Social issues

• obvita – go for walks with the elderly and the blind

  location

  St. Gallen

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Residents are accompanied on walks in their local area. They form new acquaintances and find new things to talk about. You get to know elderly people and understand their thoughts and concerns, as well as developing your social skills.

• Red Cross Zug transport service

  location

  Baar

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Do you like to drive? Do you have your own car and some free time, and would you like to help us? For many elderly people or people who are recovering from a serious illness or accident, traveling to the doctor is difficult. This is where the Red Cross Zug transport service can help. Red Cross volunteers use their own car to take passengers from their home to a doctor's, hospital or therapy appointment and back home again.

• incluso – Mentoring for migrants looking for an apprenticeship Zurich

  location

  Zürich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  incluso is looking for volunteers with professional experience (mentors) to work with migrants (mentees). The aim of the project is to promote equal opportunities in the Swiss apprenticeship market for young people from migrant backgrounds – especially those who have recently immigrated to Switzerland. We organize tandems who work together over the course of a school year. There is an ever-increasing set of demands placed on school leavers as they transition to the job market. They need to be well connected, understand the complex Swiss education system and be confident in their own abilities. Young people from migrant backgrounds face greater hurdles in this process and often have fewer resources at their disposal.

• Learning German

  location

  Region Aargau

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  We require volunteers with good German to teach the language to migrants in one-on-one tandems 2 to 4 times per month. You can help them learn German in the traditional way with a grammar book, or combined with other activities like shopping, museum visits or cooking together. These tandems are an opportunity to target the migrants’ precise individual needs and for them to obtain specific language skills. You can meet in public or private spaces.

• Thanksgiver Language Sessions

  location

  Basel-City / Basel-Country

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Thanksgiver Language Sessions in German and English At ThanksGiver, we are committed to reduce the hunger gap and fight food waste. As such we aspire to create a more inclusive and sustainable environment for non-natives. Over the years, we've realized that while food banks are a crucial resource, there is an even greater need for language classes. Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but it is also one of the most important steps towards integration and building a new life in a foreign country. For non-native speakers, language barriers can be a significant obstacle to accessing education, employment, healthcare, and social services. By providing German and English language classes, ThanksGiver Schweiz helps to break down these barriers and empower individuals to fully participate in our community.

• Collaboration on Project App Extension

  location

  Basel-City / Basel-Country

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Babsy has been around since 2018, and since 2022 we have been operating an app in the greater Basel area that helps parents and caregivers find each other based solely on donations. We have built the safest contact platform currently available in Switzerland. Searching, booking, finding, chatting, and video calling are already possible, but our users' wish list is extensive, which is why we would like to tackle the next development steps together with you. Topics such as the mutual rating system, extensions to include day care providers, etc., are important to provide relief for parents and at the same time offer great job opportunities for sitters. The association is officially non-profit and is very committed to issues related to integration, equality, and social justice. The assistance can be very individually tailored, work can be done on-site and remotely, and you can use your strengths in a targeted manner.

• Caritas-Bergeinsatz. Help mountain farming families in need

  location

  The whole of Switzerland

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Volunteers help Swiss mountain farming families who are experiencing an emergency due to accident, illnesses, pregnancies, or some other hardship. Help with a range of occasional work such as hay making, farm work, animal care, household chores, childcare and the like, and experience the joy of the simple life in the mountains.

• Mentoring by fokusnetzwerk

  location

  Kanton Zürich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  As a mentor for fokusnetzwerk, you can use your knowledge and experience to help refugees gain new perspectives and enjoy a richer life in Swiss society. Together with a person from a refugee background, you can practice German over a coffee or during a walk, pursue a hobby or complete math homework together. Of course, there are other areas that you can choose, or you can suggest your own. At fokusnetzwerk you can work with a refugee for six months on an area that suits your strengths and interests.

• Mentoring for young people

  location

  Kanton Zug

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Would you like to join our project as a mentor for young people? We are currently in need of support and so would be very grateful to have you on board. MUNTERwegs is a mentoring project that assigns volunteers to young people from migrant and non-migrant backgrounds. The program thus contributes to cultural integration, promotes equal opportunities and enables participants to actively participate in social life. The project is mainly geared towards young people aged between 13 and 16 from migrant backgrounds and vulnerable Swiss families from the canton of Zug. As part of the MUNTERwegs program for young people, mentors help their mentees to choose a career. Volunteers receive support in regular group events and coaching sessions.

