When clicking the language function, a connection with Google is established and your personal data is forwarded to Google!

Stadt Bocholt
de nl
Reset language
Simple language
Share
Share
Chatbot
Reset language
Simple language
Share
Share
Chatbot
Social

Honorary office

actively strengthen

actively strengthen

 |  Social & Education  |  Social facilities  | 

Promotion of voluntary work

Bocholt Volunteer Agency

Please note: Our new website is currently under construction. You'll soon be able to find the tried-and-tested content from wir-fuer-bocholt.de here - including profiles of volunteers, the register of organisations, the volunteer opportunities search and lots more information about volunteering in Bocholt.

Strengthening voluntary work in Bocholt

Volunteering and civic engagement thrive thanks to the people who take part in them. The Bocholt Volunteer Agency is a service provided by the City of Bocholt and is organised within the Social Services Department. It acts as an initiator, facilitator and matching service, connecting people who are interested in volunteering with organisations, companies, clubs or other charitable institutions that have voluntary roles to offer.

Wherever possible, the Bocholt Volunteer Agency relies on partnerships and collaboration with other local and wider regional organisations.

Services provided by the Bocholt Volunteer Agency:

  • Information on all aspects of "volunteering in Bocholt"
  • Impartial advice and placement for voluntary work
  • Advice for charitable organisations
  • Coordination of the "Volunteer Academy" (training courses)
  • Information on projects and programmes
  • Office of the "engagierte Stadt" network

Click here to visit the "Wir für Bocholt" website, the online presence of the Bocholt Volunteer Agency.

The Bocholt NRW Volunteer Card

Bocholt Volunteer Card

© Stadt Bocholt

Civic engagement deserves recognition and appreciation!

That is why the North Rhine-Westphalian state government, together with many towns, districts and local authorities across the state, has introduced a state-wide Volunteer Card.

In Bocholt, too, deserving citizens who volunteer to help others can be awarded a Volunteer Card.

The Volunteer Card is an expression of appreciation for the significant voluntary work carried out by citizens and combines this recognition with a practical benefit.

People who devote a significant amount of their time to the common good can use the card to access various services offered by public, charitable and private organisations at a reduced rate.

In addition to the many benefits offered by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Volunteer Card also provides access to numerous offers from the city of Bocholt and, above all, from partners in the local business community, clubs and cultural institutions.

Application forms:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Volunteer Card?

Through the Volunteer Card, the City of Bocholt, the state government, the other participating local authorities and, above all, business owners and shopkeepers in Bocholt wish to express their appreciation for people who go above and beyond in volunteering for the common good.

The Volunteer Card is the size of a debit card and bears the coats of arms of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Bocholt.

As a token of recognition and appreciation, the Volunteer Card is presented in person in Bocholt by the mayor or his deputy.

What benefits do I get with the Volunteer Card?

Holders of the Bocholt Volunteer Card can enjoy a wide range of attractive discounts in all participating local authorities. These include - depending on the local authority - reduced admission fees for museums, swimming pools and other public leisure facilities, as well as discounts on adult education centre courses, theatre tickets, etc.

Each town contributes its own range of offers. The appeal of the Volunteer Card stems above all from the offers provided by local partners in the private sector, clubs and cultural organisations.

In Bocholt, many partners are already taking part in the Volunteer Card scheme, and new partners - and therefore new offers - are constantly being added.

The city regularly informs Volunteer Card holders of any changes to the offers available.

Current list of sponsors:

AVIE Pharmacy (in the Kaufland building)

  • 10% discount on the entire range (excluding prescription medicines and the statutory co-payment)

Carsten Häußler
Welfenstr. 21
46395 Bocholt
Tel: 02871 2921845
Email: apotheke-im-real-bocholt(at)avie-apotheke(dot)de
www.avie.de/bor-real

Azurit Senior Citizens' Centre

  • A gourmet breakfast once a month (please book in advance)

    Azurit Senior Citizens' Centre, Bocholt
    Böwingsstegge 6-8
    46395 Bocholt
    Tel.: 02871 21930

BBV Media Group

  • Supports the town of Bocholt with the Volunteer Card as a media partner, both editorially and in terms of advertising

BBV Media Group
Editorial Office
Europaplatz 26-28
46399 Bocholt
Tel.: 02871 284-111
Email: redaktion(at)bbv-net(dot)de
www.bbv-net.de

Department of Education and Culture, City of Bocholt

  • 50% discount on all cultural events organised solely by the Department of Culture and Education

Inselbad "Bahia"

  • One free entry (3 hours) per year to the Bahia Water Park
  • You will receive a voucher when you are presented with the Volunteer Card and, in subsequent years, by post
  • Offer valid only for holders of the Bocholt Volunteer Card

