Communities
IWP encourages our members to volunteer and participate in events organised by local charities and other non profit organisations.
Casa da Sopa Bercaria
Casa da Sopa Bercaria provides assistance to neighbourhood children.
It receives Municipal funding as well as support from private donors. It is fully operated by volunteers. Portuguese language skills are not necessary to provide volunteering support. Volunteers distribute children’s clothing, nappies, toys, car seats, cots, prams, and toiletries to 48 children aged 0-4. Donations of these items are welcome. We also welcome assistance in organising seasonal clothing and Christmas parties.
We are based at Rua Do Parque 2785-468 Sao Domingos de Rana (inland from Parade).
You can find out more about the project at www.casadasopa.com
If interested in helping out or donating to the project, please contact Isabel Costa at casamarianazare@gmail.com
Cozinha com Alma
Cozinha com Alma is a social take-away open to the public. All profits are used to subsidise meals for the needy. A social programme is also in place for 61 families in need of support.
The project is fully funded from private resources. It has 20 paid staff and 60 volunteers on board, and welcomes both Portugese and non-Portugese speakers. Work for the project includes food preparation and packaging, general shop assistance, biscuit rolling, and companionship and assistance to the elderly. We are also looking for an IT expert.
The retail shop is located at Praceta Padre Marcal da Silveira Cascais, and the kitchen at Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral 631 Cascais.
Read about Cozinha com Alma at www.cozinhacomalma.pt
If interested in volunteer work, please contact Ana d’Avillez at ana.avillez@cozinhacomalma.pt
CERCICA
CERCICA exists to promote quality of life and inclusion of persons with intellectual disability in a professional context of excellence and sustainability, as a strategic partner for families, public entities, entrepreneurs, and other actors of our society. A total of 200 clients are currently receiving our services.
The project receives state and private funding. Participation requires Portugese language skills, and involves assistance to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers take part in awareness and information campaigns and development of sponsorship activities. Another way to help out is to provide internships or employment in your business or to assist with our horticultural programme.
We are based at Rua Principal, 320-320A, Livramento, 2765-383 Estoril.
You can find out more about CERCICA at www.cercica.pt
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Teresa Pinheiro, tel. +351 21 465 85 90 or
Animal Rescue Centre - SFA Cascais
The mission of the Animal Rescue Centre is providing protection and wellbeing for abandoned cats and dogs. Around 190 cats and 300 dogs are currently looking for adoption.
The Centre is funded by the municipality of Cascais and from private donations. It has both paid staff and volunteers on board. You do not have to speak Portugese to volunteer. Your job will be walking the dogs and petting and playing with the cats.
You will find our website at www.sfcascais.pt
The address of the Animal Rescue Centre is Estrada Principal do Zambujeiro 432, Alcabideche. You can reach us by bus #402 or 414 from Cascais bus station.
To volunteer, please contact us at barbara.nabo@sfacascais.pt
Riding for the Disabled
The programme is attended by special needs youth from institutions and schools in the Cascais area. Nearly 90 intellectually disabled kids aged 4 to late teens ride our 4 horses as therapy.
The programme is funded from both state and private resources, and involves participation of paid staff as well as volunteers. We speak Portugese, English, and other languages. Portugese is not essential. Volunteer work involves riding assistance. No experience is required for walking beside the horse. Experienced riders are needed to exercise the horses on weekends. We are also looking for a Portugese-speaking Administration Clerk.
You will find us near camping site Orbitur at the end of Guincho beach, Cascais (Clube D. Carlos I). Bus service to the site is available from Cascais.
Read more about the programme at www.aht.org.pt