• Broken Bread

  location

  Zürich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  The Incontro association helps those in need in the Langstrassenquartier in Zurich. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a greater need for support for those living on the street. To date, the association has distributed up to 400 meals every evening. The past months have seen conditions worsen for such individuals, leading to a diversified range of support. The association recently set up its own premises in the district, offering Covid-secure advice, German classes and a sewing workshop. We are now looking for volunteers to help out in the office and on the street.

• Driving and office services

  location

  Dübendorf / Canton of Zurich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Driving and office services Since 1990, the end-of-year Nez Rouge campaign has been a symbolic and at the same time very concrete gift to motorists during the holiday season. People volunteer in their region to drive their fellow citizens home in complete safety. For 30 years, the campaign has been raising public awareness of the consequences of getting behind the wheel when unfit to drive. Nez Rouge also promotes the designated driver principle: within the group, a driver who is fit to drive is designated in advance to get everyone home safely. We are looking for drivers, telephone operators, dispatchers

• Mentoring for children

  location

  Kanton Basel-Stadt

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  MUNTERwegs is a mentoring program for children aged 5 to 12. Would you like to join our project as a mentor for children? We are currently in need of support and so would be grateful to have you on board. MUNTERwegs is a mentoring project that assigns volunteers to children from migrant and non-migrant backgrounds. The program contributes to cultural integration, promotes equal opportunities and enables participants to actively participate in social life. The project takes place at various MUNTERwegs locations and is mainly geared towards children aged between 5 and 12 from migrant backgrounds and vulnerable Swiss families. Volunteers receive support in regular group events and coaching sessions.

• Visiting and assistance service

  location

  Zug

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Without help from volunteers, we would not be able to maintain our service for the elderly and people who are sick or have disabilities in Zug canton. As a volunteer, you will share a little of your time and abilities with someone. You’ll get to know new people, have interesting conversations and expand both your network and your social skills.

• Support with everyday life – neighborhood help

  location

  Uster

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Zeitgut Uster neighborhood help: members of the cooperative provide neighborhood help by contributing their time. Together with other institutions, we work to promote personal responsibility and a sense of community. People of all generations support each other when needed. As members of the Zeitgut Uster cooperative, beneficiaries receive support from the volunteers. The assistance provided in these tandems is compensated in the form of time credits.

• WohnFit

  location

  Stadt Zürich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  In a housing market as competitive as Zurich's, finding suitable accommodation is much harder for those affected by poverty. Adequate living space is essential for social and economic inclusion and for escaping poverty. WohnFit is looking for volunteer mentors willing to spend six months helping social welfare recipients in Zurich to find an apartment.

• Mentoring for children

  location

  Kanton Luzern

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  MUNTERwegs is a mentoring program for children aged 5 to 12. Would you like to join our project as a mentor for children? We are currently in need of support and so would be grateful to have you on board. MUNTERwegs is a mentoring project that assigns volunteers to children from migrant and non-migrant backgrounds. The program contributes to cultural integration, promotes equal opportunities and enables participants to actively participate in social life. The project takes place at various MUNTERwegs locations and is mainly geared towards children aged between 5 and 12 from migrant backgrounds and vulnerable Swiss families. Volunteers receive support in regular group events and coaching sessions.

• Join the Magic of Circo Fortuna!

  location

  Ticino

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  For almost 30 years, Circo Fortuna has been much more than an association: we are a driver of social change, an educational reference point, and a place where children, young people, and families discover the transformative power of circus arts. Every summer, over 300 participants have unique experiences that culminate in the creation of final shows, where the values of collaboration and creativity, lived during the camp days, are expressed. The project aims to ensure access for families in difficulty, children in foster care, and young people with social challenges or mild disabilities. We are therefore looking for volunteers who can provide concrete help in setting up the summer camp, offering in return the opportunity to attend an evening show.