Bahia-Bad Bocholt
Hemdener Weg 169
46399 Bocholt
Tel.: 02871 272666
Email: info(at)bahia(dot)de
www.bahia.de

Gudel Hair Centre

  • 20% discount on all services

Kneipp Association Bocholt

  • Once a year, free 6-week participation in the "Nordic Walking Group"

Kneipp Association Bocholt e.V.
Günter Puhe
Im Königsesch 39
46395 Bocholt
Tel.: 02871 13476
Email: info(at)kneippverein-bocholt(dot)de
www.kneippverein-bocholt.de

Association "Leben im Alter"

  • Free multicultural breakfast (once a quarter, 10.00 am to 11.30 am), St. Georg Parish Hall, St. Georg-Platz 1. For enquiries and bookings, please call 01523 2175091 or 0176 12127230.

Leben im Alter e.V.
Andrea Unland
Dortmunder Str. 6
46397 Bocholt
Tel.: 02871 21765691
Email: aunland(at)l-i-a(dot)de
www.l-i-a.de

LWL Textile Museum

  • 50% discount on admission tickets

LWL Textile Museum
Industriestr. 5
46395 Bocholt

Media Markt Bocholt

  • Free delivery and installation of all large appliances

Media Markt Bocholt
Berliner Platz 2
46395 Bocholt
www.mediamarkt.de

Bocholt-Isselburg Music School

  • 2 tickets for the price of 1 for the music school's concerts
  • Inclusion on the Volunteer Card VIP list
  • 10% discount for music pupils who hold the Volunteer Card

Bocholt-Isselburg Music School
Salierstr. 6
46395 Bocholt
Tel.: 02871 2391711

RC 77 Bocholt Cycling Club

  • 50% discount on the entry fee for the mass-participation event "Roseversand RFT" and for the regular cycle tour "Auf alten Schmugglerpfaden"

RC Bocholt 77 e.V.
www.rc77.de

Feldmark-West Shooting Club

  • Free entry to all the shooting club's dance events
  • 50% discount on membership fees

Feldmark-West Shooting Club e.V.
www.schuetzenverein-feldmarkwest.de

Bocholt Senior Citizens' Office

  • Free admission to all events organised by the Senior Citizens' Office (excluding trips)

Bocholt City Senior Citizens' Office
Berliner Platz 2
46395 Bocholt
Telephone: 02871 953-520

Shopping Arcades

  • One hour's free parking daily on the shopping centre's multi-storey car parks (parking tokens can be activated between 9.30 am and 6 pm at the information point on the ground floor)

Shopping Arkaden Bocholt
Berliner Platz 2
46395 Bocholt
www.arkaden-bocholt.de

Bocholt Municipal Library

  • 50% discount on the annual fees for the Bocholt Municipal Library

Bocholt Municipal Library
Hindenburgstraße 5
46395 Bocholt
https://stadtbibliothek.bocholt.de

Bocholt Town Museum (currently closed)

  • Free admission to the Bocholt Town Museum (plus one accompanying person)

Bocholt Town Museum
Osterstraße 66
46397 Bocholt
www.stadtmuseum-bocholt.de

Bocholt Municipal Savings Bank

  • 50% discount on current account maintenance fees (monthly flat rate)
  • A €5 discount on tickets for all events for which Stadtsparkasse Bocholt is involved in advance ticket sales.

Stadtsparkasse Bocholt
Neutorplatz 1
46395 Bocholt
www.stadtsparkasse-bocholt.de

Bocholt Municipal Theatre

  • 50% discount when purchasing a ticket for any event at Bocholt Municipal Theatre (ticket non-transferable)

Bocholt Municipal Theatre
Meckenemstraße 10
46395 Bocholt
www.stadttheater-bocholt.de

Super-Wasch Car Wash

  • €1.50 discount on every wash programme

Super-Wasch GmbH
Franzstr. 29
46395 Bocholt

Bocholt Dance Centre

  • 20% discount on all dance classes on offer

Bocholt Dance Centre
Friedrich-Wilhelm-Str. 1
46397 Bocholt
www.tanz-center.de


INTAKT Dance School

  • A voucher worth 20 euros for any of the dance courses on offer. The voucher is transferable and can, for example, be passed on to children or grandchildren

INTAKT Dance School
Westend 31-39
Tel.: 02871 7076
Email: info(at)tanzschule-intakt(dot)de
www.tanzschule-intakt.de


Volksbank Bocholt eG

  • 50% discount on account maintenance fees (monthly flat rate)

Volksbank Bocholt
Meckenemsraße 10
46395 Bocholt

www.volksbank-bocholt.de

Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre

  • Free events for holders of the Volunteer Card. Look out for the note "Volunteering" in the Adult Education Centre's programme.
  • Inclusion in the Volunteer Card VIP list with further benefits.

Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre
Bocholt Office
Industriestraße 1
46395 Bocholt

www.vhs-bocholt.de

Requirements for obtaining the Volunteer Card

A fundamental requirement for being awarded the Volunteer Card is a commitment to voluntary or community work averaging at least four hours per week or 200 hours per year, for example within a club, a social organisation or a voluntary association.

The Volunteer Card is intended, in particular, to express gratitude and recognition to those who do not receive any remuneration for their commitment . Only an expense allowance within the limits of the tax-free allowance for the voluntary work allowance (€960) or the instructor's allowance (€3,300) is permitted. Volunteer work must have been carried out for at least one year within the Bocholt area and must be confirmed by the organisation for which you carry out the work.

For holders of the Youth Leader Card (Juleica):

Holders of the Juleica may also apply for the Volunteer Card, provided they have actually taken up voluntary work. The additional conditions listed above do not apply in this case. Please enclose a copy of your Juleica with your application.

Where is the Volunteer Card valid?

The Volunteer Card is valid throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, in all participating local authorities. You can find out which local authorities are already participating in the Volunteer Card scheme at www.ehrensache.nrw.de.

Where can I apply for the Volunteer Card?

You can apply for the Volunteer Card at the City of Bocholt's Volunteer Agency.

The application and renewal forms can be found further up on this page. You can also apply for the card digitally via the "Ehrenamtskarte NRW" app or link an existing card.

How long is the Volunteer Card valid for?

The Volunteer Card is valid for two years from the date of issue. The Volunteer Card can be renewed once it has expired. To do so, you must submit a renewal application.

How much does the Volunteer Card cost?

The Volunteer Card is issued free of charge by the City of Bocholt to volunteers. It is a token of appreciation for all those who devote a considerable amount of their time and energy to volunteering for our community, thereby contributing to the common good.

Volunteer Card Application Form

You will find the application forms further down this page.

A digital app instead of a plastic card

The new "Ehrenamtskarte NRW" app is available to volunteers. This not only makes it easy to download the volunteer card onto a smartphone or tablet in Bocholt and present it, but also simplifies the process of applying for or renewing the volunteer card. A written application on paper will no longer be necessary in future.

Holders of the Volunteer Card are already benefiting from more than 4,700 discounts and special offers across the state. With this new digital service - the only one of its kind in Germany - the 'thank you' offers can be accessed on the go at any time via location-based services. The app also allows users to view directions to the offers via the in-app navigation feature.

The app is available for the two most common mobile operating systems, iOS and Android. It can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

The NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card

Anyone who has been involved in voluntary work for at least 25 years is eligible to receive this special award or to be nominated for it.

The NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card is a token of recognition for long-standing civic engagement and a small token of appreciation from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for all those who give of their time voluntarily in their spare time.

What is the Anniversary Volunteer Card?

The town of Bocholt also issues the NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card, which is valid indefinitely, thereby offering, alongside the NRW Volunteer Card, a further means of recognising long-term voluntary work. To be eligible for an NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card, an individual must have been involved in voluntary work for at least 25 years. This work may have been carried out across various organisations.

It is also intended for long-standing volunteers who do not, or no longer, meet the required weekly total of five hours of voluntary work.

If the commitment has been interrupted at any point - for example, whilst raising children or providing care - this will be taken into account. Once issued, the NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card is valid for life and therefore does not need to be renewed or reapplied for. With the NRW Anniversary Volunteer Card, it is possible for associations or organisations to nominate volunteers who should be awarded this card.

The same benefits as those offered by the NRW Volunteer Card can be claimed.

Heimat Prize 2026

322582P

The town of Bocholt is now inviting applications for the 2026 Local Heritage Award. Local associations, initiatives and projects can apply for the prize money, which totals 5,000 euros. Through this award, the state initiative recognises the wide range of voluntary work carried out locally.

Further information

Club Fair 2026

17 December 2025_Christmas lights_City centre_Press Service

On 27 September, as part of the popular Sunday shopping event "Bokeltsen Treff%$, the 2nd Bocholt Clubs Fair will take place in and around the shopping arcades. Visitors are warmly invited from 1 pm onwards to discover the diversity of Bocholt's club scene at the fair and to chat with the clubs. There will also be plenty of activities, both big and small, taking place as part of the fair.

Further information

Volunteer Academy

Our current range of courses