Sollicitatie TeamUp - Voluntary work for refugee children in NL

JOIN THE TEAM! (ENGLISH HOME)

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for TeamUP

Get started as a volunteer for TeamUp and spend approximately five hours per week facilitating sports, games, and physical activities for refugee children or teenagers at a (emergency) shelter location near you.

About you:

Experience in organizing recreational activities for children or teenagers
Relevant work experience or education (or currently studying) in the fields of pedagogy, education, sports, games, and/or physical activity
Available for approximately 5 hours per week starting around 15:30 (the day when activities take place varies by location)
Available for an extended period. Stability is essential for this vulnerable group of children
For the children's teams, the emphasis of the activities is more on play and less on sports. It is important to be creative in responding to this
For the teenage teams, it's important that you have an affinity for sports, can set boundaries, and respond to the needs of young people

We offer:

The opportunity to gain experience in this field and further your development
A place in an international, enthusiastic, and professional volunteer team
Training sessions and follow-up training in facilitating activities and working with the specific target group
Events for exchanging experiences with other volunteers
Counseling and stress management sessions
Travel expense reimbursement

Apply

JOIN THE TEAM

Join and strengthen our team

As a facilitator for TeamUp, you provide psychosocial support to refugee children and teenagers through sports, games, and physical activities. They learn to cope with their emotions in a playful manner, gain more confidence, and thus build a hopeful future. You will receive training and guidance beforehand. Afterward, you join an enthusiastic team of other volunteers to work at a shelter location near you.

WATCH LENTE'S STORY

HOE IS DE SAMENWERKING MET COA?

VRIJWILLIGER ZIJN GEEFT VEEL VOLDOENING

WATCH KIRSTEN'S STORY

FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN IN THE NETHERLANDS

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VOLUNTEERS

Currently, there are approximately 165 active volunteers for TeamUp.

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LOCATIONS

TeamUp is active in approximately 60 shelter centers across the entire country.

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CHILDREN REACHED

From 2015 until 2025, we reached more than 700.000 children worldwide with TeamUp.

WHAT DOES A TEAMUP SESSION LOOK LIKE?

At a fixed time each week, you, along with your team, facilitate sports, games, and physical activities for refugee children and teenagers aged 6 to 18. These activities have a theme and a purpose. Children learn to cope with emotions like anger, fear, and stress in a playful manner. Additionally, you have a monitoring role where you learn how to recognize concerning behavior and, if necessary, refer children to specialized care and support.

For the children’s sessions, the emphasis of the activities is more on play and less on sports. For the teenage sessions, the emphasis is more on sports and responding to the needs of the young people.

Apply for TeamUp
in 4 steps

TeamUp was developed in 2015 by Save the Children, War Child and UNICEF Netherlands. They bundled their years of global expertise together in a program for refugee children in the Netherlands – and far beyond.

01.

APPLICATION

After applying, we will receive your data. We will contact you as soon as possible.

02.

INTRODUCTION

After a short intake through the phone, we schedule an (online) interview. During this interview we will tell you more about the background and meaning of TeamUp and your role in it.

03.

TRAINING

After the interview you will follow a two-day StartUp training. You will learn to supervise the TeamUp activities and to work with the specific target group.

04.

START

If you have successfully completed the training, you are almost ready to start. We only check a reference and request a VOG (certificate of conduct). Then you can start!

EXPERIENCES OF
OUR VOLUNTEERS

I have fond memories of the TeamUp mentors

“I have such fond and warm memories of the TeamUp counselors. I looked forward to TeamUp every week; I even kept participating after I was too old to join. Thanks to TeamUp, I made friends at the asylum seekers’ center.”

As a volunteer, you'll be joining a really great team

“What I really love about the TeamUp sessions is that the kids often come up with their own game ideas. Plus, they’re so enthusiastic and happy every time we do TeamUp—it really gives me a huge boost of energy. As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a really great team, so I encourage everyone to sign up.”

We often choose the theme of relaxation

“At our location in Katwijk, we see a lot of tension and anxiety within families. That’s why, at TeamUp, we’ve made a conscious decision to focus on relaxation at this location: a first step toward giving children some breathing room and tools to find inner peace.”

I know I'm making a difference

“I notice that sometimes children aren’t feeling their best because there’s a lot going on in their lives. It’s hard and sad to see that. I know I can make a difference and that they’re glad I’m there. When I look back and see what we’ve been able to give these children over the years, it warms my heart.”

TeamUp is like a bridge

“TeamUp really helps children connect with others, express their emotions, and play together. I saw how my sister changed: she made friends and grew as a person. My mother also said, ‘TeamUp is like a bridge that helps children build a community in their new country.”

JOIN TEAMUP

We are urgently looking for volunteers in the emergency shelter location. We are also often looking for new volunteers at the regular shelter locations in the Netherlands.

Apply here