• Distributing food

  location

  Birsfelden

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  The newly founded organization Tafel Thanksgiver Switzerland aims to provide food to families in need. Our mission is to combat hunger and prevent food waste. We strive to change the lives of people in need and improve the health and well-being of our community by providing healthy, nutritious food. Every Thursday our members collect, transport, order and distribute packaged foods, beverages, fresh products, dairy, bread and any other food items, provided to us by various stores.

• AOZ tandem program for refugees

  location

  Zurich, Adliswil, Affoltern a/A., Brüttisellen

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Accompany a refugee or family in their free time and support them when they arrive in Zurich. In a tandem, you meet with a refugee (single person or family) living in Zurich on a weekly basis for at least six months. You will be doing activities such as climbing the Uetliberg, cook a special meal together or study for a German exam. Regular catchups enable refugees to feel welcome, meet local people and being able to settle in Zurich. A tandem is geared towards specific areas of support as needed, such as help with administrative tasks, leisure activities, exploring Zurich and its surroundings or support in finding a job or housing. Meetups usually take place in the city of Zurich. Join us and do your bit for solidarity and understanding!

• My ear for you - just talk!

  location

  The whole of Switzerland

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  The association «My ear for you - just talk!» operates the first everyday telephone for young and old in Switzerland. People who don't have anyone to talk to or who just want to chat can find a volunteer employee who will listen to them in order to have an everyday conversation. The initiative would like to make a contribution to social participation and make a low-threshold telephone offer to lonely people with little or no social contacts. We all know what a good conversation can do: we just feel better afterwards. An initiative from the heart of society - people for people - 100% volunteer work.

• Transport service for people with disabilities

  location

  Zurich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Transport service for people with disabilities Mobility is an undervalued good. The lack of mobility for people with disabilities means that they’re unable to participate in social life. We organize daily trips for anyone who is unable to use public transport due to a disability. This mainly involves organizing individual trips to health resorts, vacation destinations and general leisure travel. We also organize daily school trips for children with disabilities or commutes to residential homes or workplaces. In addition to our day-to-day business, we also organize half-day or full-day trips at regular intervals. All trips and participation in our three leisure projects are free of charge to members. Drivers are needed for our charitable trips. Help us help others!

• Transport service

  location

  Switzerland

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Schweizer Tafel mainly supplies non-profit organizations. Institutions that process food themselves and/or distribute food to their clients are eligible for consideration. The organizations look after poor or needy people who receive little or no financial support from the state or that have a great need for food, such as soup kitchens. Schweizer Tafel collects surplus, unblemished food from donors and distributes it to charitable organizations.

• obvita – cafeteria support

  location

  St. Gallen

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  Residents are served in the cafeteria. They form new acquaintances and find new things to talk about. You get to know elderly people and understand their thoughts and concerns, as well as developing your social skills.

• Mentoring for children

  location

  Kanton Zug

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  MUNTERwegs is a mentoring program for children aged 5 to 12. Would you like to join our project as a mentor for children? We are currently in need of support and so would be grateful to have you on board. MUNTERwegs is a mentoring project that assigns volunteers to children from migrant and non-migrant backgrounds. The program contributes to cultural integration, promotes equal opportunities and enables participants to actively participate in social life. The project takes place at various MUNTERwegs locations and is mainly geared towards children aged between 5 and 12 from migrant backgrounds and vulnerable Swiss families. Volunteers receive support in regular group events and coaching sessions.

• Volunteer driver for the elderly and disabled

  location

  Uznach

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  The Tixi-Linth association has been providing transport for the elderly and disabled in the Linth area since 2017. This non-profit transport service allows passengers to get from A to B safely and affordably. We regularly look for new volunteer drivers so that we can continue providing this service.

• The Winterstube

  location

  Zurich

  calendar

  Year-round

  
  social user Free spaces available time Year-round recurring

  The homeless of Zurich are particularly affected by winter. But many facilities are closed on weekends or have reduced opening hours – so it’s all the more necessary to keep the Winterstube open on weekends during winter to provide shelter from the cold. People in desperate situations are given a little breathing space, the opportunity to use a PC, take a shower and wash their clothes. For some, this provides for some inner respite: finding peace, recovering their strength. Volunteers willing to donate their valuable time are urgently needed.