Our Background
THE COLLECTIVE - VOLUNTEER LAB
The Volunteer Lab is a two-day immersive gathering designed for volunteers across Switzerland who believe in the power of conscious giving, personal growth, and collective action.
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Held once a year—either online or in-person in Basel—this annual lab brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds and regions who are offering their time, skills, and presence to causes that matter. Whether you are new to volunteering or a seasoned changemaker, the Lab is a space to reconnect, recharge, and reimagine what it means to give.
the lab
purpose
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To celebrate and share personal volunteering stories that inspire and uplift
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To provide practical tools for volunteers to serve more mindfully, ethically, and effectively
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To offer wellness workshops focused on self-care, emotional resilience, and creativity for healing
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To foster a community of like-hearted volunteers committed to sustained impact and inner growth
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To bridge the gap between giving and receiving—honoring both as vital aspects of a meaningful volunteer journey
nature
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Story Circles: Guided spaces where participants reflect on and share their experiences with service
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Skill-Building Workshops: Sessions on ethical volunteering, conscious communication, and working across cultures
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Well-being & Creativity Spaces: Guided mindfulness, movement, art, and expressive writing to restore and reflect
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Peer Learning Labs: Explore challenges and solutions with other volunteers from various sectors
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Inspiration Panels: Hear from changemakers and community leaders shaping the future of volunteering
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Seed Sessions: Ideation spaces to initiate new volunteer-led projects or collaborations within the Touching Lives ecosystem
why it matters?
Volunteering is more than giving time—it’s a practice of presence, a journey of learning, and a mirror that reflects both the needs of the world and the gifts we carry within.
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The Volunteer Lab nurtures this journey—offering each participant the tools, space, and community to serve with clarity, compassion, and joy.
