Experienced Charity Worker looking for Job in Poznan, Torun or Wroclaw

Hi I am Sam and I am interested in moving to Poland to work.

I am currently working for local government in Brighton, England for the emergency homeless department. Prior to this I have worked for a Peace and Environment Charity, Local government children's services, a fund raising charity and a number of youth and refugee organisations.

I have previous experience in working with refugees and also in grant writing and fundraising. I have also previously taught english as a foreign language, both in the UK and abroad.

I have worked an studied in Spain, Poland, Ukraine and Israel. I have a BA and MA in International Relations.

i have basic polish but am currently taking intensive classes. I also have a moderate level of spanish.

If any one can help me or give me some ideas/contacts, I would be very grateful.

I am looking to be based in poznan or Wroclaw, although I would also be interested in other areas.

Salary is not too much of an issue (of course enough to rent an aparment and live etc!!)

please e-mail direct on s_t_bennett@hotmail.com or reply to my posting. CV and reference contacts can be e-mailed upon request

Hi Sam...bit of a tricky one this....There are plenty of charities in Poland that need help , i have been involved with a few...The problem you might find is that the people that most need your help and expertise don,t have any dosh to give you , and struggle to pay a small amount of money to the people they have...I first came to Poland leading convoys of 4 x 4 vehicles to bring aid to poor people over here , and wound up living here...I live in the north west of Poland (Drawsko pomomorskie) , but if there is anything i can do to help or advise just ask....Jan..

Thanks for the info Jan,

That is what my research so far suggests. loads of charities, none with any money (not unlike the UK really!!!). There are obviously jobs available in these cities but not in the sector i am interested in.

I am guessing that, as in the UK, most larger international charities will be based in Warsaw/Krakow? The idea of moving to that area is to be with my partner in Poznan so it seems little use to move to the other side of the country.

Given my experience/skills/qualifications what would be the best way in?

What chances of consultancy/freelance grantwriting?

Can,t aswer that one , not something i have much experiance of really , but if you have a Polish partner then you will find life a lot easier than i did coming here on my own with no knowledge of Polish language , and i survive some how....Poznan is not a huge distance for me , so maybe we will meet up for a beer some time.....I am member of motorcycle klub that is based in Poznan...I wish you the best of luck....let me know how you ger on....Jan wildrover@op.pl

thanks for the info Jan

i'll update you if/when i head over!

Regards

Sam

Hi there,

I'm going to be in Krakow for 6 months from January and wondered if there are any charities in Krakow (near the centre) that would like a volunteer from a day a week or weekends etc? Unpaid of course.

Thanks

Jessie

You may try here:

http://www.mops.krakow.pl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

or one of these:

http://www.rcim.krakow.pl/main/wpis.php?id_g=35&id=61

Thanks Grzegorz. The second work with youths? I'm not sure what the first one does.

As I don't know Polish, though I'm learning, I think I'll be better at providing physical help rather anything administrative. Are there any charities that help the aged or the sick? I'm happy to do physical work or go on errands.

Jessie

The first one is a public organization helping homeless people, eldery etc. In the 2nd link there's a different NGO next to each dot.

Thanks for the explanation Grzegorz. Will check out now that I'm here.

J