Volunteer and Fieldwork
CircusAid
CircusAid projects focus on the intersection of circus and occupational therapy to address the negative consequences of displacement, such as mental health issues and trauma, for political and environmental refugees.
Fieldwork Opportunities
The Holistic Circus Therapy Higher Education Fieldwork Program enables university students to gain cross-cultural insights and understanding into the political, social, cultural, and economic factors that influence the provision of occupational therapy services to displaced persons and refugee populations in Europe. Occupational deprivation is explored and addressed using social circus philosophy, expertise, and practical application. Contact Jill for more information about our volunteer and fieldwork programs HERE
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the placement students will be able to:
Plan, deliver and evaluate circus-themed occupational therapy interventions to increase resilience and community health.
Engage with local service providers, organizations, and a variety of healthcare professionals.
Demonstrate effective communication, role acquisition, and political agency in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Understand and apply components of trauma-informed care.
Identify and coordinate logistical elements involved in project management.
Develop and deliver fundraising strategies.
Explain social enterprise business models for innovative global health solutions.
Why Volunteer with CircusAid?
CircusAid programs help service recipients heal from trauma and gain life skills to enable occupational engagement during resettlement. Since 2015, CircusAid has engaged over 5000 Afghan, Syrian, Iraqi, Sudanese Eritrean, Ethiopian and Indonesian refugees in social circus programs, resulting in increased happiness, motivation, self confidence, better sleep and improved connections to their communities.
“Have you ever been to the circus and on the way out thought ‘how good was that!’ Not only are the skills fantastic to watch but they are great fun to try too. The color, the movement, the team work, the sense of achievement as you practice and progress through the skills. Circus skills and arts offer so much as an inclusive activity – the skills gained are only a small part of what circus training offers.”