Alpha Centre and Alpha Land
Psycho-social support, informal education, recreational activities, community space, study and quiet area.
Samos Volunteers was founded in 2016 and has been adapting to the ever-changing situation in Samos for people in the refugee and migrant community. We initially started as a distribution effort with the aim of providing practical support for people arriving on the island. Now we focus our energy on maintaining our two community centres - Alpha Centre and Alpha Land - where we offer informal educational activities, psycho-social support and safe spaces.
Alpha Centre is based in Vathy town and has been supporting people living in the Vathy camp over the last 4 years. Now, Alpha Centre remains open for people still living in Vathy and those who wish to travel to the town from the new camp in Zervou. Alpha Land is a 5 minute walk away from the new camp, which means that residents do not have to pay the high bus ticket fares to reach our community centre.
We aim to create and hold a safe, dignified and creative space for displaced communities currently living in Samos. We facilitate a Women’s Safe Space in both Alpha Centre and Alpha Land where we run wellness sessions, sports activities and art workshops - offering a space for girls and women to relax and support each other. In our two community centres, we hold Greek, English, French and German language classes, as well as employment and sewing workshops.
Through collaborating closely with the network of NGOs here on the island, both the Alpha Centre and Alpha Land functions as a community centre, information hub and space to unwind, learn and be creative. Dignity, humanity and respect are our guiding principles.
Adult Informal Education
At the Alpha Centre, we provide English, French, German and Greek courses. People of all levels study with us, starting from those just learning their ABCs to advanced students. Our education program is part of our wider approach to psychosocial support - classes and workshops can offer a sense of structure, stability and focus. Education is an act of resistance against systems that continue to marginalise and exclude people on the move.
Women and Girls Safe Space
We have a women’s space where women can attend classes and workshops. We hold the space for creative activities, conversation forums and more. Safe spaces for women that fosters solidarity and is free of violence must be preserved, championed and prioritised.
Covid-19 Vaccination Support Programme
Our Vaccination Support programme started in 2021 as an emergency interim measure. However, we are still filling the gap to ensure that there is accessible information for the diverse communities of those on the move. We support people book vaccination appointments and receive their certificates. We firmly believe that access to healthcare should not depend on your residence status.
Community Space and Information Hub
Our community centres are an accommodating space with various degrees of privacy where people feel welcome, relaxed and safe. Our trauma-informed design and layout enhances that harmonious environment. Alpha Centre and Alpha Land are places where people can relax, drink a cup of tea, meet friends, play a board game, charge their telephone, copy their documents and find information about services for displaced people on Samos.
Sewing Service
On the weekdays, our expert tailors are mending and making clothes in the Alpha Centre. We are able to tailor and repair clothes - altering the garment to fit the individuals style and taste as well as being able to modify the clothing to cater to diverse cultural needs.
Workshops and Recreational Activities
Alongside our education programme, we facilitate sewing lessons, computer classes and employability workshops. Our community spaces prioritise learning and encourage practical skills. We often do fabric distributions and art workshops - as well as ensuring that we constantly adapt to the suggestions and feedback from the community.
