Social Design Works to Host Summer Welfare Internship 'Gachamaze Seminar' Connecting Students with the Community

Social Design Works (Headquarters: Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture; Representative Director & CEO: Takeshi Kitayama) will host the 'Gachamaze Seminar - Five Days Connecting with the Community' as its 2026 summer internship program.

This program is a hands-on internship that collaborates with welfare facilities and organizations active in the local community, including the disability welfare facility 'SOCIALSQUARE,' enabling participants to experience diverse forms of welfare and human connections within the region.

Over the course of five days, participants will attend welfare lectures and gain on-site experience at multiple facilities. On the final day, they will plan and operate a community event for local residents.

The program is open to students and early-career individuals (up to approximately 30 years old). Participation is welcome not only for those studying welfare but also for anyone interested in community development or human interaction. Participation is free of charge, with a capacity of approximately 10 participants.

About the Facility-Based Internship 'Gachamaze Seminar'

The 'Gachamaze Seminar,' being held for the first time, is a five-day practical internship that allows participants to experience diverse approaches to welfare and community engagement through lectures, on-site experiences, and planning and operating a local exchange event—not just passive learning.

A key feature of this program is its collaboration with multiple welfare facilities and local organizations, enabling participants to encounter diverse perspectives and values that cannot be gained from a single organization.

The five-day program is structured as follows:

Day 1

Learning about welfare and planning the event

- Lecture on diverse welfare services

- Planning the community exchange event to be held on the final day

Days 2–4

On-site experience

- On-site experience at multiple welfare facilities and partner organizations

- Exposure to various support services and activities

Day 5

Hosting the community exchange event

- Participants operate the event they planned

- Reflection, feedback, and closing party

Additionally, Social Design Works is hosting online information sessions for those interested in the internship. These sessions will introduce the organization's overview and program details, and include dialogues with staff members. They are open not only to those considering participation but also to anyone interested in welfare or community development.

Information Session Schedule - July 20 (Mon), 10:00– - August 11 (Tue), 10:00– - August 27 (Thu), 19:00–

▼ For program details and reservation methods, please visit the link below (reservation required) https://sdws.jp/report/5577/

Background of the Gachamaze Seminar

In recent years, students have had few opportunities to engage with local community activities or welfare sites. Meanwhile, welfare sites are increasingly required to solve problems through diverse human and community connections.

Social Design Works aims to realize a society 'where differences in one's hometown do not lead to life inequalities and more people never give up,' operating disability welfare facilities 'SOCIALSQUARE' nationwide. Beyond providing welfare services, the organization collaborates with various local groups and individuals to create opportunities where diverse people can meet and learn from each other.

As part of these initiatives, the 'Gachamaze Seminar' has been planned as a practical internship that collaborates not with just one facility but with multiple welfare facilities and local organizations, allowing participants to experience diverse forms of welfare with the entire community as the field.

Through this internship, participants will meet diverse individuals active in the community, practically learn about welfare and community engagement, broaden their perspectives, and gain inspiration for their future careers. The program also aims to deepen understanding of and interest in welfare, nurture talent who can actively contribute to their communities, and create new community connections.

Event Overview

Event Name: Gachamaze Seminar - Five Days Connecting with the Community

Dates: August 31 (Mon), September 1 (Tue), September 2 (Thu), September 3 (Thu), and September 5 (Sat), 2026 — total of 5 days

Duration: 5 days

Venue: Soka area, Saitama Prefecture (SOCIAL SQUARE and partner external organizations)

Target Audience: Students to early-career individuals (up to approximately 30 years old)

Capacity: Approximately 10 participants

Participation Fee: Free (Note: No compensation, transportation reimbursement, or meal allowances provided)

Application Period: July 3 (Fri), 2026 – August 17 (Mon), 2026 Note: First deadline August 3 (Mon) / Final deadline August 17 (Mon)

Application Method: https://sdws.jp/report/5765/

Selection Method: Document screening via application form

Partner Organizations: - NPO Corporation believe (including Type B Supported Employment facilities) - NPO Corporation Japan Improvement Association (including Type B Supported Employment facilities) - Carepro Home Nursing Station Saitama (home nursing) - Hangover Co., Ltd. (event planning)

Eligibility Requirements: - Must be a new or early-career graduate (up to age 30) - Must be able to attend all five days (please consult if full attendance is difficult) - Must be able to travel to Soka City for all five days

For more details about the Gachamaze Seminar, visit:

Future Outlook

Social Design Works plans to continue hosting the 'Gachamaze Seminar' regularly, creating opportunities for participants to engage with welfare and community activities and encounter diverse values and people.

Additionally, using the Soka area program as a model, the organization aims to expand the internship to SOCIALSQUARE locations nationwide, implementing internship programs tailored to each region's characteristics.

Furthermore, the organization plans to continuously provide networking opportunities among participants and alumni, working toward building a community where people can remain engaged with welfare and their communities even after the internship ends.

Going forward, the organization will continue expanding collaborations with universities and local organizations to create opportunities for 'community-integrated welfare experiences' that nurture students collectively, fostering talent who can actively contribute within their communities.

Comment from the Organizer

Natsumi Tajima, Recruitment and Public Relations

This 'Gachamaze Seminar' is a new initiative for us—an internship program unlike any we've done before.

Opportunities for participants to directly experience welfare and community activities are limited. That's why we've designed this program to go beyond a single framework, collaborating with multiple welfare facilities and local organizations in the Soka area to create an immersive experience with the entire community as the stage.

This program welcomes not only those who have studied or are studying welfare, but also anyone interested in 'community development,' 'solving social issues,' or 'working with people,' regardless of academic background or experience.

We are excited to see what new chemistry and events will emerge when members with diverse perspectives—both with and without welfare backgrounds—come together and truly become 'gachamaze' (mixed together).

We sincerely look forward to applications from everyone who wants to 'try something new' or 'find inspiration for their future and career path.'

Inquiries Regarding This Announcement

Social Design Works (NPO Corporation) Recruitment and Public Relations: Tajima, Omori

Email: recruit@sdws.jp

About Social Design Works (NPO Corporation)

Social Design Works operates disability welfare facilities 'SOCIALSQUARE (Social Square)