Special Needs Support
Join the Special Needs Support program in Croatia where volunteers are invited to assist in care centers for adults with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, helping them integrate into their communities and live more inclusive, less stigmatized lives. You’ll work alongside local staff and fellow volunteers, engaging in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that promote physical well-being, creativity, and emotional support.
People with intellectual disabilities are often overlooked and marginalized by society. By volunteering, you’ll help raise awareness and foster understanding, while directly supporting initiatives that enable this community to overcome barriers to independent living and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Join this meaningful mission and make a lasting impact through the work of dedicated non-profit organizations committed to inclusion and empowerment!
Goals of this project:
- Support individuals with disabilities to improve their quality of life and integration into the community.
- Provide companionship and care, building strong, supportive relationships and offering emotional support.
- Contribute to the physical well-being and progress of individuals with disabilities.
How You Can Help
As a volunteer, you will provide vital support to the dedicated teams who offer primary care for people with disabilities. By spending time with the residents, you help make their lives happier and brighter, while also giving staff the opportunity to provide more individualized attention and manage essential tasks that improve the overall functioning of these organizations.
Whether it’s leading outdoor adventures like beach walks, bicycle tours, and visits to animal farms, or engaging in creative indoor activities such as arts, crafts, and cooking sessions, your contributions will make a meaningful impact. You’ll also assist with physical therapy exercises, provide companionship and care, help prepare and serve nutritious meals, and support daily living tasks such as cleaning and personal care.
Your involvement directly enhances the quality of life for people with disabilities and strengthens the community around them—making a lasting difference every day.
As a volunteer, you can expect to be involved in the following tasks:
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Organizing and participating in outdoor activities, including beach walks, bicycle tours, and animal farm projects.
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Guiding participants in arts, crafts, and cooking sessions.
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Assisting with physical therapy exercises to support the physical well-being and progress of individuals with disabilities.
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Preparing and serving nutritious meals, ensuring everyone receives proper nourishment.
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Helping with cleaning and personal care tasks, making daily life easier and more comfortable for those you support.
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to assist in the ongoing support of individuals with disabilities. This highly interactive and varied project does not require participants to have a background in the field of special needs, as there are many ways you can assist. However, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
Project Location
Split perfectly melds the old and the new.
This vibrant Croatian coastal city showcases the best of relaxed European living, blended with history and ancient architecture. Bars, restaurants, markets and shops nestle within the walls of the Unesco listed Diocletian palace and the walls of the Old Town.
With it's backdrop of impressive mountains, coastal dining and alleys winding through the palace walls this is a city that will enchant!
Split is a ferry ride away from magical outlying Croatian Islands, perfect for a weekend getaway.
Start Dates & Duration
This project has arrivals on SUNDAYS. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are met on arrival into Split airport and transport is provided to the hostel to settle in. On Monday a comprehensive orientation session takes place to cover the culture and customs, language basics, safety guidelines and practical information as well as an overview of the programs and volunteer experience. A 2-hour responsible guided city tour is also included - perfect for getting to know Split and meeting fellow volunteers and local staff.
- Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival Airport: Split International Airport (Resnick Airport). Code SPU.
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers in Split are accommodated in a popular hostel, conveniently located from the centre of town and near to public transport. There are several rooms divided by gender (Male/Female).
All rooms are clean and equipped with air conditioning and fans.
There is a shared kitchen, and garden terraces for common use.
The hostel is located right by the beach, in a quiet and peaceful area.
It is within walking distance to town along the seafront, with a bus station nearby.
Laundry services, a 24hr pharmacy and supermarket are all within close proximity.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided daily at a local eatery (included in the program fee). Just note that the restaurant closes at 5pm 2 nights a week, so you will need to get in early, takeaway for later or, even better, explore the other local eateries! It doesn't get much easier than that!
Fees
That’s just USD 111 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.