- Andy and David, two volunteers with disabilities, have begun their placements following training in Hungary. Their work at the inclusive summer camp run by Sitting Volley Sevilla highlights the power of volunteering as a tool for inclusion and social transformation.
Inclusion and active participation have come to life this week at CEIP María Zambrano, where two participants from the European project Be A Volunteer, implemented by COCEMFE Sevilla, have started their volunteering experience. Andy Duque and David Iglesias, members of the Federation, began their placements on Wednesday 16 July at the Summer Camp organised by Sitting Volley Sevilla, marking an important milestone in their training and in the commitment of both organisations towards a fairer society.
Following a valuable training phase in Tihany, Hungary, the volunteers have stepped into action, contributing their energy and talent to supporting coordination, logistics, and the running of the camp’s sports and leisure activities. Their involvement not only ensures the smooth operation of daily sessions, but also serves as a powerful example of overcoming challenges and active participation.
Voices of the Volunteers: “This helps you grow as a person”
Motivation and enthusiasm are evident in the volunteers’ first impressions. “I feel great and eager to continue and make progress,” said one of them, while his colleague noted that he was “highly motivated”.
A passion for sport and a desire to engage with young people were the main driving forces behind their decision to join the initiative. For them, working with a sports organisation means far more than just another activity. “It means a lot to me to know I’m part of something that’s truly constructive for others—especially knowing that these are young people,” explained David. Andy added that the experience will allow him “to progress and gain more experience”.
Both have felt “completely” welcomed and highlighted the warm reception from the team at Sitting Volley Sevilla: “They welcomed us with open arms.” They bring to the group values such as “empathy” and “knowledge aimed at fostering greater social inclusion”, and they strongly believe in the importance of creating such spaces. “These kinds of experiences should be promoted more frequently,” they stated.
Looking to the future, they hope to gain “experience working with young people, in inclusive sport, and in educational aspects”. When asked whether they would recommend the experience, their response was unanimous and emphatic: “Absolutely. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to engage with others,” said one. “Obviously, this helps you grow as a person and to open your heart,” added the other.
A Warm Welcome: The Perspective of Sitting Volley Sevilla
For the host organisation, welcoming Andy and David has been a natural and enriching step. Daniel López, coordinator of Sitting Volley Sevilla, explained that involving volunteers with disabilities “helps to reinforce what we work on with our students every day: the normalisation of disability in everyday life”.
The decision was instant. “I think it took less than 60 seconds in the first conversation to agree that this would happen in our Inclusive Summer School,” López recalled.
The volunteers’ impact was immediate and highly positive. “They bring stability to our activities, and I’ve been surprised by how quickly they connected with the kids,” the coordinator reflected. This experience represents a significant step forward for the organisation. “Until now, we’ve worked with students with various disabilities, but with David and Andy, we’ve gone a step further by including facilitators who bring enthusiasm and a desire to improve.”
The impact on the children is “essential” for promoting inclusion through shared experience. López has a clear message for other organisations: “Let’s work to make these collaborations the norm, not the exception.”
Impact on the Children: “We’re learning that everyone can play”
The presence of the new volunteers has been met with joy and natural acceptance by the children at the camp. For them, it’s an opportunity “to make new friends” and learn that “everyone can play, even if we do it differently.” They admire the volunteers’ bravery, willingness to take part, and cheerful attitude.
The experience is reinforcing key values such as teamwork, respect, and effort. “Playing together teaches us to respect each other more,” one child remarked. The overall conclusion is clear: inclusion enriches the group, making it stronger, more united, and, above all, more participatory and inclusive.
At COCEMFE Sevilla, we remain committed to developing programmes that enable our users to lead active lives, participate in society, and contribute their abilities as tools for awareness and social transformation throughout Seville and its province.
