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Mental Health in Long-term Volunteering - Healthy Volunteers & Healthy Coordinators
Training Course
19-23 April 2026 | Leipzig, Germany
General Information
Professionals who support international volunteers often work with young adults who may bring diverse experiences of stress, psychological strain, or trauma. At the same time, these professionals operate in a demanding field that requires emotional presence, relationship-building, and intercultural sensitivity. This training course addresses this dual perspective. It aims to strengthen the mental well-being of professionals while providing fundamental skills for trauma-sensitive support of young volunteers. The focus is not on therapeutic/psychiatric intervention, but on pedagogical responsibility and everyday practice. The materials offer practical insights, reflection tools, and supportive approaches suitable for professional contexts.
In this training course, we aim to bring together 15 experienced youth workers, coordinators, mentors, and organizations that already have experience with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) or similar international volunteer programs.
We will focus on the topic of mental health, which has become an increasingly critical issue for both young people and youth workers—and not just since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our focus is not only on the health of the volunteers but also on the well-being of the staff working with them.
The training course consists of two main parts:
1) Exchange of Experience & Approaches: This includes discussing the differences between the participants' countries (e.g., healthcare systems, available support services, etc.), but also own experiences with the topic mental health and the exchange of best practices.
2) Specialized Workshop: The second part consists of a two-day workshop led by a qualified resilience trainer. This workshop addresses a dual perspective: it strengthens the mental health of professionals while teaching basic skills for the trauma-sensitive support of young volunteers. This is conducted within the framework of educational responsibility, without crossing into clinical therapy. The workshop is based on the principles of trauma-sensitive support and is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the specific needs of the participants.
Throughout all components of the course, we prioritize professional exchange and ensure that results are reflected upon and subsequently evaluated. Our goal is also for participants to connect, establish partnerships, and network to improve support structures for international volunteers.
Training Goals
- Provide a basic understanding of trauma, stress, and resilience.
- Strengthen professionals’ self-awareness and self-care.
- Improve the ability to recognize stress and potential trauma reactions in young volunteers.
- Develop a trauma-sensitive, resource-oriented approach.
- Learn concrete, accessible strategies for everyday pedagogical practice.
- Gain confidence in setting boundaries and managing one’s professional role.
- Facilitate professional and intercultural exchange.
- Build new contacts and networks.
Preliminary Schedule
Sunday, 19.04: Arrival, Welcome Evening & Getting to know each other
Monday, 20.04: Preparation & Exchange of Experiences
Tuesday, 21.04: Workshop Day I
Wednesday, 22.04: Workshop Day II
Thursday, 23.04: Farewell and Departure
Available downloads:
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Your kind of training?
Apply now! Application deadline (24h UTC): 8 February 2026 Date of selection: 16 February 2026Training overview
http://trainings.salto-youth.net/14329
This Training Course is
for 15 participants
from Ukraine, Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries 
and recommended for
Youth workers, Youth leaders, Youth project managers, Volunteering mentors, Youth coaches, Volunteering coordinators
Working language(s):
English
VILLA gGmbH (Youth NGO)
VILLA is a modern youth, cultural and social institution close to the center of Leipzig. With over 100 events and courses each week, it offers a wide range of activities for every age group (from early music training with toddlers to back schooling for senior citizens) in a variety of genres.The centre has five differently equipped event rooms, a media lab, a self-help bicycle-repair centre, a café, a band practice room and a sound laboratory. The eight-member ‘Europe team’ forms the core of the VILLA's international youth work and has been implementing various ESC and Erasmus+ youth projects for almost 20 years (Youth/Professional exchanges, youth
participation & solidarity projects)
We have been active in the ESC and EVS since 2001 and are one of the largest organisations in the Saxony region that accept and send volunteers. We host 2-3 volunteers in our organization and are also the coordinating organisation for 14 partner organizations in Leipzig and the region. In total, we are responsible for up to 25 (incoming) volunteers per year. We have two groups per year, which start in March and September. In addition, there are around 15 - 20 sendings, although we have worked less with permanent partners so far. Once per year, we organise a volunteer team (workcamp) with a focus on inclusion. Our volunteering positions are mainly in child care and youth work, but we also work together with a object theatre, the city library and a residential group for people with mental disabilities.
Contact for questions:
Costs
Participation fee
The participation fee is 100,00€ and has to be paid in advance via bank transfer. The participation fee of 100€ covers costs for accommodation, meals and all program-related costs.
Accommodation and food
The participation fee of 100€ covers costs for accommodation, meals and all program-related costs.
Travel reimbursement
Travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with Erasmus+ Youth standards, depending on the distance.