Volunteer in Spain

airplane

About Spain

ESPANA

About Spain

Located in southern Europe, Spain is one of the largest tourist destinations in the world. Its cultural heritage and local lifestyle attract millions of visitors each year who wish they could live in this country all year round. Despite being relatively small in size, it offers a great deal of diversity depending on the region, which means there are countless interesting corners to visit.

Spain’s climate

Spain enjoys a moderate to warm temperature compared to its European neighbors. It experiences four seasons, with summer being the hottest and winter being the coldest. Autumn is characterized by abundant rainfall, while spring offers moderate temperatures ranging from 8°C to 21°C depending on the region.

Asturias has an oceanic climate, characterised by mild temperatures throughout the year and frequent rainfall. Winters are cool and humid, while summers are mild, without excessively high temperatures. Rainfall is spread throughout the year, although it is generally more abundant in autumn and winter. Its proximity to the sea and high humidity contribute to the region’s green landscapes and moderate temperatures.

USEFUL INFORMATION

horario

Time zone

Sapin is typically in the Central European Time (CET) zone during the standard time period, which is UTC+1 (Coordinated Universal Time plus one hour). However, Italy also observes daylight saving time during the summer months, shifting to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2

cambio

Currency

The official currency is the Euro.​

mapa

Location

Our volunteering projects are located in Asturias.

casa

Stay

The volunteering stay begins when the volunteer arrives at the destination.

avion

Pick up times

The stipulated pick-up times for each destination/project must be respected. Volunteers who arrive outside of this day/window will have to pay an additional cost, depending on the destination.

VOLUNTEER programs

Where are the volunteer programs located?

Our volunteering projects are located in Asturias.

Programs

  • Animal Sanctuary Volunteer Program – Asturias

Requirements

  • Sufficient physical fitness is required to carry out cleaning, maintenance and animal care tasks.
  • Suitable work clothing according to the season is required (warm clothing, boots and clothes that can get dirty).
  • Volunteers must be willing to cook their own meals. Food is not included during the volunteer stay.
  • Only vegan food is permitted within the sanctuary.

What is included?

Costs

The cost of the volunteer program starts at 245€ for 1 week. You can find all the costs in the Program Costs section.

Gastronomy

As with many other aspects, Spanish gastronomy is very rich and varies according to the regions. From Galician broths and empanadas to paella, and from Asturian fabada to Spanish omelette, these are just a few typical dishes among the many you can find.

Transport in Spain

Spain has an extensive network of public transportation services that can take you to almost anywhere. Additionally, it offers a well-developed road network for people to travel by car. The local team will assist volunteers and provide advice on the different transportation options available in case they need it.

Start/Duration

Programs in Asturias start every week. It is recommended to arrive on Saturday or Sunday.

Our programs

ANIMAL SANCTUARY PROGRAM – ASTURIAS

The volunteer program takes place at an Animal Sanctuary located in Asturias and offers participants the opportunity to contribute to the care and well-being of animals rescued from situations of abandonment or exploitation. The sanctuary was created with the aim of providing a safe environment where these animals can live with dignity, in a natural setting based on respect and peaceful coexistence between species.

During their stay, volunteers will become part of the sanctuary’s daily routine, actively participating in animal care and the maintenance of the facilities. Main tasks include cleaning and maintaining the animals’ living areas, preparing and distributing their food, observing their behaviour and general health, as well as carrying out other activities necessary for the daily operation of the project. Volunteers may also help with general maintenance, organising spaces, collecting and sorting fruit and vegetables for the animals, or supporting educational activities and visits.

The work is carried out as a team alongside other volunteers and sanctuary staff. The daily routine usually begins in the morning with feeding the animals and cleaning their spaces, followed by different maintenance or improvement tasks around the sanctuary. The schedule may vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions and the sanctuary’s needs.

Participants will stay in the sanctuary’s volunteer house and will be responsible for preparing their own meals during their stay. All food consumed within the sanctuary must be strictly vegan, and bringing or consuming animal products on the premises is not permitted.

To make arrival easier, volunteers can be picked up from Infiesto train station. Please bear in mind that the sanctuary is located in a rural area with limited public transport.

No previous experience is required, although volunteers should be committed, responsible and willing to carry out a variety of physical tasks.

Volunteers must bring their own comfortable work clothes and their own bed sheets for the duration of their stay. It is recommended to bring clothes that can get dirty, as many activities take place outdoors and involve direct contact with the animals and the natural environment.

This program is a rewarding experience for anyone interested in learning about the care of rescued animals, living in a community and contributing to a project based on respect, empathy and animal protection. In addition to supporting the well-being of the sanctuary’s animals, volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings of Asturias and share the experience with people who have similar values.

Minimum age: 16 years old.

Typical Daily Routine

8:00 AM: Feeding and cleaning the animals

9:00 AM–1:00 PM: Sanctuary tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, collecting and sorting fruit and forage, and repairing infrastructure

2:00 PM: Lunch and free time

6:00 PM: Feeding the animals and occasional additional tasks such as brushing or maintenance

The schedule is indicative and may vary depending on the season, the number of volunteers and the sanctuary’s needs.

Arrival Information

Airport pick-up is not included. The recommended way to reach the sanctuary is to first arrive at Asturias Airport and then take a train to Infiesto. Once in Infiesto, the sanctuary team can arrange pick-up and transport to the village where the sanctuary is located.

Alternatively, volunteers may travel directly to the sanctuary by their own means. Please keep in mind that public transport in the area is limited.

accommodation and meals

Accommodation in Asturias

Participants will stay in the volunteer house located within the sanctuary itself, in a rural setting surrounded by nature. The accommodation is simple and designed for communal living among volunteers. During their stay, each participant will be responsible for preparing their own meals, and all food consumed within the sanctuary must be strictly vegan. Bringing or consuming any animal products on the premises is not permitted. Volunteers must bring their own bed sheets, as well as comfortable and suitable clothing for their daily work at the sanctuary.

program costs

The total cost of volunteering is divided into 2 parts. The registration fee, which is paid to book your placement, is 210 € (approx. US $253); and the program fee, which is paid later.

Asturias Program

245€ one week

245€ aditional weeks

What is included in the fee that I am paying?

What additional costs will be incurred by the volunteers?

Flights, travel insurance (obligatory), return to the airport, and other personal expenses.

Contact

Leave us your information and we will contact you within the next 24 hours

UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.