Volunteering
Our volunteers are the backbone of La Maison de Tara. The volunteers are trained on site, and contribute to the home-like atmosphere that characterises La Maison de Tara. Each week, ca. 50 volunteers are present in the house at a time or another.
Our unique training programme (offered in French and in English) is delivered by experienced trainers who also volunteer at La Maison de Tara. They share their extensive experience with new-joiners.
A unique training programme developing essential skills
La Maison de Tara offers to its volunteers a unique training in "know-how to be" and "know-how to do", enabling the trainees to be equipped with tools and develop useful skills to become caregivers.
These skills are valuable on a daily basis to better manage our mental health.
Resilience, presence, empathy, ability to prioritize, discerning which information is to be shared: these are some of the skills and tools you can develop by becoming a volunteer at La Maison de Tara.
Our training sessions (in French or English) generally start in September each year. Volunteering takes place under the supervision of more experienced volunteers and house professionals. They share their valuable experience with our volunteers during the training.
Thanks to our trainers, expert volunteers, La Maison de Tara offers free instruction in “life skills” and “know-how”, valuable to face life’s obstacles, supporting your loved ones in end-of-life, chronic or even temporary illness.
Other volunteering activities
Do you want to dedicate some of your time without following our training?
In order to ensure the proper functioning of La Maison de Tara, we need volunteers for other activities that do not require our training:
-
various DIY jobs around the house
-
small errands
-
social media
-
event planning
If you have a few free hours, and our mission interest you, do not hesitate to contact us.
Volunteers testimonials
Manfredo Radicati
Trainer and volunteer
The paradox of the House of Tara is that you learn to live there, while you are with people at the end of their life... There reigns an atmosphere filled with humanity, like nowhere else.
The exchanges, also with the relatives of the residents and the other volunteers, are so enriching! Being a volunteer at the Maison de Tara is not only a school of life, it gives meaning to it.
Hilde Bjorgo
Volunteer
This year of La Maison de Tara training has been an incredible journey. It's like I have been given completely new toolset to manage my own life as well as life as a volunteer at La Maison de Tara.
It's the best thing I have ever done.
Celine Moncalvo
Trainer and volunteer
The job of accompanying someone is essential in our current society. Sharing values that are important to me, my experience as a volunteer, allowing others to connect with their humanity, their resources and their capacity for compassion, with caring and kind communication.
It is talking about death and mourning without taboos, and especially about LIFE!
Elina Viitaniemi
Volunteer
In 2018, I designed the first fundraising campaign for La Maison de Tara to support the work of night watchmen. At that time, we created a Facebook page, and the House began to exist on social media.
During the pandemic, there was a strong growth in digital communication.
I appreciated being able to contribute remotely at a time when I could not be physically present in the House.