Volunteer in Portugal 2026

You’ll join a childcare placement in Lisbon, working with children aged 3 to 5 in a warm and welcoming environment. Alongside local teachers, you’ll support daily routines, help with simple lesson activities, and bring extra energy and attention to the classroom. Your presence gives the children more individual support and helps them feel seen, heard, and encouraged.

A big focus of this project is introducing basic English in a fun, relaxed way. Through games, songs, and simple interactions, you’ll help the children get comfortable hearing and using new words. At the same time, you’ll encourage important social skills like sharing, teamwork, and empathy so the group feels safe and connected.

Creative play is at the heart of each day. You might help set up art projects, guide storytelling sessions, or support outdoor play and simple group games. These activities are not just fun, they also support the children’s emotional development, curiosity, and confidence.

Throughout your time here, you’ll collaborate closely with the local teacher. You may help prepare materials, suggest small activities, or assist with planning for the next day. This gives you a great insight into early childhood education in Portugal and lets you contribute your own ideas in a respectful, supportive way.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, your days begin with breakfast at your accommodation before you head to the childcare placement. In the mornings, you’ll support caretaking and teaching activities, helping children through their routines and guided learning time. After lunch, you’ll continue with creative and educational exercises and finish the day by assisting the teacher with simple planning and preparation for the next day, before returning for dinner and time to relax.

The schedule may be adjusted depending on local or unexpected circumstances

In this program, you’ll be involved in the daily work of a community food shop that redistributes good, unused food. The aim is simple but powerful: prevent quality food from ending up in the trash and make sure it reaches individuals and families who are struggling. You’ll see firsthand how small actions can make a big difference in people’s daily lives.

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Your tasks can include preparing and organizing food baskets, helping in the kitchen, and supporting meal assembly. You might sort donations, arrange items on shelves, or help pack and label food so it is easy to distribute. Keeping things organized ensures that the food is handled efficiently and reaches people in a safe, respectful way.

Part of your role is also maintaining a clean and hygienic space. You’ll help keep the kitchen and storage areas tidy, follow hygiene guidelines, and work as part of a team that takes food safety seriously. This not only protects the community but also teaches you a lot about responsible food management.

Throughout the week, you’ll interact with local staff, other participants, and sometimes with the people receiving support. By being respectful, flexible, and open to guidance from coordinators, you’ll contribute to a positive atmosphere and a strong sense of teamwork. At the same time, you’ll gain insight into social challenges in Lisbon and how local initiatives respond.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, you’ll start your day with breakfast at your accommodation before heading to the food shop. Once there, you’ll help prepare food baskets, support kitchen work, clean and organize the space, and assist with serving meals where needed. After a lunch break, you’ll continue with tasks such as preparing food, organizing donations, or helping with food collection and distribution, before returning to your accommodation for dinner and time to unwind.

The schedule may be adjusted depending on local or unexpected circumstances