Sutton Coldfield YMCA has a sucessful history of international youth work. As such we see our participation in the European Voluntary Service as an expansion of the services we offer to young people. Sutton Coldfield YMCA's objectives are to provide opportunities for personal growth, skills and abilities development To provide for the volunteer the context for intercultural expression, creativity and innovation Promote and develop non formal education as a method for active citizenship and civic involvement of youngsters. Offering culture related activities to let participants actively learn to set their own culture backgrounds and experiences in relation to other participants of the programme. We think that the European Voluntary Service aims to provide young voluntary workers with an intercultural learning experience and the opportunity to acquire many skills which will be useful for their social and professional integration. Sutton Coldfield YMCA offers a variety of cultural and leisure-time activities, advice, support and help. We work closely together with other organisations in the local community. By hosting a volunteer, we want to make the volunteer aware of how valued their contribution to this work will be. We are offering a youth work/childrens programme for young volunteers, a training programme about cultural diversity/life skills for young people, a programme for young people with disabilities, a programme for young people in a caring role of either a parent or sibling . Further more we cooperate with the local churches and schools in several projects for children together. (including youth clubs) The role of the volunteer should mainly be to offer his/her special skills connected to and co-ordinated with the program and projects of Sutton ColdfieldYMCA and the local community. The volunteer has the possibility to be part of various projects and will have the opportunity to develop own projects and activities. Activities could be: meeting other residents, offering play activities for young children, connect and support with parents, assisting staff in project life skill lessons, organising free-time activities for young people like going to the cinema, going to disco, theatre etc, helping to plan and run social activities for young people, help to plan, organise and run events like summer/Christmas parties, charity events, concerts, talks etc... Duration of service for the volunteers is 12 months, the project takes place in Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham UK)