
How long can I stay, and when can I start?
Placements run from 2 weeks up to 12 months. Because the projects are ongoing, you can start on almost any Monday of the year (the shared-apartment option requires a minimum stay of 4 weeks).
How many hours will I volunteer?
Around 20 hours a week, usually across Monday-to-Friday mornings, leaving your afternoons, evenings and weekends free.
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