New course programme from the Bocholt Volunteer Academy published for the second half of 2026

The Bocholt Volunteer Academy has published its new training programme for the second half of 2026. From now on, interested citizens involved in voluntary work, as well as full-time coordination staff, can register for a total of eight free training courses and workshops. The new programme is available online on the Volunteer Agency's website and is specifically designed to support local civic engagement.

The Bocholt Volunteer Academy, which grew out of the city-wide network 'Engagierte Stadt Bocholt', puts together a programme of training courses every six months, tailored to current practical needs. The range of the eight courses on offer in the coming half-year is wide-ranging and covers various professional and social fields. The portfolio includes, amongst other things, a training course to become a volunteer learning mentor for adults with reading and writing difficulties, as well as the practical programme "Fit for Neighbourhood Support%$. In addition, the Reading Mentors Network is organising an information session and a book presentation for active reading mentors.

Furthermore, the programme includes a workshop on learning support in a school setting, a training course on dementia, and two courses focusing on media and communication. In the social media workshop "Reels for Volunteering", participants learn how to present their work in a contemporary digital format, whilst the workshop "Communicating on an Equal Footing" focuses on face-to-face communication.

"Volunteering thrives on people's enthusiasm, but also on their skills", explains Francis Heitkötter, volunteering coordinator for the City of Bocholt. ""With this new programme, we are strengthening the structures of our local network and providing volunteers with exactly the tools they need for their valuable day-to-day work.""

A permanent partnership has been behind this comprehensive range of training courses since 2017. This partnership comprises the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre, the Family Education Centre, the 'Leben im Alter' association, the Caritas Association for Bocholt, Isselburg and Rhede, the 'jusina' association, the City of Bocholt's Integration Office and the Bocholt Volunteer Agency. The courses are free of charge for all participants.

Registration for the individual courses takes place directly with the respective organiser of the programme. All contact details and detailed descriptions of the modules are available online at www.wir-fuer-bocholt.de/freiwilligenakademie. In addition, programme leaflets will be available from mid-July at the Bocholt Volunteer Agency, Langenbergstr. 18.