Being an "Hospitaleiro Voluntário" at Albergue Cidade de Barcelos
Albergue Cidade de Barcelos is a Pilgrim's Hostel (Albergue de Peregrinos) that is available to welcome Pilgrims on the Portuguese Way to Santiago (Caminho Português de Santiago), free of charge, or any other Pilgrimage itinerary (it accepts free and voluntary donations to support its Jacobean Hospitality project). The functioning of Albergue Cidade de Barcelos is based on voluntary work, namely, and for example, as a Hospitalier (Hospitaleiro Voluntário). Being a Hospitaller Volunteer is another way of doing the Camino de Santiago, but also a possibility of being able to contribute to the information and support of the Pilgrims who travel the Portuguese Camino, thus promoting the Pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago and Jacobean (and Barcelense) Hospitality.
In this context, the Associação ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos promotes its "Voluntary Hospitaller" program (Hospitaleiro Voluntário), enabling each and every Pilgrim and/or Hospitaller to also contribute, and voluntarily, to the Camino de Santiago, namely with their availability and presence at Albergue Cidade de Barcelos. Thus, anyone wishing to accept the invitation to become a Hospitaleiro (periodically, as part of their personal availability) may request the Board of Associação ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos to register as a Volunteer Hospitaller by filling out the form available here.
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Registration form as a Hospitaller Volunteer at Albergue Cidade de Barcelos
ALBERGUE CIDADE DE BARCELOS
(Regulation - Volunteer Hospitaller)
1º OBJECTIVE
a) The purpose of these Regulations is to define the Admission and Operating Rules relating to the "Volunteer Hospitallers" Program at Albergue Cidade de Barcelos, located at Rua Miguel Bombarda, n.º 36, União de Freguesias de Barcelos, Vila Boa and Vila Frescaínha (S. Martinho and S. Pedro), municipality of Barcelos;
b) As a Volunteer Hospitaller, within the scope of these Regulations, one is considered to be someone who, voluntarily and altruistically, assumes the Hospitality of Albergue Cidade de Barcelos for at least one day, spontaneously donating his/her time, work and talent and unpaid, for a cause and a spirit of sharing in favor of pilgrims, the Camino de Santiago and Jacobean (and Barcelense) Hospitality;
2º DIRECTION
The management of Albergue Cidade de Barcelos and its Hospitaleiros Voluntários is the responsibility of the Association ACB – Albergue Cidade de Barcelos (NIF: 509 947 409), headquartered at Rua Miguel Bombarda, n.º 36, União de Freguesias de Barcelos, Vila Boa and Vila Frescaínha (S. Martinho and S. Pedro), municipality of Barcelos.
3º ADMISSION
a) The admission of Volunteer Hospitallers is the responsibility of the Board of the Association ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos;
b) Any pilgrim, whether or not a member of the Association ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos, can apply for admission as a Volunteer Hospitaller to the Board of the Association ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos by filling out and submitting an admission form available here.
4º VOLUNTEER PERIOD
Two periods of stay at Albergue Cidade de Barcelos are allowed as a Hospitaller Volunteer:
a) Diary: Volunteer Hospitallers stay at the Hostel for a single day, without staying overnight, assuming the "management" of the Albergue on that day, representing the Board of the ACB Association - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos;
b) Weekly: Hospitaller Volunteers stay at the Albergue for periods of one to two weeks, staying overnight, assuming the "management" of the Albergue during that period (read reception and information for Pilgrims, and support for cleaning and maintenance activities), representing the Board of the Association ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos;
5º REMUNERATION
Volunteer Hospitaliers are not remunerated. It is admitted, however, that in the case of Volunteer Hospitallers for periods of one to two weeks, they may receive allowances, namely for meals.
6º BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AN "HOSPITALEIRO VOLUNTÁRIO"
A Hospitaller Volunteer must have, as basic principles:
a) When arrive, observe the resources and conditions offered by Albergue Cidade de Barcelos, the needs of the place and the pilgrims and adapt to all of this; take care of yourself; know your limitations and have common sense;
b) Respect and enforce compliance with the Regulations for Access and Operation Rules of Albergue Cidade de Barcelos that are in force, knowing that this is also applicable to you;
c) Respect and ensure respect for the opening and closing times of the Albergue;
d) Know general information about the city of Barcelos and the next steps, namely about access to health, pharmacies, restaurants, supermarkets and/or points of interest;
e) Verify and collect the personal data of the received Pilgrims, and protect their data;
f) Know that hygiene is essential in a place where many people stay and, therefore, take care of it. Ask the pilgrims to help keep the Albergue clean;
g) Not oblige or "force" the delivery of a monetary donation by a Pilgrim. The eventual delivery of a donation by a pilgrim must be made by the pilgrim, directly in the Hostel's donation box and/or by other means of sending monetary values (PayPal, for example);;
h) A Hospitaller Volunteer welcomes Pilgrims with fraternity. It does not "receive" them or "render an onerous service". The Albergues were formerly hospitals for pilgrims; therefore, in the "modern era", a Hospitaller Volunteer welcomes both healthy and sick people, without distinction or restrictions. Any type of hateful and/or discriminatory action is not allowed inside Albergue Cidade de Barcelos;
i) Hospitality must not be overloaded with Rules and Regulations that restrict the very concept of Hospitality, but all Albergue users must have easy and quick access to them;
j) A Hospitaller bases his action: on a fraternal welcome; in an altruistic and gratuitous service, without expecting anything in return; support and accompaniment in general (both informative and spiritual).
7º CIVIL RESPONSABILITY
Associação ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos is not responsible for any personal and/or property damage (namely theft and/or accident) that may occur inside the Albergue, including to a Hospitaller Volunteer.
8º OMISSIONS
a) Omissions in these Regulations are the responsibility of the Board of the Association ACB – Albergue Cidade de Barcelos;
b) All the exposed provisions can be modified according to eventual needs and specific conveniences by the Management of the Association ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos, for a better operation of the Hostel and for the better promotion of the Hospitality of the Pilgrims.
9º FINAL PROVISION
This Regulation enters into force on the day following its approval and publication at www.alberguedebarcelos.com, remaining in force until its eventual modification and/or express revocation.
Revisto em Assembleia-Geral Ordinária no dia 29 de outubro de 2022 da
Associação ACB - Albergue Cidade de Barcelos