Volunteering in Åmål: autumn-break activities at the library
Local media followed our European Solidarity Corps volunteering team as we created crafts, games, chess, and a treasure hunt for children and young people at Åmål Library.
During my European Solidarity Corps placement in Åmål, Sweden, community engagement often meant creating simple, welcoming reasons for people to meet. During the autumn school break, I joined fellow European volunteers Federica Guzzetti and Senne Willems in supporting a programme for children and young people at Åmål Library.
The activities included crafts, games, chess, and a treasure hunt. They gave children something social and creative to do during the holiday while allowing us, as volunteers newly based in the town, to become more connected with the local community.
Local coverage of European volunteering
The programme was covered by Provinstidningen Dalsland in the Swedish-language article “EU-volontärer gladde elever med pyssel, spel och skattjakt på höstlovet”. Published on 3 November 2022, the report introduced the three European volunteers and documented the activities at the library. At that point, we were two months into our placements in Åmål.
The photograph captures one of the quieter moments: a game of chess with a young visitor. Alongside the larger events and formal communication activities of my placement, moments like this showed the everyday value of volunteering—being present, sharing time, and creating a welcoming space for participation.
Part of Seeds of Solidarity
This activity formed part of Seeds of Solidarity, my European Solidarity Corps placement with the Municipality of Åmål and Europe Direct Fyrbodal. My wider responsibilities included public communication about the European Union, school outreach, events, mobility guidance, social media, and connecting residents with European opportunities.
The experience is also documented by my Seeds of Solidarity Youthpass, which records the learning and responsibilities developed throughout the placement.